K rock program a finalist in national radio awards

A WEEKLY program on Geelong’s K rock 95.5 is one of only four finalists in a category in the 2024 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs).

Great Ocean Odes, presented every Wednesday night by K rock music director Chris Holland, is in the running to win The Gudinski – Australian Music Champion.

The award was only founded last year and is named in honour of the late Mushroom Records founder and Australian music industry titan Michael Gudinski.

“I have had an absolute blast diving head first in to discovering what our local music scene looks like,” Mr Holland said.

“Finding artists I didn’t know about, hearing sounds I’d never heard before, all from people who live in our area.

“Then I get to share that with a wider audience – that’s the rewarding bit.

“That artists get extra ears on the work they’re so passionate about, and hopefully, listeners are hearing music that they, in turn, develop a passion for.”

Mr Holland said he hoped people who heard a local musician on Great Ocean Odes went on to buy a ticket to one of their gigs.

“Or head online to learn more about an artist they liked,” he added.

“I hope we’re helping venues attract more punters, I hope we’re helping people feel that happiness of discovering something new they enjoy.”

K rock 95.5 is also nominated for two other awards on the night – Best Sports Event Coverage Non-Metro (2023 AFL Grand Final) and Best Imaging Producer Non-Metro (Dan King).

The ACRA winners will be revealed in a ceremony in Sydney on October 12.