WAM was originally formed as the Western Australian Rock Music Industry Association Inc. (WARMIA) in 1985, with its main aim to develop and run annual awards recognising achievements within the music industry in Western Australia. WAM first received project funding from the state government in 1989, and in the early 90s the word "rock" was dropped from the title to give the organisation scope to take on a broader constituency.
In 1989 the inaugural WA Song Contest commenced, in 2002 it was rebranded as the WAM Song of the Year.
The WAM Song of the Year is open to all residents of Western Australia. The song must be the original work of the songwriter(s). Songwriters with a publishing deal can only enter the Professional category.
Winners
1985–1988
1989–2002
1996 Grand Prize – Exteria
1997 Grand Prize – Beaverloop
1998 Grand Prize – Cartman
2000 Grand Prize – Ivan Zar
2001 Grand Prize – Halogen
2003
In 2003 there were 1,247 entries and 75 shortlisted nominees in the 15 genre categories. Winners each received $1,000 (Children & Youth winners received $500) and a days recording time at a top Perth studio. The Grand Prize winner received the opportunity to have a promotional single recorded, pressed and released among other select opportunities.
The individual category award winners were: Children – "Something More" – Wesley Fuller Country – "Asbestos Fibro" – ADM Powell Easy Listening Pop/R'n'B – "Back 2 those Timez" – Chanelle Electronic/Hip Hop – "Boy X Girl Y" – Johnson, Vernie Hard Rock/Metal/ Punk – "Reprisal" – Simon Pilkington, Aaron Smith Indi Pop/Rock – "Andy Warhol" – Little Birdy Indigenous – "Raining on Djilba" – George Walley Jazz/ Funk – "That Hurt" – Myles Wright Love – "Walking Over Sea" – Sam Dunn, Ben Dunn Political – "Georgie Boy" – Andrew Horabin Roots – "Sheba Lane" – Lynn Hazelton Songs for Kids – "Pirlpirltji" – L. Hazelton, A. Ovi, S. Stanford Soundtrack/ Filmscore/Experimental – "Green Lantern" – Johannes Luebbers World/Multicultural – "Day Oh" – Eloy Cardenas
2004
The WAM Song of the Year for 2004 was announced at the Fly by Night Club in Fremantle on Thursday 16 September 2004. The evening featured performances from past winners including Andrew Horabin and Lynn Hazelton, as well as finalists for the 2005 competition. The WAM Song of the Year was presented by the Minister for the Arts the Hon. Sheila McHale. There was over 1,300 songs entered in the competition with 75 works nominated by the industry panels as finalists in the 15 genre categories.
The individual category award winners were: Commercial/Contemporary Pop – "Breathe" – Cassie Swinney, Alistair Watson & Escher Country – "Dirty Liar" – Rob Findlay & Haley Mason Electronic/Dance Category – "Hit '5'" – Tim Macnamara & Diego Bosco Hard Rock/Metal – "Bay of Martyrs" – Mike Sukys Indie Rock/Punk Category – "Tread Easy" – The Bank Holidays Jazz – "West Bank Moon" – Michael Pigneguy & Sian Brown Roots – "Slipping With the Blues" – Gerard Maunick Urban – "Wait a Minute" – Tsunami & Nathan Jamieson Love – "Blame Me" – Frans Bisschops, Jasmine Yee & Michael Miller Gospel – "Take Over" – Chad Blondel ASME Upper Secondary (Years 11–12) – "Radio Play" – Melissa Erpen ASME Lower Secondary (Years 8–10) – "Home Sweet Home" – Danni Stefanetti ASME Primary Category – "Sidewalk Surfer" – The Flairz Indigenous – "Hardway" – The Hill (John Bullen, Jarred Wall) Outstanding Regional Song – "Time for You to Go" – Lauren Brede
2005
The WAM Song of the Year for 2005 was announced at the Fly By Night Club in Fremantle on Thursday 27 October 2005. The evening featured performances from past winners including Andrew Horabin and Lynn Hazelton, as well as finalists for the 2005 competition. Performing on the night were The Bank Holidays, Lake of Bass, New Rules For Boats, Peter Brandy, The Flairz and the 2004 Song of the Year winner, Lauren Brede. The WAM Song of the Year was presented by the Minister for the Arts the Hon. Sheila McHale. There were close to 1,500 songs entered in the competition with 86 works nominated by the industry panels as finalists in the 17 genre categories.