EXCLUSIVE: Michael Chugg Will Throw 50th Anniversary Parties In Australia

Music industry veteran Michael Chugg has confirmed that plans are in place to celebrate his 50th year in the industry in Australia, with charity events potentially on the horizon.

Chugg is currently in Austin, Texas, for the South By South West conference, where the first of his 50th anniversary parties are taking place.

He told theMusic.com.au today from Texas, “It's going to be a huge year of celebrations. It's absolutely crazy here in Austin – the vibe is huge and everyone's so ready for the [SxSW] showcase.

“Once this madness is over we'll get back to concentrating on all the ideas we've been plotting for celebrations back home in Australia. We've been talking about some big charity events later in the year and potentially a few other things. Watch this space!”

The 50th anniversary celebrations were revealed when theMusic.com.au broke the news of Chugg Enterainment's label arm Chugg Music's expansion into the American market. With deals in place with Super D/Alliance and Australian company MGM to service North America, the first release was Lime Cordiale's Falling Up the Stairs EP. It debuted in the top 200 of the CMJ college radio charts last week.

Chugg first began in the music industry in 1964 – when he was 15 years old – when he hosted a dance at the Launceston Amateur Cycling Club. In the proceeding years he was a top promoter before branching out and creating his own Chugg Entertainment empire

. He's worked with Elton John, Robbie Williams, Pearl Jam, AC/DC and Fleetwood Mac, and earlier this week many of his friends and associates (including Williams, Eddie Vedder, Neil Finn, Robert Plant and Dallas Green) paid tribute via video at the International Live Music Conference in London.

The official SXSW Chugg Music Showcase will take place at Tenoak, 7pm Thursday 13 March local time, (tomorrow Australian time). Lime Cordiale and The Griswolds will both showcase.