The Moment it Changed

From Popstars to Australian Idol, music reality TV promised to turn ordinary singers into national icons — but what was the real price of fame?  Judges Ian “Dicko” Dickson and Mark Holden lift the lid on the controversies, iconic moments, and impact that reality TV had on Australia’s music industry.   And former contestants Casey Donovan and Rob “Millsy...

The spotlight, drama and pressure on contestants are cranked up when The X Factor debuts in Australia.  Singer songwriters Dami Im and Bella Ferraro were among hopefuls chasing their dreams on this much-hyped show under the gaze of big name judges.  In this episode, they each share the challenges they faced behind the scenes during competition and from demanding record labels once the sp...

The Voice Australia set out to rewrite the rules – blind auditions judged on talent alone. But did it really change the narrative, or just end up falling into the same patterns of shows before it?  Karise Eden, The Voice Australia’s inaugural winner, unpacks the very real impact the narrative producers chose for her had on her relationships, the harsh aftermath of victory, and wha...

Shows like Australian Idol, The X Factor, and The Voice told the nation anyone could be a superstar. So why do so many winners seem to vanish as quickly as they appear? In the latest season of The Moment it Changed - 'Touchdown', former contestants, judges and producers are lifting the lid on music reality television. Join Host Nic Kelly to uncover the impact reality television had on the music in...

Before Michael Gudinski became the media mogul behind the Mushroom empire, he was a teenager with a dream to make it big in music. But Michael didn’t want to be a musician, he wanted to run the show. Michael’s daughter Kate Gudinski goes back to where it all started, a young Michael booking bands to play gigs around Melbourne in the late 1960s. After dropping out of school and getting...

When Michael Gudinski launches Mushroom Records in 1972, the label scores some early hit singles but costs quickly pile up and Mushroom nearly goes bankrupt. However, Mushroom’s financial troubles turn around when Michael discovers a colourful new band called Skyhooks. Not only would Skyhooks pull Mushroom Records out of the red, they'd help set Michael Gudinski up as the music mogul the wor...

It’s the late 1970s and Michael Gudinski’s vision of a thriving Australian music scene has come true. Michael’s now a leading tour promoter and booking the hottest Aussie bands to play gigs around the country. Michael’s success doesn’t go unnoticed. A war between music promoters is brewing and they want to knock Michael off the top. While battling the local competitio...

Michael sells Mushroom Records to billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Twice. Kate Gudinski takes you inside the deal where Michael sold his beloved record label and then, according to some, outsmarted one of the wealthiest men in the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world of live music is shut down overnight when the COVID-19 pandemic strikes in early 2020. Michael, whose spent the last 50 years going to gigs every other night, must find a way to keep Mushroom afloat and his artists working. Michael's hustling to keep the industry alive during Covid would be one of his last acts as a champion for Australian music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

The Moment it Changed: Gudinski is a five-part podcast series that tells a new side to the story of the late music mogul, Michael Gudinski. Hosted by Michael's daughter Kate Gudinski, the series unpacks her father’s legacy from signing Aussie icons like Kylie Minogue and Jimmy Barnes to touring superstars like Madonna and The Rolling Stones around Australia. Kate explores what drove Michael'...