The 20th annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAS) were held on 29 October 2006 at the Acer Arena at the Sydney Olympic Park complex. Presenters on the night included James Mathison, Johnny Knoxville, Jesse McCartney and John Mayer.
Axle Whitehead controversy
Video Hits host Axle Whitehead exposed himself and simulated masturbation on an ARIA trophy as the winners of the awards for Highest Selling Single and Highest Selling Album made their way to the stage in front of an audience of up to 10,000. The incident was edited from the telecast of the awards. Whitehead announced three days after the awards that he had resigned from Network Ten.
Awards and nominations
Winners are highlighted in bold, other final nominees shown in plain.
ARIA Awards
Album of the Year
Bernard Fanning – Tea and Sympathy
Augie March – Moo, You Bloody Choir
Eskimo Joe – Black Fingernails, Red Wine
The Sleepy Jackson – Personality – One Was a Spider, One Was a Bird
Wolfmother – Wolfmother
Single of the Year
Eskimo Joe – "Black Fingernails, Red Wine" Augie March – "One Crowded Hour" Bernard Fanning – "Watch Over Me" Wolfmother – "Mind's Eye" Youth Group – "Forever Young" Best Female Artist Clare Bowditch – What Was Left Holly Throsby – Under the Town Jade MacRae – Jade MacRae Jen Cloher – Dead Wood Falls Kasey Chambers – "Nothing at All" Best Male Artist Bernard Fanning – Tea and Sympathy Ben Lee – "We're All in This Together" Bob Evans – Suburban Songbook Dan Kelly & the Alpha Males – Pirate Radio Pete Murray – See the Sun Best Group Wolfmother – Wolfmother Augie March – Moo, You Bloody Choir Eskimo Joe – Black Fingernails, Red Wine Rogue Traders – Here Come the Drums The Living End – State of Emergency Highest Selling Album Human Nature – Reach Out: The Motown Record Bernard Fanning – Tea and Sympathy Pete Murray – See the Sun Rogue Traders – Here Come the Drums The Veronicas – The Secret Life Of... Highest Selling Single TV Rock featuring Seany B – "Flaunt It" Kate DeAraugo – "Maybe Tonight" Lee Harding – "Wasabi" Shannon Noll – "Shine" Youth Group – "Forever Young" Best Breakthrough Artist – Album Wolfmother – Wolfmother Hilltop Hoods – The Hard Road Rogue Traders – Here Come the Drums The Grates – Gravity Won't Get You High The Veronicas – The Secret Life Of... Breakthrough Artist – Single Youth Group – "Forever Young" Gyroscope – "Fast Girl" Hilltop Hoods – "Clown Prince" Sneaky Sound System – "I Love It" TV Rock featuring Seany B – "Flaunt It" Starky – "Hey Bang Bang" Best Adult Contemporary Album Bob Evans – Suburban Songbook Human Nature – Reach Out: The Motown Record Tex, Don and Charlie – All Is Forgiven The Whitlams – Little Cloud Various Artists – She Will Have Her Way: The Songs of Tim & Neil Finn Best Blues & Roots Album The Audreys – Between Last Night and Us Bernard Fanning – Tea and Sympathy Lior – Doorways of My Mind The Flood – The Late Late Show Xavier Rudd – Food in the Belly Best Children's Album The Wiggles – Racing to the Rainbow Hi-5 – Wish Upon a Star Justine Clarke – I Like to Sing! The Fairies – Fairy Magic The Hooley Dooleys - Smile Best Comedy Release Lano and Woodley – Sing Songs Carl Barron – Whatever Comes Next DVD Matt Tilley – Cereal Pest The Shambles – Best of Series One & Two Best Country Album Troy Cassar-Daley – Brighter Day Adam Brand – What a Life Anne Kirkpatrick – Showman's Daughter Catherine Britt – Too Far Gone Lee Kernaghan – The New Bush Best Dance Release TV Rock featuring Seany B – Flaunt It Dirty South – Dirty South EP Paul Mac – Panic Room Sneaky Sound System – "I Love It" The Presets – Beams Best Independent Release Hilltop Hoods – The Hard Road Ben Lee – "We're All in This Together" Gotye – Like Drawing Blood The John Butler Trio – Live at St. Gallen Lior – Doorways of My Mind Best Music DVD Eskimo Joe – Eskimo Joe Hilltop Hoods – The Calling Live Kylie Minogue – Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour Missy Higgins – If You Tell Me Yours, I'll Tell You Mine The Go-Betweens – That Striped Sunlight Sound Best Pop Release The Veronicas – The Secret Life of... Ben Lee – Into the Dark EP Josh Pyke – Feeding the Wolves Rogue Traders – Here Come the Drums Shannon Noll – Lift Best Rock Album Wolfmother – Wolfmother Augie March – Moo, You Bloody Choir Eskimo Joe – Black Fingernails, Red Wine The Living End – State of Emergency You Am I – Convicts Best Urban Release Hilltop Hoods – The Hard Road Bliss n Eso – "Up Jumped the Boogie" Jade MacRae – Jade MacRae Phrase – Talk with Force Weapon X & Ken Hell – Sneakerpimpin' Ain't Easy