COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Tami Neilson and Matt Langley Strike Country Gold in Gore

The nation’s biggest awards night on the country music calendar has seen the gongs handed out for Best Country Music Album and Best Country Song of 2010 at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore tonight (June 4).

Tami Neilson has followed up her 2009 win by picking up the Recording Industry Association (RIANZ) Best Country Music Album while Matt Langley has taken out the APRA Best Country Song for 2010.

Auckland-based Neilson’s ‘The Kitchen Table Sessions’ took out the award ahead of other finalists The Bads for ‘So Alive’ and The Topp Twins for ‘Honky Tonk Angel’.

Meanwhile, Dunedin-based singer-songwriter, Matt Langley scooped the APRA Best Country Song for 2010 for ‘7:13’ from his first full-length album ‘FEATHERBONES’.



The other finalists for the APRA Best Country Song of 2010 were Dianne Swann (The Bads) for ‘So Alive’ and Jools Topp (The Topp Twins) for ‘Honky Tonk Angel’.


Best Country Album

‘The Kitchen Table Sessions’ features guest performances by members of the Neilson family and includes several blue grass takes on classic songs such as 'Slice of Heaven', ‘Salty Dog Blues’ and ‘I fall to Pieces’.

Tami is no stranger to the Country Music Awards with her album ‘Red Dirt Angel’ winning Best Country Music Album last year. Her single ‘Cry Myself to Sleep’ was also a finalist for the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Best Country Song Award.

Canadian-born Neilson’s soulful take on country music has seen her carve a solid following in both New Zealand and Australia.

Having toured Canada with her parents’ band as a young girl, Tami is used to living life on the move. As well as and several stints in Australia and New Zealand, she recently finished the ‘Saints and Sinners’ tour of New Zealand, which received rave reviews. Tami will also be touring Canada in July.

Best Country Song

Dunedin-based singer / songwriter Matt Langley’s ‘7:13’ features on his first full length album ‘FEATHERBONES’, to be released through local indie label Hometown Records in New Zealand later this year. Songs featured on the album encompass a broad spectrum of influences from rock to folk, blues and country.

Langley’s unique take on blues, folk, country and rock first caught the attention of critics when he released his debut E.P. ‘Lost Companions’ in 2007.

Despite dedicating most of 2009 to recording his new album, Langley has continued to tour New Zealand with his most recent performances taking place in his home town of Dunedin.

Well-deserved recognition

RIANZ CEO Campbell Smith says Tami’s win highlights the calibre of country music artists in New Zealand.

“This is Tami’s second Tui in as many years and that in itself shows just how talented and prolific she is as an artist. She is a wonderful asset to our local country music scene and is very deserving of the recognition that taking home a Tui brings.”



Ant Healey, director of New Zealand operations for APRA, says: “We have a uniquely Kiwi take on country music in New Zealand and each year it’s exciting for us to see what local writers are producing. It’s great to see excellent musicians such as Tami and Matt being recognised for their contribution to a great genre of music.”

Attracting more than 5,000 country music fans during the festival, Gore’s Gold Guitar week is in its 37th year. For more information visit: www.goldguitars.co.nz