Seasoned performers vying for another notch on their belts and rising young stars converged on Club Waimea in Richmond for the NZ Sun City Country Music Awards, for places in the next New Zealand Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year and to showcase the enduring spirit of the genre.
About 100 threw their hats in the ring across tiny tots, under-18, junior, intermediate, senior and veteran categories during the long weekend event, performing country rock, original songs, Kiwi numbers and gospels as smooth as Tennessee Whiskey.
It was Maggie Quinn’s fourth rodeo at the awards across a myriad of categories which included a moving performance of her original song, Bittersweet Tears, which the 15-year-old from Rangihaeata penned about a recent “traumatic” loss.
“Millie was 10 [a British Bulldog]… she ran away and she fell into a river below my property, and we found her out at Patons Rock Beach about two or three weeks later.”
“They say dogs are a man's best friend, and I haven't really experienced anything like that before, so it was quite a lot, it was so traumatic, and it inspired me to write the song, and I'm really glad I did.
“Every country song is a story, and I think that's one of the most beautiful things about it, you can really feel that it’s heartfelt.”
And what a debut it was for Sally Jansen van Vuuren, who returned to Redwood Valley with the veteran novice gong for her performance of Dear Insecurity by Brandy Clark.
“It’s talking to all of us who have those voices in our head that say you’re not good enough, you don’t fit in, you can’t sing, and it just feels like a really, really poignant song,” Sally says.
“I chose it because it affects all of us in different ways, even people who feel very secure will have their own insecurities. The more we acknowledge them, the better."
Sally also earned a highly recommended award for her rendition of Bread and Water by Kiwi country musician Aroha Williams, a brave choice given Aroha was in the audience.
NZ Sun City Country Music Awards convener Jim Palmer says all 400 performance slots were filled less than 24 hours after entries opened mid-year.
He was particularly impressed by the number of young performers taking part.
“There's a lot more people interested in country music, and a lot of younger people are keen, and so they are starting to come through the ranks and push up the seniors,” Jim says.
“When you're walking around and you see all the young kids running around and all the gear ready to sing, that's really special.
“Everybody's saying it's been a really well-run event, and it's full on, but people are already booking their accommodation for next year.”
Jim also took his hat off to Nelson Pine Industries, Tasman District Council, Network Tasman Trust, and Pub Charity for hitting the right note as event sponsors.
As the curtain fell on a whirlwind of boots, buckles and ballads, it was the abiding love of country music that proved the real prize.
