
Apra Best Country Music Song award finalists named
Holly Arrowsmith. Photo: Si Moore
The finalists have been announced for the Apra Best Country Music Song award, with the winner to be announced at the Country Music Honours in Gore on May 23.
The finalists are: 5432 written and performed by Mel Parsons; Blue Dreams written and performed by Holly Arrowsmith; Borrow My Boots written and performed by Tami Neilson, Ashley McBryde and Shelly Fairchild, featuring Grace Bowers.
Parsons won the MLT Songwriting Award last year with Hardest Thing.
She returned to Gore with her nominated song, an expression of love and quiet hope above gnawing self-doubt.
Having toured with Crowded House last year, her latest album Sabotage saw her a finalist for the Taite Music Prize and Aotearoa Music Award finalist for Album of the Year and Best Folk Artist.
Last year's Apra Best Country Song Award winner for Desert Dove, Arrowsmith returns as a finalist with the title track from the album Blue Dreams.
She is a leader in New Zealand's contemporary folk, alt-country and Americana movement, a finalist for the Taite Music Prize and for the upcoming Aotearoa Music Awards for Best Folk Artist.
Blue Dreams delves into life as a first-time parent.
Neilson is no stranger to awards, having won this award five times since 2014, alongside multiple Aotearoa Music Awards, an Apra Silver Scroll and chart-topping success.
Fresh off the back of a tour with Willie Nelson, her next studio album Neon Cowgirl will be released on July 11, followed by US tour supports for Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.
Borrow My Boots was co-written long-distance with US country stars Ashley McBryce and Shelly Fairchild after Neilson's experiences of being lifted up and encouraged by her musical peers in the US.
Apra head of New Zealand operations Anthony Healey said the songs spoke with honesty, power and heart.
— APL
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scoop
10 hours ago
- Scoop
Finalists Announced For 2025 Aotearoa Children's Music Awards
Press Release – Maiden New Zealand The Childrens Music Awards highlight the incredible children's musicians that show us what happens when creativity, imagination, fun and music collide in a uniquely Kiwi way. Welcome to the most entertaining, toe-tapping, imaginative Awards in Aotearoa, the 2025 Aotearoa Children's Music Awards | Ngā Manu Tīrairaka. Announced today, finalists will be celebrated at the annual Awards on Sunday 29 June at Tuning Fork, Tāmaki Makaurau. For the first time, public will also be able to purchase tickets to a very special CMAs Sounds Fun pre-event hosted by Suzy Cato. The Children's Music Awards highlight the incredible children's musicians that show us what happens when creativity, imagination, fun and music collide in a uniquely Kiwi way. Behind the music is education, and through this year's finalists we learn that – yes, you can be a fairy even if you have hairy toes, and that the best way to escape cardigan-wearing slugs is, of course, to get out and about. We have glowworms lighting up orchestras, lessons in Tongan and Māori, mindful pirates reminding us to breathe even when you can't find any clean underwear – and Kiri and Lou prove once again that you can never have too much Anika Moa. Through waiata, our finalists share with our smallest people with the biggest hearts, that being different is what makes us special. The buzz is building, and the spotlight is ready — come along as we celebrate the incredible finalists of the 2025 Aotearoa Children's Music Awards | Ngā Manu Tīrairaka! Be sure to buckle up, it might get a little wiggly ahead. Drum roll please… APRA Best Children's Song – Preschool | He Manu Pīpī finalists: Can I Be A Fairy? written by Rosalind Manowitz and Levity Beet, performed by Rainbow Rosalind and Levity Beet Lele Means Run written by Siu Williams-Lemi, performed by Leah Williams-Partington and Siu Williams-Lemi of Loopy Tunes Preschool Music Shamalama written by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair (Kiri and Lou), performed by Anika Moa, Jemaine Clement and Olivia Tennet APRA Best Children's Song – Primary | He Pī Ka Rere finalists: Little Taniwha written by Siu Williams-Lemi and Thomas O'Connor, performed by Leah Williams-Partington and Siu Williams-Lemi of Loopy Tunes Preschool Music Out & About written by Steph Brown, performed by Spellodies Shapes and Colours written by Michal Bush, performed by Music with Michal NZ On Air Best Children's Music Video | He Manu Tūtei finalists: Breathe written by Rich Manic, performed by Captain Festus McBoyle, video written and directed by Larissa Lofley and produced by Pea-knuckle Productions The Maui Dolphin written by Siu Williams-Lemi, performed by Leah Williams-Partington and Siu Williams-Lemi of Loopy Tunes Preschool Music, animation by Ross Payne Turn Planet, Turn written by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair (Kiri and Lou), performed by Jemaine Clement and Olivia Tennet, video directed by Harry Sinclair Recorded Music NZ Te Manu Taki Kerekahu o te Tau | Best Children's Artist finalists: Chris Sanders and Auckland Philharmonia for 'Hana the Glowworm' Levity Beet 'Levity Beet and the Aotearoa All Stars' Loopy Tunes Preschool Music for 'Kahurangi – Little Treasures' Kōkako finalists for Best Children's Performer presented by Kiwi Kids Music, NZ Opera and Auckland Philharmonia: Aiden Gao performing 'Take Me to The End' – aged 8 years Emery Goodwin performing 'Enjoy The Ride' – aged 10 years Naledi Mhuka performing 'Catch Me On My Vibe' – aged 11 years Sophie Jack performing 'New Zealand Memories' – aged 8 years Yumi Chen performing 'Never Back Down' – aged 9 years Recently honoured in the King's Birthday Honours as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her contributions to children's programming, music, and education, Suzy Cato – curator of the Children's Music Awards, and a beloved NZ children's music writer, author, and broadcaster – is thrilled with the flourishing state of Aotearoa's children's music community. She is especially excited that, for the first time, a live event will be open to the public, allowing even more people to experience the magic of children's music firsthand. 'The New Zealand children's music industry continues to go from strength to strength, fuelled by the passion of our singer-songwriters to create quality children's content, and the generous support of NZ On Air's music and content funding,' says Cato. 'The number of collaborations this past year has given the industry such a boost, too, as more and more audiences are hearing songs created specifically for them. We're thrilled to open the performance side of the Awards event to the public this year, with performances from all finalists in one way or another. And as we dance, sing, and party our way towards the 10th Aotearoa Children's Music Awards in 2026, we look forward to creating an even bigger, 'funner' event for all involved.' Presented by Recorded Music NZ, APRA AMCOS NZ, and NZ On Air, the awards have the support of Kiwi Kids Music, the national association of children's songwriters, creators and producers. Formed by some of the most passionate creators of music for kiwi kids, the association supports NZ children's music creators and seeks to advance the potential of all our children to live healthy fulfilling lives. Finalists will perform in a Sounds Fun event, at 10am Sunday 29 June at the Tuning Fork, Spark Arena – tickets available from Moshtix. Winners will be announced at an invite only ceremony at Tuning Fork, that afternoon. The show will be hosted by Suzy Cato with awards presented by tamariki from across Aotearoa, with plenty of fun and games for those special guests before the Award ceremony begins!


Scoop
11 hours ago
- Scoop
Finalists Announced For 2025 Aotearoa Children's Music Awards
Press Release – Maiden New Zealand Welcome to the most entertaining, toe-tapping, imaginative Awards in Aotearoa, the 2025 Aotearoa Children's Music Awards | Ngā Manu Tīrairaka. Announced today, finalists will be celebrated at the annual Awards on Sunday 29 June at Tuning Fork, Tāmaki Makaurau. For the first time, public will also be able to purchase tickets to a very special CMAs Sounds Fun pre-event hosted by Suzy Cato. The Children's Music Awards highlight the incredible children's musicians that show us what happens when creativity, imagination, fun and music collide in a uniquely Kiwi way. Behind the music is education, and through this year's finalists we learn that – yes, you can be a fairy even if you have hairy toes, and that the best way to escape cardigan-wearing slugs is, of course, to get out and about. We have glowworms lighting up orchestras, lessons in Tongan and Māori, mindful pirates reminding us to breathe even when you can't find any clean underwear – and Kiri and Lou prove once again that you can never have too much Anika Moa. Through waiata, our finalists share with our smallest people with the biggest hearts, that being different is what makes us special. The buzz is building, and the spotlight is ready — come along as we celebrate the incredible finalists of the 2025 Aotearoa Children's Music Awards | Ngā Manu Tīrairaka! Be sure to buckle up, it might get a little wiggly ahead. Drum roll please… APRA Best Children's Song – Preschool | He Manu Pīpī finalists: Can I Be A Fairy? written by Rosalind Manowitz and Levity Beet, performed by Rainbow Rosalind and Levity Beet Lele Means Run written by Siu Williams-Lemi, performed by Leah Williams-Partington and Siu Williams-Lemi of Loopy Tunes Preschool Music Shamalama written by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair (Kiri and Lou), performed by Anika Moa, Jemaine Clement and Olivia Tennet APRA Best Children's Song – Primary | He Pī Ka Rere finalists: Little Taniwha written by Siu Williams-Lemi and Thomas O'Connor, performed by Leah Williams-Partington and Siu Williams-Lemi of Loopy Tunes Preschool Music Out & About written by Steph Brown, performed by Spellodies Shapes and Colours written by Michal Bush, performed by Music with Michal NZ On Air Best Children's Music Video | He Manu Tūtei finalists: Breathe written by Rich Manic, performed by Captain Festus McBoyle, video written and directed by Larissa Lofley and produced by Pea-knuckle Productions The Maui Dolphin written by Siu Williams-Lemi, performed by Leah Williams-Partington and Siu Williams-Lemi of Loopy Tunes Preschool Music, animation by Ross Payne Turn Planet, Turn written by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair (Kiri and Lou), performed by Jemaine Clement and Olivia Tennet, video directed by Harry Sinclair Recorded Music NZ Te Manu Taki Kerekahu o te Tau | Best Children's Artist finalists: Chris Sanders and Auckland Philharmonia for 'Hana the Glowworm' Levity Beet 'Levity Beet and the Aotearoa All Stars' Loopy Tunes Preschool Music for 'Kahurangi – Little Treasures' Kōkako finalists for Best Children's Performer presented by Kiwi Kids Music, NZ Opera and Auckland Philharmonia: Aiden Gao performing 'Take Me to The End' – aged 8 years Emery Goodwin performing 'Enjoy The Ride' – aged 10 years Naledi Mhuka performing 'Catch Me On My Vibe' – aged 11 years Sophie Jack performing 'New Zealand Memories' – aged 8 years Yumi Chen performing 'Never Back Down' – aged 9 years Recently honoured in the King's Birthday Honours as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her contributions to children's programming, music, and education, Suzy Cato – curator of the Children's Music Awards, and a beloved NZ children's music writer, author, and broadcaster – is thrilled with the flourishing state of Aotearoa's children's music community. She is especially excited that, for the first time, a live event will be open to the public, allowing even more people to experience the magic of children's music firsthand. 'The New Zealand children's music industry continues to go from strength to strength, fuelled by the passion of our singer-songwriters to create quality children's content, and the generous support of NZ On Air's music and content funding,' says Cato. 'The number of collaborations this past year has given the industry such a boost, too, as more and more audiences are hearing songs created specifically for them. We're thrilled to open the performance side of the Awards event to the public this year, with performances from all finalists in one way or another. And as we dance, sing, and party our way towards the 10th Aotearoa Children's Music Awards in 2026, we look forward to creating an even bigger, 'funner' event for all involved.' Presented by Recorded Music NZ, APRA AMCOS NZ, and NZ On Air, the awards have the support of Kiwi Kids Music, the national association of children's songwriters, creators and producers. Formed by some of the most passionate creators of music for kiwi kids, the association supports NZ children's music creators and seeks to advance the potential of all our children to live healthy fulfilling lives. Finalists will perform in a Sounds Fun event, at 10am Sunday 29 June at the Tuning Fork, Spark Arena – tickets available from Moshtix. Winners will be announced at an invite only ceremony at Tuning Fork, that afternoon. The show will be hosted by Suzy Cato with awards presented by tamariki from across Aotearoa, with plenty of fun and games for those special guests before the Award ceremony begins!


Scoop
12 hours ago
- Scoop
Finalists Announced For 2025 Aotearoa Children's Music Awards
Welcome to the most entertaining, toe-tapping, imaginative Awards in Aotearoa, the 2025 Aotearoa Children's Music Awards | Ngā Manu Tīrairaka. Announced today, finalists will be celebrated at the annual Awards on Sunday 29 June at Tuning Fork, Tāmaki Makaurau. For the first time, public will also be able to purchase tickets to a very special CMAs Sounds Fun pre-event hosted by Suzy Cato. The Children's Music Awards highlight the incredible children's musicians that show us what happens when creativity, imagination, fun and music collide in a uniquely Kiwi way. Behind the music is education, and through this year's finalists we learn that – yes, you can be a fairy even if you have hairy toes, and that the best way to escape cardigan-wearing slugs is, of course, to get out and about. We have glowworms lighting up orchestras, lessons in Tongan and Māori, mindful pirates reminding us to breathe even when you can't find any clean underwear – and Kiri and Lou prove once again that you can never have too much Anika Moa. Through waiata, our finalists share with our smallest people with the biggest hearts, that being different is what makes us special. The buzz is building, and the spotlight is ready — come along as we celebrate the incredible finalists of the 2025 Aotearoa Children's Music Awards | Ngā Manu Tīrairaka! Be sure to buckle up, it might get a little wiggly ahead. Drum roll please... APRA Best Children's Song - Preschool | He Manu Pīpī finalists: Can I Be A Fairy? written by Rosalind Manowitz and Levity Beet, performed by Rainbow Rosalind and Levity Beet Lele Means Run written by Siu Williams-Lemi, performed by Leah Williams-Partington and Siu Williams-Lemi of Loopy Tunes Preschool Music Shamalama written by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair (Kiri and Lou), performed by Anika Moa, Jemaine Clement and Olivia Tennet APRA Best Children's Song - Primary | He Pī Ka Rere finalists: Little Taniwha written by Siu Williams-Lemi and Thomas O'Connor, performed by Leah Williams-Partington and Siu Williams-Lemi of Loopy Tunes Preschool Music Out & About written by Steph Brown, performed by Spellodies Shapes and Colours written by Michal Bush, performed by Music with Michal NZ On Air Best Children's Music Video | He Manu Tūtei finalists: Breathe written by Rich Manic, performed by Captain Festus McBoyle, video written and directed by Larissa Lofley and produced by Pea-knuckle Productions The Maui Dolphin written by Siu Williams-Lemi, performed by Leah Williams-Partington and Siu Williams-Lemi of Loopy Tunes Preschool Music, animation by Ross Payne Turn Planet, Turn written by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair (Kiri and Lou), performed by Jemaine Clement and Olivia Tennet, video directed by Harry Sinclair Recorded Music NZ Te Manu Taki Kerekahu o te Tau | Best Children's Artist finalists: Chris Sanders and Auckland Philharmonia for 'Hana the Glowworm' Levity Beet 'Levity Beet and the Aotearoa All Stars' Loopy Tunes Preschool Music for 'Kahurangi - Little Treasures' Kōkako finalists for Best Children's Performer presented by Kiwi Kids Music, NZ Opera and Auckland Philharmonia: Aiden Gao performing 'Take Me to The End' - aged 8 years Emery Goodwin performing 'Enjoy The Ride' - aged 10 years Naledi Mhuka performing 'Catch Me On My Vibe' - aged 11 years Sophie Jack performing 'New Zealand Memories' - aged 8 years Yumi Chen performing 'Never Back Down' - aged 9 years Recently honoured in the King's Birthday Honours as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her contributions to children's programming, music, and education, Suzy Cato - curator of the Children's Music Awards, and a beloved NZ children's music writer, author, and broadcaster - is thrilled with the flourishing state of Aotearoa's children's music community. She is especially excited that, for the first time, a live event will be open to the public, allowing even more people to experience the magic of children's music firsthand. 'The New Zealand children's music industry continues to go from strength to strength, fuelled by the passion of our singer-songwriters to create quality children's content, and the generous support of NZ On Air's music and content funding,' says Cato. 'The number of collaborations this past year has given the industry such a boost, too, as more and more audiences are hearing songs created specifically for them. We're thrilled to open the performance side of the Awards event to the public this year, with performances from all finalists in one way or another. And as we dance, sing, and party our way towards the 10th Aotearoa Children's Music Awards in 2026, we look forward to creating an even bigger, 'funner' event for all involved.' Presented by Recorded Music NZ, APRA AMCOS NZ, and NZ On Air, the awards have the support of Kiwi Kids Music, the national association of children's songwriters, creators and producers. Formed by some of the most passionate creators of music for kiwi kids, the association supports NZ children's music creators and seeks to advance the potential of all our children to live healthy fulfilling lives. Finalists will perform in a Sounds Fun event, at 10am Sunday 29 June at the Tuning Fork, Spark Arena – tickets available from Moshtix. Winners will be announced at an invite only ceremony at Tuning Fork, that afternoon. The show will be hosted by Suzy Cato with awards presented by tamariki from across Aotearoa, with plenty of fun and games for those special guests before the Award ceremony begins!