Latest news with #GoldGuitar
Otago Daily Times
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
New star in country music wins big
The 50th MLT Gold Guitar Awards crowned Keily Smith after a highly contested show Sunday night, with her performance in the new country category winning her the grand prize. Pictured left to right: Phillip Geary, Keily Smith, Horace McAuley, Craig Sinclair. Runner up Simon Thompson (top left) said his second place finish alongside his win for male vocal solo was a sign to himself he belonged and was making the right moves in his music career. The Mitchell Twins (bottom left) Nicola (left) and Maegan came away with a win in the duet section, with Nicola winning an award for songwriting as well. Photos: Gerrit Doppenberg The MLT Gold Guitar Awards were a major success with a sold-out crowd, hometown heroes bringing home awards, and a new star in country music crowned. Gore Town & Country Club was packed to the rafters as 1100 people watched the best country musicians from near and far competing at the MLT Gold Guitar Awards Senior Finals. The judges had their work cut out for them, with the very high quality of entrants bringing their A-game through the night. Nicola and Maegan Mitchell, otherwise known as the Mitchell Twins, did Gore proud by winning the duet section, with Nicola winning the singer-songwriter section as well. The sisters competed against father Ron Mitchell in the songwriting section, and notably their sister Jenny Mitchell won the overall award back in 2017. Lawrence musician Keily Smith, after resounding performances in the country rock and NZ song sections, won the Gold Guitar for her song in the new country category. Following her big win, Smith said she felt a mix of joy at the achievement, and the exhaustion after such a big night with a late finish. "I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. "There was such a plethora of talent here this evening, it was anyone's game. "I'm just so thrilled to have shared the experience with the other artists, and I'm ready for a nap," she laughed. Runner-up Simon Thompson of Invercargill was overcome with emotions as he accepted awards for his performances —he also won the male vocal solo award. Mr Thompson said to win these categories, for him, was the recognition his hard work had been paying off. "I was just stunned. Even now I'm completely speechless. "Everyone in this room is a winner and to be called up, to be given that, it feels like I do belong and I am good enough," he said. MLT Gold Guitar Awards convener Phillip Geary said the night was one to be remembered and the winner was a fantastic ambassador for the awards and country music. "It's just another great milestone, it's a continuation of the journey. "The quality is as high as it's ever been. [Keily Smith] represents very well, she's a very worthy winner. The Mitchell twins perform in the duet section. "If she goes on from here, takes advantage of the prize package, we'll be really proud of her," he said. Results NZ Gold guitar overall winner: Keily Smith, Lawrence. Runner-up: Simon Thompson, Invercargill. Highest scoring Gore Country Music Club member: Lana Stevens, Riversdale. Gospel: Ngarangi Sadlier, Lower Hutt. Country rock: Keily Smith, Lawrence. NZ song: Keily Smith, Lawrence. Traditional: Jeremy Hantler: Tauranga New country: Keily Smith, Lawrence. Duet: The Mitchell Twins, Gore Open instrumental: William Harvey, Nelson. Vocal group: The Dollys, Winton. Band: Aroha & The CFB, Nelson. Singer-songwriter: Nicola Mitchell, Gore. Male vocal solo: Simon Thompson, Invercargill. Female vocal solo: Ngarangi Sadlier, Lower Hutt.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Rapid rise to top for Gold Guitar winner
New Zealand country music has a new star — with an English accent, an assertive performance style, and whose smoky and evocative tone fills a stadium with ease. Gore Town & Country Club was packed to the rafters on Sunday night as 1100 people watched the best country musicians from near and far competing at the MLT Gold Guitar Awards senior finals. The judges had their work cut out for them, as the high-quality entrants brought their A-game to the show. The hour was late, but the audience sat in anticipation as the big moment arrived — the crowning of country music royalty. Lawrence musician Keily Smith, after resounding performances in the country rock and New Zealand song sections, won the Gold Guitar for her song in the new country category. Following her big win, Mrs Smith said she felt a mix of joy and exhaustion after such a big night with a late finish. 'I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. There was such a plethora of talent here this evening, it was anyone's game. "I'm just so thrilled to have shared the experience with the other artists, and I'm ready for a nap," she said, laughing. County Durham in England, where Mrs Smith is from originally, is not known for its country music, but the musician grew up listening to the greats her mum would play for her. Listening to Mrs Smith, you would assume she was a seasoned veteran of the art, but she began her music journey only three years ago. Her smokey and powerful voice, alongside her energetic stage presence, made her a standout among standouts. Mrs Smith said it was only the start. "I'm going to use the resources, going to make sure I'm a good advocate for country music and other musicians, and Gore Country Music Club. "It's really going to get me going with releasing a single at the end of the year, hopefully with the songs I've been writing," she said. Runner-up Simon Thompson, of Invercargill, was overcome with emotion as he accepted several awards for his performances. He also won the male vocal solo award. Mr Thompson said the wins showed his hard work had been paying off. "I was just stunned. Even now I'm completely speechless. "Everyone in this room is a winner and to be called up, to be given that, it feels like I do belong and I am good enough," he said. MLT Gold Guitar Awards convener Phillip Geary said the night was one to be remembered, and the winner was a fantastic ambassador for the awards, and country music. "It's just another great milestone; it's a continuation of the jouney. The quality is as high as it's ever been, "[Keily Smith] represents very well, she's a very worthy winner. If she goes on from here, takes advantage of the prize package, we'll be really proud of her," he said.
1News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- 1News
Country music resurges as Gold Guitars strikes golden milestone
The country's prestigious Gold Guitar Awards has reached its own triumphant milestone of the same colour — it's golden anniversary. Many of the past winners of the highly-acclaimed competition returned to Gore's golden stage in Southland to celebrate 50 years. The three-day event is part of 10-day Tussock Country Festival in the south that brings country lovers from New Zealand and the world. On Thursday night, the Gold Guitars held a special gala for more than 20 returning winners to perform — many for the first time in years. Peter Cairns took the coveted prize in 1984. ADVERTISEMENT "This is, literally, the best of the best [in New Zealand country music.]," he told 1News. Around 600 people packed Gore's Town & Country Club venue for the four-hour show this week. "There's been a lot of similar awards that haven't lasted the distance and it's really the tenacity and the hard work of all those involved in putting it together that's led to its success," said Cairns. But it was not just about classic country music. The event organisers have witnessed a resurgence of genre with a record number of entrants this year — 829 in total. That compared to just 38 in the first event back in 1974. Gold Guitar Award convener Phillip Geary has been involved with the competition for 30 years. "Country music is definitely becoming more popular," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Geary added, "we've noticed that over the last, probably five years a big, big increase... in the intermediates [level] which is your teenagers." "With the likes of Taylor Swift and some of the upbeat-type country music artists, [teenagers] are recognising that and enjoying it and I think that's helping," he said. Kylie Price claimed Gold Guitar champion in 2012 and jetted in from the United Kingdom for the show. She told 1News, interest from the younger generation has been felt across the world. "It's like a big family which, I think, is a massive thing when you're trying to bring the future generation in," she said. "We want to be as welcoming as possible." Price said the likes of New Zealander Kaylee Bell's success and others have also helped. ADVERTISEMENT "And you get the overseas artists like Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs and that sort of thing," added Price. She said the resurgence has allowed the genre to evolve. "For a long time, I remember when I was singing and it wasn't deemed as the cool genre to sing... and I think people are starting to realise that country isn't just this one specific sound that they might have always thought country was." With the awards stronger than ever — the next Gold Guitar star would be revealed on Sunday night.
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Yodelling, line dancing back in vogue
With Gore's country music fest back next week bigger than ever, some of its surrounding arts like yodelling and line-dancing are feeling the ripple effect of a global boom in the genre. The Tussock Country music festival kicks off on Friday and its boost in ticket sales has reflected the rapid rise of the music genre in popular culture, internationally. In its 50th year, famed Gore country competition the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards received a record number of 829 musical entries last month, 100 more than 12 months previously. Now, just a week out from the 11-day extravaganza, several of its events have sold out or are near selling out in anticipation for the festival. Music teacher Peter Cairns said tickets to his yodelling workshop had sold out for the first time since starting four years ago. He said the increase in takers was due to the overall festival doing so well alongside a tour group coming through this year, helping to boost numbers. He learned to yodel in his 20s, he said, while hanging out with one of the NZ's "top dalliers" Southlander Max McCauley. He said his workshops had not created any "yodelling monsters" yet, but he was coaching a few budding singers who were entering in the Gold Guitars this year. His student Briar Sharp will be returning in the Intermediate section of the competition, having won the Junior category overall last time. "I've taught something like 13 or 14 overall Gold Guitar winners," he said. The workshop was a "bit of fun" he said, where he taught punters the basics of "breaking", meaning finding the break in a voice where it can flip between the higher and lower register that yodelling is known for. In another expression of the genre, Dianne Perkins will be teaching a beginners' line dance workshop at the festival, and said the country-flavoured steps are having a comeback with a younger audience. She said once given a "bad rap" and thought to be old fashioned, line dancing was having a resurgence because it was being applied to all kinds of popular music, not just country. Her students now moved to the music of fast-paced and contemporary hits from the likes of Ed Sheeran and successful new country singer, Luke Combs. She also takes her line dancing to the rest-homes of Gore and said the dance style has been medically proven to reduce the risk of memory loss and dementia. "It's a great way of exercising and ... because the music's fantastic and you have to remember the steps; it's very, very good for your mind," she said. She said both a 91-year-old and a 13-year-old dance with her in Gore. Another good thing about line dancing was that you did not need a partner, she said, which was good for the many people who were on their own but loved to dance. Line dancing was also a great social activity, she said, which she had come to expect from Gore. "It's a fantastic community to live in ... and it's just one way that we can give a little bit back to the community," she said.
Otago Daily Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Yodelling, line dancing back in fashion
With Gore's country music festival back next week and bigger than ever, some of its events such as yodelling and line dancing are feeling the ripple effect of a global boom in the genre. The Tussock Country Music Festival starts next Friday. Its boost in ticket sales has reflected the rapid rise of the music genre in popular culture internationally. In its 50th year, Gore country competition the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards received a record number of 829 entries last month — 100 more than 12 months previously. Now, just a week out from the 11-day extravaganza, several of its events have sold out or are near to selling out in anticipation of the festival. Music teacher Peter Cairns said tickets to his yodelling workshop had sold out for the first time since starting four years ago. The increase was due to the overall success of the festival as well as a tour group coming through this year. He learned to yodel in his 20s while hanging out with one of New Zealand's "top yodelers", Southlander Max McCauley. His workshops had not created any "yodelling monsters" yet, but he was coaching a few budding singers who were entering the Gold Guitars this year. His student Briar Sharp will be returning in the intermediate section of the competition, having won the junior category overall last time, Mr Cairns said. "I've taught something like 13 or 14 overall Gold Guitar winners." He taught punters the basics of "breaking" — finding the break in a voice where it can flip between the higher and lower register that yodelling is known for. In another expression of the genre, Diane Perkins will be teaching two line dance classes at the festival. The country-flavoured steps were having a comeback with a younger audience. Once given a "bad rap" and thought to be old-fashioned, line dancing was having a resurgence because it was being applied to all kinds of popular music, not just country, she said. Her students now moved to the music of fast-paced and contemporary hits from the likes of Ed Sheeran and successful new country singer Luke Combs. She also took her lessons to rest-homes in Gore. The dance style had been medically proven to reduce the risk of memory loss and dementia, she said. "It's a great way of exercising. "Because the music's fantastic and you have to remember the steps, it's very, very good for your mind." Another good thing about line dancing was you did not need a partner, which was good for people who were on their own but loved to dance, she said. Line dancing was also a great social activity, which she had come to expect from Gore, she said. "It's a fantastic community to live in. "It's just one way that we can give a little bit back to the community."
