Latest news with #GoldGuitars
Otago Daily Times
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Festival pumps $2.52m into economy
Visiting bands Butter Wouldn't Melt (Wellington) and Rufous Whistler (Australia) jam at Gore's Table Talk Cafe in May as part of the Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival. PHOTO: CALLUM THOMAS Gore had an increase in country music festival-goers this year, with visitors coming from far and wide, injecting an estimated $2.52 million into the Eastern Southland economy. Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival had a 26% increase in attendees and an 18% rise in new visitors, a statement from organisers said. According to post-festival economic data, the average visitor's spend went up by 6%, leading to a calculated $2.52m being fed back into the local economy. The data showed that individuals also stayed longer at the 10-day festival and attended more of the 72 events on offer. The increase in numbers illustrated the festival's broadening appeal, which festival trust chairman Jeff Rea said was palpable. "This was our fourth festival and it felt like there was a notable lift in patron numbers, and new faces from all around New Zealand," he said. "We're ecstatic to see that reflected in the data also, and the trajectory of growth is nothing but exciting for the region of Eastern Southland." Festival organisers said the ongoing growth was due to an expanded programme of events, appealing to a wider range of audiences. Jeff Rea (left) and Phillip Geary. PHOTO: JAMES MACKERETH This growth was predicted by organisers a couple of months ago, when the festival's Gold Guitars competition had a record number of entries. At the time, awards panel convener Phillip Geary said the contest had 832 entries, which was about 100 more than the year before. Mr Geary noted the teenage intermediate section had recorded a big increase. The awards also had their 50-year celebration concert this year, bringing back past winners and nominees for a star-studded event. The anniversary show, Mr Rea said, without a doubt contributed to the rise in numbers. "There's no doubt this year's lift can in part be attributed to the 50th celebrations of the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards." He also acknowledged the "tireless work" of volunteers. "[The organisations and volunteers] all share our vision of developing this relatively new festival concept into one of New Zealand's biggest and most successful annual music events," he said. "Witnessing the festival's growth and the benefits it's bringing to our community is a welcome reward for the efforts of many." — APL
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Festival's increase in patronage helps pump $2.52m into economy
Visiting bands Butter Wouldn't Melt (Wellington) and Rufous Whistler (Australia) jam at Gore's Table Talk Cafe in May as part of the Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival. PHOTO: CALLUM THOMAS Gore had an increase in country music festivalgoers this year, with visitors coming from far and wide, injecting an estimated $2.52 million into the Eastern Southland economy. Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival had a 26% increase in attendees and an 18% rise in new visitors, a statement from organisers said. According to post-festival economic data, the average visitor's spend went up by 6%, leading to a calculated $2.52m being fed back into the local economy. The data showed that individuals also stayed longer at the 10-day festival and attended more of the 72 events on offer. The increase in numbers illustrated the festival's broadening appeal, which festival trust chairman Jeff Rea said was palpable. "This was our fourth festival and it felt like there was a notable lift in patron numbers, and new faces from all around New Zealand," he said. "We're ecstatic to see that reflected in the data also, and the trajectory of growth is nothing but exciting for the region of Eastern Southland." Festival organisers said the ongoing growth was due to an expanded programme of events, appealing to a wider range of audiences. This growth was predicted by organisers a couple of months ago, when the festival's Gold Guitars competition had a record number of entries. Jeff Rea and Phillip Geary. PHOTO: SUPPLIED At the time, awards panel convener Phillip Geary said the contest had 832 entries, which was about 100 more than the year before. Mr Geary noted the teenage intermediate section had recorded a big increase. The awards also had their 50-year celebration concert this year, bringing back past winners and nominees for a star-studded event. The anniversary show, Mr Rea said, without a doubt contributed to the rise in numbers. "There's no doubt this year's lift can in part be attributed to the 50th celebrations of the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards." He also acknowledged the "tireless work" of volunteers. "[The organisations and volunteers] all share our vision of developing this relatively new festival concept into one of New Zealand's biggest and most successful annual music events," he said. "Witnessing the festival's growth and the benefits it's bringing to our community is a welcome reward for the efforts of many." — APL
Otago Daily Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Festival's increase in patronage helps pump $2.52m into local economy
Visiting bands Butter Wouldn't Melt (Wellington) and Rufous Whistler (Australia) jam at Gore's Table Talk Cafe in May as part of the Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival. PHOTO: CALLUM THOMAS Gore had an increase in country music festivalgoers this year, with visitors coming from far and wide, injecting an estimated $2.52 million into the Eastern Southland economy. Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival had a 26% increase in attendees and an 18% rise in new visitors, a statement from organisers said. According to post-festival economic data, the average visitor's spend went up by 6%, leading to a calculated $2.52m being fed back into the local economy. The data showed that individuals also stayed longer at the 10-day festival and attended more of the 72 events on offer. The increase in numbers illustrated the festival's broadening appeal, which festival trust chairman Jeff Rea said was palpable. "This was our fourth festival and it felt like there was a notable lift in patron numbers, and new faces from all around New Zealand," he said. "We're ecstatic to see that reflected in the data also, and the trajectory of growth is nothing but exciting for the region of Eastern Southland." Festival organisers said the ongoing growth was due to an expanded programme of events, appealing to a wider range of audiences. This growth was predicted by organisers a couple of months ago, when the festival's Gold Guitars competition had a record number of entries. Jeff Rea and Phillip Geary. PHOTO: SUPPLIED At the time, awards panel convener Phillip Geary said the contest had 832 entries, which was about 100 more than the year before. Mr Geary noted the teenage intermediate section had recorded a big increase. The awards also had their 50-year celebration concert this year, bringing back past winners and nominees for a star-studded event. The anniversary show, Mr Rea said, without a doubt contributed to the rise in numbers. "There's no doubt this year's lift can in part be attributed to the 50th celebrations of the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards." He also acknowledged the "tireless work" of volunteers. "[The organisations and volunteers] all share our vision of developing this relatively new festival concept into one of New Zealand's biggest and most successful annual music events," he said. "Witnessing the festival's growth and the benefits it's bringing to our community is a welcome reward for the efforts of many." — APL
Otago Daily Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Gore couple of 65 years farewelled in rare joint funeral
Bill and Lavenia Gerken died within 10 days of each other and had a combined funeral in Gore on Tuesday. Photo: supplied A Gore couple who were married for more than 65 years died within 10 days of each other and had a rare combined funeral in the town earlier this week. The double funeral of Bill and Lavenia Gerken took place mainly because the surging interest in country music had booked out every venue in Gore last week. Mr Gerken was first to die, of natural causes on May 23. Daughter Kerry Gerken said her father did not want to go but he just slipped away. "And as soon as he went, Mum just gave up the ghost. She went downhill quite fast," she said. Both were 88. The caskets at the joint funeral. Photo: Supplied A funeral could not be held for Mr Gerken in Gore last week as all venues were booked out for the Tussock Music Festival which led into the Gold Guitars awards. "There was just no venues available, so we had to wait until the music was finished." Mrs Gerken was moved into hospital last Friday and by then it was not looking good for her. "It was like Mum went downhill so fast so she could be with Dad. She didn't like being without him." The idea of a combined funeral was discussed at the weekend by the family if Mrs Gerken died before the Tuesday ceremony. Mrs Gerken died on Monday night. The funeral then took place in front of a big crowd at the RSA rooms in Gore, with a mix of humour and sadness. Aurora Funeral Services had swung into action and seamlessly changed the funeral for one Gerken to two. Mrs Gerken was born in Australia but moved across the Ditch when she was 17 and met her future husband through friends. They had three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. "They had a great sense of humour, the two of them, they loved to laugh." Ms Gerken quipped at the funeral that her father would be loving the double funeral. "Two for the price of one, he would say."
Otago Daily Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Couple sent off in joint funeral
Bill and Lavenia Gerken died within 10 days of each other and had a combined funeral in Gore on Tuesday. Photo: supplied A Gore couple who were married for more than 65 years died within 10 days of each other and had a rare combined funeral in the town earlier this week. The double funeral of Bill and Lavenia Gerken took place mainly because the surging interest in country music had booked out every venue in Gore last week. Mr Gerken was first to die, of natural causes on May 23. Daughter Kerry Gerken said her father did not want to go but he just slipped away. "And as soon as he went, Mum just gave up the ghost. She went downhill quite fast," she said. Both were 88. A funeral could not be held for Mr Gerken in Gore last week as all venues were booked out for the Tussock Music Festival which led into the Gold Guitars awards. "There was just no venues available, so we had to wait until the music was finished." Mrs Gerken was moved into hospital last Friday and by then it was not looking good for her. "It was like Mum went downhill so fast so she could be with Dad. She didn't like being without him." The idea of a combined funeral was discussed at the weekend by the family if Mrs Gerken died before the Tuesday ceremony. Mrs Gerken died on Monday night. The funeral then took place in front of a big crowd at the RSA rooms in Gore, with a mix of humour and sadness. Aurora Funeral Services had swung into action and seamlessly changed the funeral for one Gerken to two. Mrs Gerken was born in Australia but moved across the Ditch when she was 17 and met her future husband through friends. They had three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. "They had a great sense of humour, the two of them, they loved to laugh." Ms Gerken quipped at the funeral that her father would be loving the double funeral. "Two for the price of one, he would say."
