Latest news with #MLTGoldGuitarAwardsSeniorFinals
Otago Daily Times
2 days 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
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Gold Guitars final crowd drawcard
The 50th annual MLT Gold Guitar Awards Senior Finals began impressively last night with a sold-out stadium and a jam-packed lineup of country music's finest. The event is the big finale for the Bayleys Tussock Country music festival, and what a show it promised to be for the 1100 people in attendance. Musicians brought their very best to the Gore Town & Country Club, all vying for their place among New Zealand country music royalty. There were plenty of home-town heroes such as the Mitchell family, with twins Nicola and Maegan competing against their father Ron in the singer/songwriter section. Notably Ron's daughter and the twins' sister Jenny Mitchell won the overall award back in 2017, setting a high watermark for the country music family. Fan favourite Jeremy Hantler, of the Harmonic Resonators, wowed the audience during the Traditional section, with an impressive show of vocal range and control. Australia sent over a bit of strong competition too, in the form of Jon Collins. The grand prize for the Senior category is $3000, a Martin D-28 Satin Acoustic Guitar, a fully produced single and publicity package as well as other prizes to help the winner's career. The winner will also be flown out to the 2026 Tamworth Country Music Festival to show off the fine work of the Gold Guitars. Finalists and winners were yet to be announced at the time of writing, and convener Phillip Geary said this year it was a strongly contested competition. "It's going to be a very close call this year. "Some years we can see it from the first audition, but this is a lot tighter. The quality is high, very high," he said. Mr Geary had a lot to celebrate, with sold-out shows across the block like the 50th anniversary Golden Guitars show on Thursday, which featured 22 past Gold Guitar winners. Heavy hitters from past and present set a high bar for the competitors, showing exactly what it meant to take up the mantle of winning the award. Mr Geary knew what the Gold Guitars meant for a young musician — a chance to rise the ranks into country music royalty. "This is a steppingstone for anyone who is serious about their career, and their music," he said.
