Latest news with #WillieNelson
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
The Detail: How New Zealand is falling in love with country music
Tami Neilson has been recording with country icon Willie Nelson. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Once considered niche, and tucked away in dusty record stores or rural community halls, country music in New Zealand is enjoying something of a golden moment. From chart-topping Kiwi artists to two dedicated radio stations in the past 18 months, the genre is striking a heartfelt chord with more people than ever before. RNZ Nashville Babylon host Mark Rogers grew up listening to country music, from Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash to Marty Robbins, and told The Detail that it's all about the storytelling. "As a kid, the songs and storytelling caught my imagination," he said. "The songs have no fat on them, they cut to the chase straight away, they are pretty simple. "There's nothing too complicated about them, you know exactly where you are and the classic country songs have something in them that will appeal to just about everyone. They hit home, they are easy to get and understand, people can identify with them. "It's rare that they are talking about big flash cars or billion-dollar jewellery. It's the workingman's music - that's been its appeal for many, many decades and that will continue to ring true." It seems Kiwis are falling more in love with the genre and over the last 18 months, this has prompted the launch of not one, but two dedicated country music radio stations in New Zealand. First, broadcaster Mike Puru started Southern Cross Country, found on digital platforms. Then this month, NZME launched iHeartCountry NZ, offered on the iHeartRadio app and selected FM frequencies around the country. There are no presenters, just pre-programmed country music. Both stations showcase global legends and local voices. Among those voices, one name stands out - Tami Neilson. The Canadian-born, NZ-based powerhouse has been a trailblazer for years and has just won the inaugural Country Music Honour for Contribution to Country Music in Aotearoa, recognising her outstanding impact and unwavering dedication to the scene. "What Tami is doing at the moment is astounding," Rogers said. "She has been teaming up with Willie Nelson over in the States, which is a dream come true for her. "It's incredible and I'm super proud of what she is achieving. I would like to think she will get on the [mainstream radio] playlists, because what she is doing is absolutely fantastic. "The songs are great and radio loves a good song, so there is no excuse not to play Tami." Neilson competes for airtime with unlikely country singers, including Beyonce and Post Malone, who have swapped pop and rap respectively for country beats. "This has just exploded and I think it's a good thing,'' Rogers says. "Admittedly, I'm not a massive fan of some of it, but I'm a big fan of others. "I don't think it's cheapened the genre at all - it's just music developing." Clearly, Kiwis want more of it, proving country music in New Zealand isn't just surviving - it is thriving. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter .
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Score $30 Summer Concert Tickets From Live Nation (While You Still Can)
Want to catch a show this summer without emptying your bank account? There's a sale for that. Earlier this month, concert promotion giant Live Nation rolled out its annual summer ticket discount, offering $30 seats to shows in amphitheaters coast-to-coast. Called 'Ticket To Summer,' the sale launched May 21. At publication time, participating artists included Willie Nelson, Coheed and Cambria, Nelly, The Doobie Brothers, Keith Urban, The Offspring, Kesha and more. How does it work? Unlike past years – when Live Nation ran a 'Concert Week' special that offered discounted tickets for a seven-day period – the Ticket To Summer deal continues throughout the season on a first-come, first-serve basis. But act fast, because the company only offers a select number of $30 tickets to participating shows in each city. Discounted concerts plan to be updated throughout the summer, according to USA Today. Live Nation hopes to run the discount on more than 1,000 concerts this year. The $30 ticket price includes all fees except local taxes. Show-goers can find $30 tickets at nearby venues by visiting Availability varies depending on location. Additional artists participating in the $30 special include Cody Jinks, Rob Thomas, Allison Krauss and Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Farm Aid to Celebrate 40th Anniversary in Minneapolis
Farm Aid will celebrate its 40th anniversary on September 20 with a super-sized show at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, featuring Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, and Margo Price in addition to Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Trampled by Turtles, Waxahatchee, Eric Burton of Black Pumas, Jesse Welles, Madeline Edwards, and others that have yet to be announced. Ticket sales begin May 16. 'Family farmers are the heart of this country, and we depend on each other for good food and strong communities,' Nelson says in a statement. 'For 40 years, Farm Aid and our partners have stood with farmers, supporting them to stay on their land even when corporate power, bad policies and broken promises make it harder to keep going. This year, we're proud to bring Farm Aid to Minnesota to celebrate the farmers who sustain us and to fight for a food system that works for all of us. Family farmers aren't backing down, and neither are we.' More from Rolling Stone Neil Young Takes Direct Aim at Tesla on New Single 'Let's Roll Again' Watch Neil Young Jam With Stephen Stills, Break Out Stunning Deep Cuts at Light Up the Blues A Neil Young Tribute With a Heart of Gold Farm Aid has been held virtually every year since the inaugural event in Champaign, Illinois, back in 1985. But this is the first time it's touched down in Minneapolis. It will be the kickoff event to a year-long celebration of Farm Aid. 'We're grateful to our dedicated board members and hundreds of generous artists who have brought us together year after year to celebrate family farmers and highlight the challenges they face every day,' Farm Aid Co-Executive Director Jennifer Fahy says in a statement. 'Our anniversary marks a critical time for the nation to come together in support of the family farmers we all depend on. Our work isn't done. There are significant threats to the future of family farm agriculture and our food system. Farm Aid 40 is an opportunity to call those out and work for the food system that farmers, eaters and our planet all deserve.' The 2024 incarnation of Farm Aid took place at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York. It featured the debut of Neil Young's new band the Chrome Hearts. They're set centered around classics like 'Harvest Moon,' 'Heart of Gold,' 'Unknown Legend,' and 'Powderfinger.' They hit the road this year for their first proper tour, and will play Farm Aid at the end of the run. Dave Matthews is spending much of the summer on the road with the Dave Matthews Band. But in keeping with longtime Farm Aid tradition, he'll play an acoustic set with Tim Reynolds at the event. The vast majority of Farm Aid concerts take place at outdoor amphitheaters. This is the first one at a stadium since the 2012 Farm Aid at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Nashville Babylon: Saturday 24 May 2025
This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions. Bob Dylan, 1963 Photo: supplied This week's Nashville Babylon celebrates Bob Dylan's 84th birthday with a selection of cover versions of his finest work from the likes of Mavis Staples, Solomon Burke, Esther Phillips, Bryan Ferry, RL Burnside and Willie Nelson. Music played: Artist: Mavis Staples & Levon Helm Track: Gotta Serve Somebody Composer: Bob Dylan Album: Carry Me Home Label: Anti Artist: Bob Dylan Track: Highway 61 Revisited Composer: Bob Dylan Album: Highway 61 Revisited Label: Columbia Artist: Bryan Ferry Track: Simple Twist Of Fate Composer: Bob Dylan Album: Dylanesque Label: Virgin Artist: Esther Phillips Track: Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You Composer: Bob Dylan Album: The Roulette Sides Label: Warner Artist: RL Burnside Track: Everything Is Broken Composer: Bob Dylan Album: Tangled Up In Blues Label: House Of Blues Artist: Solomon Burke Track: The Mighty Quinn Composer: Bob Dylan Album: Proud Mary Label: Sundazed Artist: Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard Track: Don't Think Twice It's Alright Composer: Bob Dylan Album: Django and Jimmie Label: Legacy Artist: Them Track:It's All Over Now, Baby Blue Composer: Bob Dylan Album: Them Again Label: Decca Artist: Emma Swift Track: Queen Jane Approximately Composer: Dylan Artist: Blonde On The Tracks Label: Tiny Ghost Records Artist: The Brothers and Sisters Track: All Along The Watchtower Composer: Bob Dylan Album: Dylan's Gospel Label: Ode Artist: Bob Dylan Track: Like A Rolling Stone Composer: Bob Dylan Album: Highway 61 Revisited Label: Columbia Artist: The Noveltones Track: Left Bank Two Composer: Wayne Hill Album: Left Bank Two Label: De Wolfe Music
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
NZ Country Icon Tami Neilson heads on tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson
This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions. Tami Neilson (right) & Maggie Tweedie (left) Photo: RNZ Tami Neilson is a true tour de force, a rhinestoned rebel with a voice full of soul. Raised on the road, she spent her childhood crisscrossing North America in an RV with her family's country band, singing on stages before she could even spell her name. Music isn't just her calling, it's the rhythm her life has always moved to. Now based in New Zealand, Tami's star is rising fast, both at home and on the world stage. In 2024, a dream decades in the making came true: she stepped into the sacred circle at the Grand Ole Opry, singing her heart out on country music's most hallowed stage. That milestone lit a fire. After a chance friendship with Annie Nelson, wife of the legendary Willie Nelson, Tami found herself recording an entire album of Willie's songs in his Texas studio—an intimate, soulful homage titled Neilson Sings Nelson. The adventure doesn't stop there. She's about to hit the road for a major European and U.S. tour, including dates supporting none other than Bob Dylan, a pairing of legends, old and new. And right on the heels of that, she'll release Neon Cowgirl , her boldest album yet. Once the record drops, Tami will return to Aotearoa to bring Neon Cowgirl home, performing it in grand style in opera houses across the motu, including dates in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Nelson and Tauranga. It's not just a tour—it's a victory lap. Amongst all of this, Neilson was awarded the very first Country Music Honour for Contribution to Country Music in Aotearoa at The Country Music Honours in Gore. It marks what has already been a remarkable year. Tami Neilson chatted to Maggie Tweedie about the new album, her upcoming tours and her recent AMA nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Artist. The Neon Cowgirl New Zealand Tour Dates: Oct 3 - The Opera House, Wellington Oct 4 - Aotea Centre, Auckland Oct 11 - Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch Oct 12 - The Theatre Royal, Nelson Oct 24 - The Arts Festival, Tauranga
