Tami Neilson and Jess Chambers triumph in Gore

She has travelled the country road as much as anyone and now Tami Neilson has reached the ultimate Kiwi music destination - a Tui for Best Country Music Album of 2009.

Auckland-based Tami Neilson picked up the Recording Industry Association (RIANZ) award for “Red Dirt Angel” in Gore tonight (May 29) at the NZ Country Music Awards.

At the same event, Jess Chambers’ “Stringing Me Along” from the Woolshed Sessions was named the APRA Best Country Song for 2009.

Born in Canada and living in Auckland, Tami Neilson is a prolific touring artist and TV performer. She has showcased as support act on numerous NZ and Australian tours, appeared on “Good Morning” and as Amy Winehouse on TVNZ’s “Stars in Their Eyes”.

Tami toured New Zealand from top to bottom three times in 2008 and completed a 10-day run of performances in Tamworth with NZ fiddle player Marian Burns.

“Red Dirt Angel” is her debut album and was released in April 2008 with Tami co-writing the title song with professional lyricist Dennis Morgan. Her single “Cry Myself To Sleep” was also a finalist for the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Best Country Song Award.

Best country song

Wellington-based Jess Chambers took out the APRA Best Country Song Award with her song “Stringing Me Along” capturing the country character of the place it was laid down – a converted Nelson woolshed.

Jess Chambers shines lyrically as a solo artist and has performed nation-wide as well as opening for international names such as The Fleet Foxes (Seattle), K.T. Tunstall (UK), Sarah Harmer (Can) and hometown favourite Bic Runga (NZ).

She released her debut solo album – “Jess Chambers and the Firefly Orchestra” – in July 2008. Her latest release “The Woolshed Sessions” is a collaboration with some of New Zealand’s most respected independent musicians including Age Pryor, Lee Prebble & Al Fraser.

Tami Neilson will also be acknowledged at the NZ Music Awards in Auckland in October. The other Best Country Music Album, finalists were Annette & Kim for “Something Between Us” and Kylie Austin for “When It Rains”.

The third finalist vying for the APRA Best Country Song Award were Kayla Mahon, Taylor Cairns and Andrea Cruickshank for “Facing The World”.

Reward

New Zealand Music Awards spokesperson Campbell Smith says Tami Neilson’s Tui is just reward for a determined and talented artist.

“Tami has toured tirelessly since a child,” Mr Smith says. “She is a real asset to New Zealand Country music and thoroughly deserves the acknowledgement that a Tui brings.”

Ant Healey, Director of New Zealand Operations for APRA, says: “The Woolshed Sessions and Jess Chamber’s beautiful song “Stringing Me Along” show how essential country music is to everyone in New Zealand. Country music doesn’t only come from Nashville - it’s simply music written with heart, soul and originality. Jess is overflowing with all those qualities.”

Attracting more than 5,000 country music fans during the festival, Gore’s Gold Guitar week is in its 36th year. For more information visit: www.goldguitars.co.nz

About RIANZ: The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand Inc (RIANZ) is a non-profit organisation representing major and independent record producers, distributors and recording artists throughout New Zealand. RIANZ works to protect the rights and promote the interests of creative people involved in the New Zealand recording industry. www.rianz.org.nz

About APRA: The Australasian Performing Right Association Limited is a non-profit service organisation, established in 1926, administering the rights of the world’s songwriters, composers and publishers in New Zealand and Australia. APRA represents more than 50,000 Australasian members and more than two million writers and publishers throughout the world under reciprocal, bilateral contracts with similar overseas service organisations. APRA administers the Performing Rights in music: that is, the right of performance in public and communication to the public. www.apra.co.nz

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