National Country Music Awards

National Country Music Awards

Acknowledging the best in country music and the new direction it is taking, the National Country Music Awards is both a first for Hamilton and New Zealand in awarding professional artists for their service to Country Music.

This event will showcase some of this country's best young performers and back them up with artists New Zealanders have long appreciated.

Six new faces are backed by four established acts in a memorable concert at the Founders Theatre. New artists include Cameron Clayton, (Christchurch) Senior Overall Winner of the NZ Gold Guitar Awards (2004), Leanne Cryer (Morinsville) and Matthew Hantler (Hamilton), both part of the group that won the Overall Senior Section in the Gold Guitar Awards (2006) Melissa Daisley (Auckland), winner of numerous awards, including the Country Music Entertainer of the Year, Gore Gold Guitar awards and C.C.M Awards in Tamworth. Kayla Mahon (Riversdale), current winner of the Songwriter Section at The Gold Guitar Awards (2006) and Paul Sharplin (Auckland), past overall winner of both the NZ Gold Guitar Awards and the Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year.

Joining them are legends Gray Bartlett, Jodi Vaughan Brendan Dugan, and the triumphant return of the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, all introduced by Martin Crump and the true Queen of country music, Joy McKean, wife of the late great Slim Dusty.

There will be four Awards presented in 2006.

The categories are Professional Country Music Artist of the Year / Top Selling Country Music Event/Tour Country Music Legend Award / Best Country Music Album of the Year
As in Professional Awards in other major territories a trophy will be awarded.

The format for the evening will be the best of new talent in the first half, then the selected icons will perform briefly (around six stars), before International Guest, Joy McKean presents the awards. Then a finale will follow.

National Country Music Awards will be an annual event in Hamilton and are looking forward to showcasing the talents of many more established and rising country stars in the years ahead.

ENDS

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