Legendary Artist Willie Nelson Congratulates Tami Neilson In Beautiful Tribute Video

In a special addition to Gore’s annual Country Music Honours on Friday 23 May, audiences witnessed the emotive debut of the Country Music Honour for Contribution to Country Music in Aotearoa. The inaugural recipient of this award was the acclaimed Tami Neilson, who was recognised for her outstanding impact and unwavering dedication to the country music scene - in front of a sold out theatre in NZ’s country music capital.

The Honour took Neilson by complete surprise as she stood on stage to watch a beautiful tribute video featuring Jesse Mulligan (RNZ), the Topp Twins, her Canada-based brother Todd Neilson, and the one and only Willie Nelson. Overcome with emotion during her acceptance speech, Neilson bid farewell to her fake lashes mid-sentence as she thanked the country music community for decades of support.

The video opened with artists and industry members describing Tami’s voice in a few words, such as “rich and captivating” (Teresa Patterson, Head of Music, NZ On Air) and “lungs of gold,” (award-winning songwriter Ebony Lamb). The Topp Twins, Dame Jools and Lynda Topp, reminisced on their instant love of Tami’s music and the pride they feel in watching her climb the ranks and keep the door kicked open for the emerging artists behind her.

In the tear filled theatre, Tami watched the video conclude with the whakatauki “ka mua ka kite a muri,” from fellow country artist Nicola Mitchell, just before Tami’s songwriting hero Willie Nelson appeared on screen to offer the English translation; Those who lead, give light to those who follow.

The Honour followed a huge week for Neilson, with the announcement of her nationwide Neon Cowgirl tour and her new single ‘Borrow My Boots’ being added to rotation on NZME’s new country music radio station; iHeartCountry New Zealand. Despite being one of the most significant figures to ever emerge from country music stages in Aotearoa New Zealand, this is the first time Tami’s music has been playlist on commercial terrestrial radio in New Zealand. A moment that marks the beginning of a new era for an artist who has fiercely carved her own path in the music industry for over thirty years.

The Country Music Honours are delivered by the NZ Songwriter’s Trust, which is led by Gore local Vanessa Harvey. The Honour for Contribution to Country Music fills an important gap in the local music industry, acknowledging those both on and off the stage who have contributed to the growth of the country music genre.

Vanessa shares, “This recognition for Tami is well overdue and we feel so privileged to have had her in Gore for the Country Music Honours this year. New Zealand audiences and artists have been inspired and uplifted by her for decades and there is nobody more fitting for our first Country Music Honour for Contribution to Country Music.”

The Honours are rapidly becoming a calendar staple for many music lovers and are one of over 70 events in Gore’s 10 day Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival - held in Gore in late May each year. The Country Music Honour for APRA Best Country Song was awarded to Holly Arrowsmith for ‘Blue Dreams’ and the Country Music Honour for the MLT Songwriting Award to Nicola Mitchell, Byllie-Jean Zeta, and Em-Hayley Walker (Theia, Te Kaahu) for their waiata ‘Wā/Time’

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