Finalists for the 2016 Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Album and APRA Best Country Music Song have been announced today with the line-up showcasing New Zealand’s talented top country musicians.
Finalists in the Best Country Album category are Wellington’s Eb & Sparrow for Sun/Son, Wanaka’s Jody Direen for Breaks Out and Wellington group The Warratahs for Runaway Days.
Ebony Lamb from Eb & Sparrow is also recognised as a finalist for the APRA Best Country Music Song category for ‘Hungry Little Town’. She is joined by Mel Parsons for ‘Alberta Sun’, and siblings Tami Neilson & Joshua Neilson for ‘First Man’.
This year’s line-up of finalists are all well-established musicians who have been honing their skills in the country music genre for some time.
- APRA AMCOS’ Head of NZ Operations Anthony Healey is equally impressed by the finalists this year for the APRA Best Country Music Song.
“The songs are of a world class quality and are reflective of the immense talent that these country musicians possess. My most sincere congratulations to them all.”
This year’s winners will be announced at the New Zealand Country Music Awards on Thursday 2June at the St James Theatre in Gore. The awards are open to the public, and tickets are available through iticket.co.nz.
The New Zealand Country Music Awards take place during Gold Guitar Week. The Gold Guitar Week is in its 42nd year and attracts more than 5,000 country music fans to Gore annually. For more information visit www.goldguitars.co.nz
Finalists for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Album
- Eb & Sparrow Sun/Son
- Jody Direen Breaks Out
- The Warratahs Runaway Days
Finalists for APRA Best Country Music Song
- Ebony Lamb ‘Hungry Little Lamb’
- Mel Parsons ‘Alberta Sun’
- Tami Neilson and Joshua Neilson ‘First Man’
For more about Eb & Sparrow and Ebony Lamb: http://www.ebandsparrow.co.nz/
For more about Jody Direen: http://www.jodydireen.com/
For more about The Warratahs: http://www.warratahs.co.nz/
For more about Mel Parsons: http://melparsons.com/
For more about Tami Neilson and Joshua Neilson: http://www.tamineilson.com/