The nation’s biggest awards night on the country music calendar has seen the gongs handed out for Best Country Music Album and Best Country Music Song of 2012 at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore tonight (Thurs. 31 May).
Prolific Auckland-based country music artist Tami Neilson has claimed her third Tui in four years, picking up the Recording Industry Association (RIANZ) award for Best Country Music Album.
The Kitchen Table Sessions Vol II is her third finals berth and her third best album award, repeating her wins from 2009 (“Red Dirt Angel”) and 2010 (“The Kitchen Table Sessions”).
Canadian-born Neilson now lives in Auckland. The Kitchen Table Sessions Vol II builds on her successful previous Sessions album with her trademark raw energy and music that is a hybrid of acoustic torch and stripped-bare country blues.
RIANZ managing director, Chris Caddick, says: “Sincere congratulations to Tami for winning the Tui for Best Country Music Album in what has been an outstanding year for country music. Tami’s beautifully performed and produced album is a real gem an a superb example of the high standards being achieved in New Zealand Country music today.”
WATCH Tami on Good Morning this Thurs 8 June!
LISTEN to Tami on Radio NZ's Nine to Noon with Claire Peacock at 10 am this Fri 9 June!
