NEWS FLASH

"Hey Mama" Official Music Video Released!

2011-11-20T16:59:00.000-08:00

Here it is! (drumroll, please...) my first music video from "The Kitchen Table Sessions Vol II"! I spent the day in a coffin for this, so, you could say I'm DYING for you like it...and if you do, please share it on your FB page and spread the word.

Also see if you can play "spot the Neilson" and find Mom, Dad and my brother Jay in there- you won't find my brother Todd, because he was the genius behind the camera, directing us all! (www.faduchigroup.com)

Thanks everyone, hope you enjoy!

NEILSON WINS AGAIN AND PERFORMS AT RUGBY WORLD CUP

2011-09-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

Two-time winner of the Tui Award for “Best Country Album” Tami Neilson has pulled another double win as “Best Female Artist” at this month’s National Country Music Awards for the second year in a row.

The Canadian-born artist thanked her “NZ country music family” and said after moving here to marry a Kiwi and start her career over in a new country that she now “considers herself a Kiwi”, to which the 1000 plus audience of country music fans at the Founders Theatre in Hamilton erupted with applause.

Neilson is part of the highly anticipated entertainment line up for the Rugby World Cup, showcasing with her band during “Rural Lifestyle Week” and also performing as part of the Real NZ Festival’s “Topp Twins Hoe Down” at the Queens Wharf Oct 2011.

Tami Nominated for Best Country Song 2011

2011-05-05T04:05:00.000-07:00

The finalists for the APRA Best Country Song Award for 2011 have been announced!

They are Jackie Bristow for ‘Freedom’, Donna Dean for ‘What Am I Gonna Do?’ and Tami Neilson and Lauren Thomson for ‘No Good for my Soul’.

Canadian-born Tami Neilson is a two-time winner of the Best Country Album Tui. She has joined forces with Lauren Thomson, winner of the NZ Songwriting Trust 2010 and APRA Silver Scroll nominee, to launch their collaborative “sister albums”.

‘No Good For My Soul’ is the only song to feature on both their albums- The Kitchen Table Sessions Volume 2 (Tami Neilson) and Chanteuses & Shotguns (Lauren Thomson).

Ant Healey, Director of New Zealand Operations for APRA says:

"Full of heart, soul and talent, these three songs are going to be hard to decide between. The Country Music week-long celebrations in Gore are imbued in tradition and respect, and APRA is pleased to be supporting it again this year. Good luck to all the finalists."

Gore’s Gold Guitar week is in its 37th year and attracts more than 5,000 country music fans during the festival. For more information visit: www.goldguitars.co.nz

Awards to be presented in Gore on Thursday June 2

Tami's New Album reviewed by Elsewhere's Graham Reid

2011-01-31T18:11:00.000-08:00

"When reviewing her previous album The Kitchen Table Sessions Vol 1, I noted the promise of the title and looked forward to Auckland-based Neilson getting back around the table in her brother's house in Canada to deliver a follow-up.

This time she took with her singer-songwriter Lauren Thomson who plays guitar, sings back-up in places here and shares the lead on the rollicking and salty co-write No Good For My Soul -- which also appears on Thomson's Chanteuses and Shotguns album recorded at the same time.

Neilson is a gifted songwriter who has that skill of being able to find a deep emotion and deliver it with convincing honesty. Between the opener (a foot-stomp, harmonica-honk spiritual Hey Mama) and the closer (a soaring a cappella treatment of Don Gibson's country classic Sweet Dreams, the hit for Patsy Cline, recorded back in New Zealand) Neilson essays gentle bluegrass, insightful ballads and some goodtime country (among them a version of McCartney's I've Just Seen a Face).

Neilson also has a way with an intelligent, self-aware lyric as on the measured , sentimental but never mawkish Great Day: "Grow up, got married, don't the days fly fast. Half of my tomorrows are in the past. Now supper's in the oven and it won't be long, and I'm in the kitchen singing homemade songs. It's a great day to be loved".

The centrepiece is the soul-baring and melancholy This Town which sounds like a newly minted country classic in the manner of Kris Kristofferson at his best: "When I roll into this town, first thing I wanna do is leave . . .the gossips' hands are full of time and somehow it becomes a crime to the nerve to run off chasing dreams."

Those lyrics, delivered slowly over weeping steel guitar, have their counterpoint in the more telling revelation: "When I reach my hotel room, first thing I'm gonna do is cry . . . I'll pour a glass of wine and drink a toast to the nights alone, and endless highways that I roam . . . looking for that home I'll never find".

This kind of writing -- not to mention her restrained but powerful delivery -- is throughout the album: The Bottle and Me is a woman rejected who takes solace in the bottom of a glass: "Yeah I know just what they all think, a woman who can't hold her drink. Why can't they see, that it's holding me".

Neilson -- who co-wrote most of these great songs with her brother/producer/kitchen-owner Jay -- out-writes and out-sings most other country acts these days. This is music which celebrates life in all its joys and sadness. And in the booklet she includes a recipe for pheasant pie too. A generous album on every level.

On Take Me Home she offers, "singing in the cities, every backwoods town, hoping one day to do us proud . . ."

She has done her family -- and herself -- proud. Again."

-Graham Reid, Elsewhere
www.elsewhere.co.nz

FREE download from the new album!

2010-12-21T13:46:00.000-08:00

Only 3 more sleeps to go until Christmas so I thought I'd give my lovely fans a free download of the first single "One Thing" from my new album "The Kitchen Table Sessions Vol II" (now available on iTunes, in stores and online at www.amplifier.co.nz). All you have to do is join my mailing list if you haven't already :)

This past year has been amazing for me and I just wanted to take this moment to thank each of you for your support, for coming out to shows, buying CDs and helping push me along on this fantastic journey- you're the reason I can keep doing what I love!

If 2010 was this great, 2011 is going to be incredible! Kicking off the year with 2 national tours, first the Topp Twins Summer Hoe Down, followed by my own tour "Chanteuses & Shotguns" with Lauren Thomson to launch our new "sister albums"! (Tickets are already on sale here if you need a last minute stocking stuffer! : http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/theme/2010/lauren-thomson-tami-neilson-chanteuses-shotguns-tour).

I'm also excited to announce that after all these years of being self-managed, I have just taken on representation with Diva Productions' Arani Cuthbert! She also manages Don McGlashan and the Topp Twins, so I know we'll be a perfect fit as she can obviously handle both serious songwriters AND people who are slightly crazy ;-) hehe.

Have a fantastic holiday season and I hope to see you when I tour through your area in the new year!

Big hugs,

Tami x

"Chanteuses & Shotguns" Tour- Summer 2011

2010-11-04T19:57:00.000-07:00

chanteuse f. (plural chanteuses)
1. A (female) singer.

shotgun (plural shotguns)
1. bang bang. dead

Loading up another round after the successful 2010 tour “Saints & Sinners”, Canadian-born Tami Neilson (two-time Tui Award winner for Best Country Album 2009 & 2010) joins forces once again with Lauren Thomson (winner of the NZ Songwriting Trust 2010 and APRA Silver Scroll nominee) for the 20-date national tour “Chanteuses & Shotguns”.

Launching the collaborative “sister albums” they recorded in Canada earlier this year: Tami’s “The Kitchen Table Sessions Vol II” (the follow-up to last year’s critically acclaimed Vol 1) and Lauren’s highly anticipated full-length release, “Chanteuses & Shotguns”, they will be bringing their foot-stomping, harmony-infused music across the nation on their 20-date tour with what Metro magazine calls “A soulful blend of alt-country and folk”.

“I seriously doubt you'll find more talented women sharing a stage anywhere in this country than these singer-songwriters: not only do they individually have terrific and memorable songs (many of them), but they play the heartfelt ones from places deep inside and their arse-kicking ones with undiluted energy" - Graham Reid, Elsewhere

CHANTEUSES & SHOTGUNS TOUR DATES:

17 Feb COOKS BEACH, Eggsentric Cafe*
18 Feb WAIHEKE, Artworks Theatre*
19 Feb AUCKLAND, Devonport Wine & Food Festival
20 Feb AUCKLAND, Juice Bar*
25 Feb CROMWELL, The Shed @ Northburn Station
26 Feb GORE, Hokonui Moonshiners Festival
27 Feb DUNEDIN, New Edinburgh Folk Club*
3 Mar OAMARU, The Penguin Club*
4 Mar CHRISTCHURCH, The Harbour Light*
5 Mar GERALDINE, Geraldine Cinema*
6 Mar KAIKOURA, Mayfair Theatre*
10 Mar TAKAKA, Mussel Inn*
11 Mar NELSON, Yaza Café*
12 Mar PICTON, Le Café*
17 Mar CARTERTON, The Lounge
18 Mar PALMERSTON NORTH, The Bent Horseshoe*
19 Mar WELLINGTON, Meow*
24 Mar WHANGAREI, Salut Bar*
25 Mar RAGLAN, Orca* (9.30pm)

All shows start at 8pm, unless stated otherwise
* Support by special guest Mark Mazengarb

BUY TICKETS NOW: http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/theme/2010/lauren-thomson-tami-neilson-chanteuses-shotguns-tour

Sponsors:
Creative NZ
Britz Campervan Hire

Tami Tours with Topp Twins....say that 5 times, fast!

2010-11-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

New Zealand’s cream of contemporary alt-country and bluegrass artists will be playing amongst the vines this summer when the Topp Twins and Special Guests legendary Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, fiddler extraordinaire Marian Burns, Best Female Artist 2010 Country Music Awards, Tami Neilson and young rising star, Cameron Luxton appear at boutique wineries in January and February 2011.

TAMI NEILSON supporting TONI CHILDS- NZ TOUR

2010-10-11T15:24:00.000-07:00

Three-time Grammy nominee TONI CHILDS is set to thrill audiences with her signature husky vocals and emotive lyrics during a seven-city New Zealand tour this month.

Fresh from performing a string of sell-out shows in Australia, Toni will perform her blockbuster hits including Stop Your Fussin', as well as showcasing her latest hit album Keep The Faith. The songs from this emotionally hard-hitting album are a blend of roots, rock, folk and gospel songs.

Best known for her heavily R&B influenced Don't Walk Away, Toni hit the big time in 1988 when her critically acclaimed debut album Union went Double Platinum in New Zealand, selling 75,000 copies. The same year she was nominated for three Grammys, including Best New Artist.

Supporting Toni will be Canadian-born TAMI NEILSON, who, since relocating to New Zealand has won two NZ Music Awards for Best Country Album for both 2009 and 2010.

21 Oct WELLINGTON, Opera House
22 Oct HASTINGS, Hawkes Bay Opera House
23 Oct HAMILTON, Founders Theatre
26 Oct AUCKLAND, Bruce Mason Centre
28 Oct PALMERSTON NORTH, Regent on Broadway
29 Oct NEW PLAYMOUTH, TSB Showplace
30 Oct CHRISTCHURCH, Isaac Theatre Royal

Tami Wins "Best Female Artist 2010" at the NZ Country Music Awards!

2010-08-17T23:59:00.000-07:00

An audience of enthusiastic country music fans filled the 1200 seat Founders Theatre in Hamilton this past weekend where Tami Neilson was awarded "Best Female Artist 2010" at the National Country Music Awards. The show included performances by Tami, Marian Burns, JamesRay and The Topp Twins, who were presented with the "Country Music Legend Award".

Cover Girl Tami Neilson for Sunday Magazine

2010-08-02T00:31:00.000-07:00

1 Aug 2010
Sunday Magazine
Hip to be Hick :The hardy crop of Kiwis making country music cool

Whether you prefer it slick and glossy, feral and munterish or dark and melancholy, New Zealand makes country music all ways. Grant Smithies surveys the wide range of sounds happening on the Kiwi country scene...

Some music snobs maintain that country music is just corny cowboy crap written for yokels who live in those dull provincial outposts referred to by TV programmers as “the heartland”. They imagine mutton-fed squares out in Deliverance country line-dancing in checked shirts and Hallensteins slacks. But country music has never been so easily defined or dismissed. Like rock, pop or hip hop, it has evolved since its inception, mutating like a particularly frisky virus, cross-breeding shamelessly with other styles. In New Zealand, musicians have been putting their spin on country music for decades.

Canada-born country singer Tami Neilson has won Best Country Album at the New Zealand Music Awards for the last two years, and it’s easy to see why. Rather than choose sides between slick Nashville country-pop and a more fashionable alternative country sound, she keeps one cowboy-booted foot in each camp. Recorded in her brother’s kitchen using an old refrigerator box as a vocal booth, her latest album, The Kitchen Table Sessions, contains hectic bluegrass versions of Dave Dobbyn’s “Slice of Heaven” and Scribe’s “Not Many” alongside the kinds of glossy ballads you might hear at the annual Gold Guitar Awards in Gore. Throughout, Neilson sings her heart out, recalling a cross between Roy Orbison and Patsy Cline.
“Well, country has a lot of range, and I try to get all that range into my music. A lot of people over here say they hate country music, yet they love Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams and Ryan Adams, and you can’t spit in New Zealand without hitting a country music club. You guys love country but you just don’t know it.”
Back in Ontario, Neilson’s parents played music professionally since before she was born. “We have footage of me on stage with them in a little frilly white dress when I’m not even two. I can’t talk yet, but I can sing. My dad’s trying to get the microphone off me, and I’m freaking out, and Mum’s waving my milk bottle at me to seduce me off the stage.”
From the age of 12, Neilson travelled with her parents and two brothers in a Partridge Family-style motor home, playing as a family band across Canada and the US. They performed regularly on TV, had two Top 20 hits, and shared stages with Brenda Lee and Loretta Lynn. She even opened for Johnny Cash in her pyjamas after an electrical fire on the bus destroyed their stage outfits.
“And then I married a New Zealander and had to start all over again. That was a real shock. I’d had this professional career since I was a teenager, then five years ago I had to start afresh in this place where so many people are hostile towards country music. Back in North America, country music is seen as being cool and cutting edge, whereas in New Zealand I was getting all this advice from people in the music industry, like, ‘Don’t say the ‘C’ word. It’s a dirty word over here.’ I was like, really?
“But at least I’m unique here. The fact that I’m singing country is a point of difference, and so is the fact that I’m this maple Kiwi: half Canadian, half Kiwi. Also, I think being Canadian gave me the confidence to do country versions of Kiwi songs that are iconic to you guys, whereas Kiwi musicians might be afraid to try things like that because of that whole tall poppy thing.
“Really, winning you guys over is like a challenge to me, and it seems to be working. Every time I tour, there are more hip, young city people at my gigs, and the minute we pull out a banjo, they freak out, they’re so excited. People are like, ‘Banjo! Awesome!’ Maybe it’s finally becoming cool to be a hick.” “The minute we pull out a banjo, people are like, ‘Awesome!’ Maybe it’s finally becoming cool to be a hick”

Neilson Wins Again!

2010-06-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Tami Neilson and Matt Langley Strike Country Gold

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 Song of 2010 at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore tonight (June 4).

Tami Neilson has followed up her 2009 win by picking up the Recording Industry Association (RIANZ) Best Country Music Album while Matt Langley has taken out the APRA Best Country Song for 2010.

Auckland-based Neilson’s ‘The Kitchen Table Sessions’ took out the award ahead of other finalists The Bads for ‘So Alive’ and The Topp Twins for ‘Honky Tonk Angel’.

‘The Kitchen Table Sessions’ features guest performances by members of the Neilson family and includes several blue grass takes on classic songs such as ‘Slice of Heaven’, ‘Salty Dog Blues’ and ‘I Fall to Pieces’.

Tami is no stranger to the Country Music Awards with her album ‘Red Dirt Angel’ winning Best Country Music Album last year. Her single ‘Cry Myself to Sleep’ was also a finalist for the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Best Country Song Award.

Canadian-born Neilson’s soulful take on country music has seen her carve a solid following in both New Zealand and Australia.

Having toured Canada with her parents’ band as a young girl, Tami is used to living life on the move. As well as and several stints in Australia and New Zealand, she recently finished the ‘Saints and Sinners’ tour of New Zealand, which received rave reviews. Tami will also be touring Canada in July.

RIANZ CEO Campbell Smith says Tami’s win highlights the calibre of country music artists in New Zealand. “This is Tami’s second Tui in as many years and that in itself shows just how talented and prolific she is as an artist. She is a wonderful asset to our local country music scene and is very deserving of the recognition that taking home a Tui brings.”

Ant Healey, director of New Zealand operations for APRA, says: “We have a uniquely Kiwi take on country music in New Zealand and each year it’s exciting for us to see what local writers are producing. It’s great to see excellent musicians such as Tami and Matt being recognised for their contribution to a great genre of music.”

Attracting more than 5,000 country music fans during the festival, Gore’s Gold Guitar week is in its 37th year.

http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2010/06/08/country-music-award-winners-announced/

Country Album Finalists Announced

2010-05-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

The finalists for the RIANZ Best Country Music Album 2010 were announced today.

They are The Bads for 'So Alive', Tami Neilson for 'The Kitchen Table Sessions' and The Topp Twins for 'Honky Tonk Angel'.

Awards are to be presented on June 4 at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore.

Dianne Swann and Brett Adams are The Bads and they have worked together since 1992. So Alive is the duo's 2nd album, four years after 'Earth From Space'. The title track was the first single from the album and was featured as the theme song for the award winning TV series 'Hunger For The Wild'.

Canada-raised Tami Neilson features in the RIANZ Best Country Music Album Award category for the second year in a row after taking out the title in 2009 for 'Red Dirt Angel'.
Neilson now lives in Auckland and tours New Zealand regularly. 'The Kitchen Table Sessions' was recorded with various other Neilson family members and features a blue grass version of Dave Dobbyn's 'Slice of Heaven'.

Lynda and Jools Topp are New Zealand cultural icons and extremely talented songwriters and recording artists, as critics the world over acknowledge. They have two previous Best Country album wins - for 'Grass Highway' in 2001 and 'Flowergirls and Cowgirls' in 2005. In 2008 they were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
'Honky Tonk Angel' was produced by old friend Don McGlashan with his band The Seven Sisters playing on most of the tracks.

RIANZ CEO Campbell Smith is glad he's not one of the judges:
"This is one of the strongest line-ups in this RIANZ Best Country Album category that I can remember. Two of the finalists have won the award before and the third is one of New Zealand's most talented duos. It's going to be very hard to pick a winner.
"I wish all three finalists the best of luck."

Canada Shows Announced!

2010-05-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

Having just been nominated for the 2nd year in a row for New Zealand's Best Country Album, Tami Neilson is reunited with her family to perform songs from their award-nominated 'The Kitchen Table Sessions" album. She will also be joined by special guest, New Zealand artist Lauren Thomson!

This only comes around once a year with a few exclusive shows in Ontario, so don't miss out!

25 June: Moonshine Cafe, Oakville, 9pm
BUY TICKETS:

http://www.sellyourevents.com/TamiNeilsonTheKitchenTableSessionsLIVE!TheMoonshineCafe.aspx

26 June: Kerr St Market, Oakville, 10am-1pm

27 June: Legion Hall, Stoney Creek, 3pm

9 July: London Music Club, London, 7:30pm
BUY TICKETS:

http://www.ticketscene.ca/events/1930

10 July: South Simcoe Theatre, Cookstown, 8pm
BUY TICKETS:

http://www.sellyourevents.com/eventpage.aspx?name=TamiNeilsonTheKitchenTableSessionsfeaturingRonNeilsonJayNeilsonspecialguestLaurenThomson

An Encore Auckland Show Added to Saints & Sinners Tour!

2010-02-20T20:24:00.000-08:00

For those of you who missed out the first time around, or wished you'd brought your friends (or Mums!) Saints & Sinners has added another Auckland show to the tour!

SUNDAY, MARCH 7th
JUICE BAR @ The Windsor Castle, Parnell Road
Doors open 7.00pm, show starts 7.30pm

Tickets: Under The Radar www.undertheradar.co.nz
Door Sales $15

Check out the following fantastic review of the show by Graham Reid, as well as a live performance on Good Morning:

http://tvnz.co.nz/good-morning/s2010-e120210-saintsandsinners-video-3362807

Review by Graham Reid
"SAINTS & SINNERS
Jackie Bristow, Lauren Thomson and Tami Neilson
Feb 2010

I seriously doubt you'll find three more talented women sharing a stage anywhere in this country than these singer-songwriters: not only do they individually have terrific and memorable songs (many of them), but they play the heartfelt ones from places deep inside and their kick-arse ones with undiluted energy.

Their humour is unaffected and infectious (a fluffed intro, a compliment that comes out wrong and so on are laughed off) and I have rarely been to a gig where there is such a sense of joy, and sheer delight in playing music for an audience. Not for these women some shoe gazing or "shucks you guys". They play their songs for themselves but reach out to their audience.

I guess that comes from having separately played gigs across the States and in Canada, and knowing that you have to try harder once you get under the lights.

But never once did these women look like they were trying: they just let the songs come out, sang harmonies with each other, swapped around their instruments and delivered great original songs (and a couple of stomping covers), some of which sound to me like contemporary alt.country classics.

I'm not going to single any one of them out, or indeed any song.

My advice is just go and see them, get a beer and prepare to be amused, engaged, made to think and laugh.

Take cash too because I'd bet you'll want to buy their albums on the door on your way out.

I'm told they are coming back for another gig in Auckland after their Saints and Sinners tour around the country.

I'll see you there -- because I /will/ be there. Again. And again.

Graham Reid
www.elsewhere.co.nz

2009-11-30T20:02:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you mix the winner of this years’ Tui Award, a Silver Scroll nominee and the winner of an International Songwriting Competition?

A divine and potent cocktail called “Saints and Sinners”.

Internationally acclaimed female songsmiths Tami Neilson, Lauren Thomson and Jackie Bristow will be swapping songs and stories in front of audiences on a 12-date national tour in February 2010.

This writers-in-the-round show will be an intimate acoustic evening, three solo artists joining forces on stage and sharing the experiences that inspired their songs, from opening for Johnny Cash and Art Garfunkel to touring from Canada to Europe, the USA to Japan. Drawing comparisons with Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin and Roy Orbison, these women bring 3 unique voices together for a rare collaborative show.

Thursday 4th Feb...HAMILTON, The Academy of Performing Arts
Friday 5th Feb...RAGLAN, Orca
Saturday 6th Feb...AUCKLAND, Juice Bar @ Windsor Castle
Sunday 7th Feb...WHANGAREI, Salut Bar

Thursday 11th Feb...WELLINGTON, Mighty Mighty
Friday 12th Feb...CARTERTON, The Lounge
Saturday 13th Feb...PETONE, Wellington Bluegrass Society
Sunday 14th Feb...CHRISTCHURCH, Harbourlight Theatre, Lyttleton

Tuesday 16th Feb...DUNEDIN, Chicks Hotel, Port Chalmers
Wednesday 17th Feb...MOERAKI, Fleurs Place
Thursday 18th Feb...GORE, The Little Theatre
Friday 19th Feb...INVERCARGILL, The Repertory Theatre

All shows start at 8pm

Buy Your Tickets Today at: http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/utr/tour/id/736/title/Saints_and_Sinners_Tour:_Tami_Neilson,_Lauren_Thomson_and_Jackie_Bristow_.utr

"The Kitchen Table Sessions" Album Review...

2009-11-16T15:43:00.000-08:00

"It's a curious thing that in New Zealand where country and alt.country of various persuasions has become increasingly popular that an album like this slips past most people. It slipped past me until very recently, although I'm pleased to note her previous one Red Dirt Angel, didn't go around the judges at the 2009 music awards who picked it as the country album of last year.

Without having heard the other contenders for next year I'm prepared to bet this will be pretty far ahead the rest of the pack. It shifts easily from being moving to upbeat fun, delightful to raunchy . . .

Canadian-born Neilson grew up in a family of musicians and was part of their traveling band (a country music Partridge Family, she jokes) but has moved to this far side of the world.

While back in Canada seeing family they were sitting around the kitchen table swapping songs and so the idea of an equally informal album was born.

That's not to say these 16 songs (among them some terrific originals, more of that soon) are lo-fi and aw-shucks. These are smart and sensitively produced songs, just tune in to the aural clarity and early Cowboy Junkies-like guitar sound on her cover of Dream with her brother Jay. Beautiful.

Recorded in Canada with various Neilsons (Marian Burns' fiddle part was recorded in New Zealand), this one also takes some serious chances: a banjo-driven version of Sam and Dave's sexual steamer Hold On? A bluegrass take on Dave Dobbyn's Slice of Heaven? The old Salty Dog Blues?
Only the most confident of talents would take those chances -- and Neilson certainly has that self-assurance. (She was "Amy Winehouse" on a Stars in Their Eyes show which is ample evidence for me.)
She opens with the alarmingly good original Cry Myself to Sleep which works those dramatic Roy Orbison/Gene Pitney emotions: "I wave hello and my smile is bright, I am so gracious, so polite each time you pass me on the street, and then I cry myself to sleep. And when I'm laughing with my friends, they say they're glad I'm on the mend . . ."
This exceptional song is co-written with Jay, and their writing partnership forms the backbone of this album (six of the 12 Neilson family originals here) and is about as good as it gets in country music.
When she and Jay merge their voices (be it on the gentle ballad Full of Moon or the uptempo tunes) real magic sparks.
And these songs have classic country emotions being pulled apart: "You want to kiss and pretend that we've never met" on the aching I Fall to Pieces; "I didn't believe my eyes until you waved goodbye" on the haunting Girl on the Moon; "You say my name when we enter a room with your hand on the small of my back" on the lovely My Name . . .
There's also the raunchy Six Months Married which would rock any bar, let alone a kitchen.

That subtitle "Volume 1" just makes you want them to get together in the Neilson kitchen again real soon. Excellent album. "- Graham Reid, Elsewhere

New Album & Website Launch!

2009-10-08T18:43:00.001-07:00

We are proud to announce that Tami's new CD "The Kitchen Table Sessions" is being released to stores on 19th Oct! So, we thought, what better way to celebrate than to go all-out and launch a brand new website? It's pretty fancy- more music, media clips and better access to the online store where you can buy both the new "Kitchen Table Sessions" as well as Tami's first Tui-Award winning album "Red Dirt Angel". Be sure to join Tami's mailing list on the home page to keep up with all the upcoming shows (like her album launch party coming up soon!) and just plain old juicy gossip ;)

We hope you enjoy!

About "Tami Neilson- The Kitchen Table Sessions":

"This project was recorded on a visit back to Canada over the Christmas holidays in Jan 2009. while sitting around my brother's kitchen table, various Neilsons dropped in, playing instruments, stomping their feet, singing along to old songs, writing new ones, knitting, cooking, laughing and reminiscing. We drank vast amounts of Tim Hortons hot chocolate and feasted on my sister-in-law's southern fried chicken to keep warm and cozy while the winter snow piled up on the doorstep outside.

I love making music with my family. It used to be our way of life, what we did everyday for a living. It was just "normal"...(if normal was the Partridge Family). Now, living on the other side of the earth, it has become something special and rare and precious. So, it was fun to capture that feeling of going back in time for a little while, back to when it was no work and all play with my siblings and parents. A holiday from being a grown-up.

So, pull up a chair at our kitchen table and feel free to join in if you like!"

-Tami Neilson Auckland, New Zealand

Tami's "Red Dirt Angel" is Air New Zealand's Top Pick of the Month!

2009-09-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

I always say that I've spent so much time and money over the years flying back and forth from Canada to NZ on Air New Zealand that I should have shares in the company...well, it looks like they're showing me some sweet airline love, choosing me as their Top Pick of the Month for their in-flight entertainment magazine "Kia Ora"! Woot woot! So, if any of you are flying Air NZ, please be sure to watch the safety video and note the exits, then recline your seat and tune in to some Red Dirt Angel.

Thank you for flying with us :)

The Canadian Tour

2009-08-07T16:54:00.000-07:00

Howdy Folks!

Just wanted to let you know that I am having a GREAT time so far on my Canadian Tour- fresh off the plane, I played to a crowd of 2000 at Kempenfest's outdoor Mainstage, accompanied by my fantastic "Neilson Boys"- my Dad (Ron) and brother Jay- and got a standing ovation! A great way to kick off 6 weeks of summertime shows!

ALSO, for my Kiwi Peeps, you can win a copy of my first album "Red Dirt Angel" online through M2Woman magazine. You can enter the CD draw today by clicking the following link:

http://www.m2woman.co.nz/win.php/winid/win-tami-neilson-s-red-dirt-angel

...and if you REALLY miss me, you can tune in to Pacific Beat St this Saturday morning on TV3 or Saturday evening on Maori TV for a cheeky interview and performance.
Now I'm off to nurse my wee sunburn- ah, the struggles of summer!

Love,
Tami :)

New Videos on YouTube!

2009-07-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

Click on the links below to watch Tami's live performances of 2 new tracks off of the soon-to-be-released "The Kitchen Table Sessions". Live on TVNZ Good Morning Show (at a time of the day when the only place anyone should be singing is in the shower, not on National television. Hehe.)

"Cry Myself to Sleep" (nominated for APRA Best Country Song 2009)-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHIieciMzIM
"Hold On, I'm Coming"-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIxAk6gRSZU

Be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think :)

Tami Neilson Wins Best Album Tui!

2009-06-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

Aucklander Tami Neilson walked away with the 2009 Recording Industry Association of New Zealand Best Country Music Album award at the St James Theatre, Gore, last night.

Heralding the business end of the week-long Gold Guitars Awards in Gore, which culminate tomorrow night, the New Zealand Country Music Awards ceremony also included the Australasian Performing Rights Association Best Country Song award, won by Wellington singer-songwriter Jess Chambers.

Neilson, a Canadian who has lived in Auckland for the past three years, claimed the Tui for her album, Red Dirt Angel, released in April 2008.

Tami Neilson, who will also be acknowledged at the New Zealand Music Awards (Tuis) in Auckland in October, is a prolific artist and performer, touring New Zealand three times last year and also completing a 10-day season in Tamworth with New Zealand fiddle player Marian Burns.
She has also appeared on TV1's Good Morning programme and impersonated controversial soul singer Amy Winehouse on TVNZ's Stars in Their Eyes.

New Zealand Music Awards spokesman Campbell Smith said Neilson's award was well deserved. "Tami has toured tirelessly since a child," Mr Smith said. "She is a real asset to New Zealand country music and thoroughly deserves the acknowledgement that a Tui brings."

Neilson's single Cry Myself To Sleep was also a finalist for the APRA Best Country Song Award, won by Chambers for her track, Stringing Me Along, from the 2008 album The Woolshed Sessions, a collaboration with some of New Zealand's most respected independent musicians, including Age Pryor and Lee Prebble.

It's an honor to be nominated...

2009-05-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to say that...and now I can, thanks to RIANZ! 'Red Dirt Angel' has been nominated for a Tui: Best Country Album 2009!

...and if that weren't exciting enough, my upcoming single ("Cry Myself to Sleep") from the new CD "The Kitchen Table Sessions" is also nominated for APRA Best Country Song! Yeeeeeehaw!

For those of you in the Auckland area, please come out this Thursday and celebrate this exciting news at The Kings Arms with me...show starts at 8 pm. Not only will you get to see me and my full band of guitar strumming, banjo picking, bass thumping, fiddle (Marian Burns) and mandolin playing musicians, but, my lovely opening act are fellow nominees "The Heartleys". It's going to be a great show that you won't want to miss at only $10 a ticket :)

News release
May 4, 2009

Country music award finalists announced

Country music is in the spotlight as NZ Music Month gets underway with the announcement of the finalists for the RIANZ Best Country Music Album of 2009 and the APRA Best Country Song of the year.

Both awards are to be presented at the New Zealand Country Music Awards on May 29 in Gore.

Finalists for the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) Best Country Music Album Tui are Annette & Kim for “Something Between Us”, Kylie Austin for “When It Rains” and Tami Neilson for “Red Dirt Angel”.

Tami Neilson is also a finalist for the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Best Country Song Award for “Cry Myself To Sleep”, the first single from her soon-to-be-released album "The Kitchen Table Sessions".

The other two finalists vying for the best song are Kayla Mahon, TaylorCairns and Andrea Cruickshank for “Facing The World” and Jess Chambers for “Stringing Me Along”.

So, there you have it, folks- cross your fingers for me on 29 May and I'll let you know how it goes....*crossing my fingers so hard I'm losing circulation* hehe.

FREE Music and Sneak-Preview Shows!!!

2009-04-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

Hello Guys and Dolls,

Well, I promised that you would get a sneak preview of "The Kitchen Table Sessions"...an exclusive FREE download for you lovely "Tami supporters", all you have to do is visit www.reverbnation.com/tamineilson to download it!

"Cry Myself to Sleep" is set to be the first single off of my upcoming release and, as I found out this week, is a Top 10 finalist in the MLT Songwriting Awards. (Yay!) Would love to hear what you think of it.

For those of you in New Zealand, you can get a SECRET pre-release copy of the CD only available at gigs on my NZ Music Month mini-tour, hitting Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Oamaru- to name a few (for more details and updates see Show Schedule), it would be great to see you, your support is always appreciated :)

Thank you from the bottom of my wee Canadian-Kiwi heart,
Tami

Something's Cookin' in the Kitchen...

2009-02-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

If you think you smell something good coming from the kitchen...that might just be my brother/producer Jay Neilson cooking up our new CD "The Kitchen Table Sessions"!!!

We're really excited about this new project, which we recorded sitting around the kitchen table with assorted members of The Neilson family, singing, picking, laughing and partaking in large amounts of Tim Hortons donuts and hot chocolate, while the Canadian winter snow piled up on the doorstep outside.

Now, when it comes to cooking, we all know Mama gives her young 'uns the spoon to lick as a little treat while they wait, so, to say thanks for being a Fan, I'll soon be posting a Fan Exclusive FREE DOWNLOAD of one of the songs on the new album!

Not a fan yet? (I'm crushed. You've cut me...you've cut me deep.) It's as easy as entering your email address right here! Come onnnn, do it! ;)

See you soon with a free taste!

Tami x

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

Just a little note to say Merry Christmas and thank you for your support (coming to my concerts, buying my CDs, giving me foot massages after a hard gig...ok, that last one hasn't happened, but...hint hint....) this past year!

Only 3 more sleeps til Christmas and THEN, I am heading home to Canada to have a belated white Christmas with the family on 27 December. I'll be home for 3 weeks, recording a new CD with all The Neilsons playing instruments, singing harmonies- an acoustic CD recorded around the kitchen table, so, please watch out for that release in 2009!

If you feel like you need a fix of Christmas spirit to kick off your festive celebrations, please come out to see me at The Kings Arms tomorrow night, opening for The Darlings (feat. Jackie Clark) and The Waltons! I'll be joined by some fantastic musicians/guests: Rob Galley on guitar, Marian Burns on fiddle and Mike Hood on mandolin and dobro!! The night kicks off at 8 pm and is only $ 5 for 3 great (blush) acts!!!

Hope to see you there!
Tami x

Tami Sings While Old Ladies Throw Their Panties!!? (Ok, let me explain...)

2008-10-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys and Gals!

I've been getting texts and emails in regards to the new Warehouse commercial on TV, so, to eliminate any doubt, yes, that is MOI singing "I'm Feeling Good" while old ladies throw their panties!!! For those of you who haven't seen it (especially my Canadian contingent, as it only airs in NZ) you can click on the following link to have a peek! (Not that you'll actually see me, I'm just the voice, not the face...that woulda cost them extra *wink* hehe.)

Tami Warehouse Ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H71NZBrooQ

TAMI NEILSON @ The Kings Arms, Sun Oct 26th!!!

For any of you in the Auckland area on Labour Weekend, why don't you pop over to The King's Arms @ 7:30 pm and throw your juiciest tomatoes as I open as support for Tim Werry & The Waltons...(no, no, not the "Goodnight, John-Boy" Waltons, I thought I'd better clarify that before you all race out in a frenzy of excitement with your autograph books and flannel, plaid shirts...).
That said, you are still welcome to wear flannel, plaid shirts...just as long as you come out and clap and stomp your feet and wave your cell phone and sway during the slow songs (cigarette lighters are just SO yesterday...)!

Entry is $20 @ the door.

Thanks everyone!

Hope to see you there :)

Tami Neilson gets plastered on the hood of a Mazda by the red carpet @ the NZ Music Awards!!!

2008-10-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

...and here is the photo to prove it!

(Obviously her brief stint as troubled singer Amy Winehouse on "Stars in Their Eyes" has turned into life imitating art...*sigh* So very very sad.)

Drumroll, please...

Tami on tour with "Dugan sings Cash" in August/Sept!

2008-07-28T01:42:00.000-07:00

After rave reviews in the South Island, the "Dugan Sings Cash" tour is now doing another 11-show run in the North Island! Tami has once again been asked to perform as support for Brendan Dugan, singing the songs of June Carter Cash, as well as songs from her new release, "Red Dirt Angel"! Watch for them coming to a town near you:

Wed 27th Aug-Napier-RSA

Thu 28th Aug-Pukekohe-Town Hall

Fri 29th Aug-Whangarei-Forum North

Sat 30th Aug-Tauranga-Bay Court

Sun 31st Aug-North Shore, Auckland-Bruce Mason

Tue 2nd Sep-Hamilton-Clarence Street

Wed 3rd Sep-Wanganui-Opera House

Thu 4th Sep-New Plymouth-Theatre Royal

Fri 5th Sep-Taupo-Great Lakes Centre

Sat 6th Sep-Upper Hutt-Expressions

Sun 7th Sep-P. North-Regent Theatre

Join Tami's New Mailing List!

2008-07-28T01:32:00.000-07:00

Want news on upcoming gigs, new songs, videos and tours coming to a town near you? Or maybe you just need a little gossip from a crazy Canadian once in a while (don't we all?)

Sign up to Tami's mailing list @ www.reverbnation.com/tamineilson

There may even be a free jellybean in it for ya ;)

Otago Daily Times interviews Tami about judging at the Gold Guitar Awards...

2008-06-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/music/7941/three-chords-and-truth

Tami as Amy Winehouse on "Stars In Their Eyes"...

2008-06-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

Something for a bit of fun... Tami made an appearance on TVNZ's "Stars in Their Eyes"...and tied for first place with Cher! After an audience re-vote, Cher won by ONE VOTE! Bugger ;)

Canadian Invasion: Brother and Sister Band, Tami & Jay Neilson Take Over NZ!!!

2008-04-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

They were raised in Canada, by parents with a closet full of sequined stage costumes and platform shoes.

They grew up in a house where amplifiers and guitar cases were just as much a part of the furniture as chairs and tables, and when most kids are still singing nursery rhymes in the bathtub, they were travelling across North America in a 34 foot motor home, performing professionally in their family band (No, no- not the Partridge Family- next guess…) The Neilsons.

Sharing the stage with the likes of Johnny Cash, they appeared regularly on television and radio, promoting their independent CD, releasing 2 singles on the Canadian music charts. They also managed to score an award-winning music video for their single "Windows to The Past".

Then Tami met a boy.

Not just any boy, mind you, but a Kiwi that lived on the other side of the world.

She arrived in NZ with her guitar and a couple suitcases (massive, stretched-to-the-baggage-allowance-limit suitcases, but suitcases nonetheless) to a gorgeous new land…and a city where nobody had ever heard of The Neilsons. Tami who?!

So, after rolling up her sleeves and starting from scratch as a solo artist- performing at Parachute Music Festival, showcasing as the support act on numerous NZ tours, making television appearances on the “Good Morning Show” and as a contestant on TVNZ “Stars in Their Eyes”-Tami is now embarking on a tour to promote the nation-wide release of her debut album, “Red Dirt Angel” (which includes a duet with Joanne Cash- Johnny’s little sister!).

With her brother Jay (aka “Johnny Confidence”- a successful pop/rock artist in his own right!) flying over to be her support act, their show is guaranteed to be a great night full of crazy stories and amazing performances of their acoustic, harmony-infused music. Get ready for the Canadian Invasion of a town near you!

http://www.tamineilson.com/
www.myspace.com/JOHNNYCONFIDENCEONLINE

For More Info and Media Enquiries Contact: Ben McDonald, Ph 021 0335 974, 03 332 0039, Email: benmcdonald@xtra.co.nz

When & Where:

Auckland: Back Beat - Fri 9th May – 7:30pm
Wellington: Bodega - Thu 15th May – 8pm
Cook Strait: The Inter Islander - Fri 16th May
Nelson: The Boat House - Fri 16th May – 8pm
Motueka: Hot Mamas - Sat 17th May – 7:30pm
Picton: Le Cafe - Sun 18th May – 7:30pm
Greymouth: Regent Theatre - Tue 20th May – 7:30pm
Geraldine: Easyway Café - Wed 21st May – 7:30pm
Oamaru: The Penguin Club - Thu 22nd May – 8:30pm
Lyttelton :The Harbour Light - Fri 23rd May – 8pm
Wanaka: Cinema Paradiso - Sat 24th May – 7:30pm
Queenstown: Revolver - Sun 25th May – 7:30pm
Dunedin: Back Stage - Mon 26th May – 7:30pm
Gore: The Old Post - Tue 27th May – 7:30pm
Invercargill: Tillerman’s - Wed 28th May – 7:30pm

Dugan sings Cash with Tami Neilson and The Walk the Line Band!

2008-02-15T22:20:00.000-08:00

New Zealand’s own “Man in Black” takes to the stage in 2008 to perform the songs of Johnny Cash.
During the successful Highway of Legends Tours, Brendan Dugan sang a medley of Johnny Cash songs – this proved to be the biggest hit of the tour and brought the house down night after night.
So now, to celebrate Brendan’s 40th year in show business, Ben McDonald is thrilled to present “Dugan Sings Cash with The Walk the Line Band!”

He will be joined by Canadian artist Tami Neilson.

Tami brings something special to the tour with her connections to the Cash family. Raised performing across North America she has shared the stage with Johnny Cash and also has a friendship with his sister Joanne. Along with performing her single “Sister Cash”, which she recently composed and recorded in Nashville as a duet with Joanne Cash, she will be singing the songs of June Carter in the show.

Nelson- Trafalgar Centre- Wed 27th Feb
Blenheim- Clubs Marlborough- Thu 28th Feb
Greymouth- Regent Theatre- Fri 29th Feb
Christchurch- Richmond WMC- Sat 1st March
Ashburton- College Auditorium -Sun 2nd March
Timaru- Theatre Royal- Tue 4th March
Dunedin- Mayfair Theatre- Wed 5th March
Gore- Calvin Auditorium- Thu 6th March
Invercargill- Centre Stage- Fri 7th March

Watch Tami's videos on Youtube!

2007-12-27T16:56:00.000-08:00

Go to www.youtube.com/tamineilsondotcom to watch Tami's latest television performances and interviews- You can even subscribe to her channel "tamineilsondotcom"!

Tami on the "Good Morning Show", 22nd November!

2007-11-13T20:29:00.000-08:00

Catch Tami's performance and interview on TVNZ's "The Good Morning Show" next Thurs, 22 November! She'll be performing 3 of her original songs throughout the programme.

For those of you outside of New Zealand, you can still have a peek! The show is streamed live on the internet, and remains on the website for 24 hours. (Remember, we're a day ahead of the rest of the world, so, it'll be on around 3pm on Wed the 21st Nov in Canada!)

Just go to http://www.tvnz.co.nz/ keyword: Good Morning. Then click on "Watch the Show" near the top left side of the page.

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille...

The Spring Fever Road Show!

2007-09-13T14:49:00.001-07:00

Come out and see Tami perform on tour with "The Spring Fever Road Show":

September:

Greymouth, Fri 21st, 7:30pm
Regent Theatre, Book at Venue

Westport, Sat 22nd, 7:30pm
St James Theatre, Book at Westport iSite Information Centre

Motueka, Sun 23rd, 2:30pm
Chanel Arts Centre, Book at Budden’s Bookshop

Nelson, Sun 23rd, 8pm
Rutherford Hotel, Book at Nelson School of Music

Akaroa, Tue 25th, 7:30pm
Gaiety Hall, Book at Akaroa Information Centre

Kaikoura, Wed 26th, 7:30pm
Memorial Hall, Book at Kaikoura iSite Informtion Centre

Blenheim, Thu 27th, 7:30pm
Marlborough Centre, Book at Venue, Tasman TicketDirect

Christchurch, Fri 28th, 8pm
Town Hall, Cambridge Room, Book at Ticketek

Timaru, Sat 29th, 7:30pm
Theatre Royal, Book at Newman’s MusicWorks

Ashburton, Sun 30th, 1:30pm
Hotel Ashburton, Book at Camera World TicketDirect

Geraldine, Sun 30th, 8pm
Town & Country Club, Book at Venue

October:

Oamaru, Mon 1st, 7:30pm
Brydone Hotel, Book at Oamaru iSite Information Centre

Dunedin, Wed 3rd Oct, 7:30pm
Mayfair Theatre, Book at Regent Ticketek

Gore, Thu 4th Oct, 7:30pm
St James Theatre, Book at Cairns MusicWorks

Alexandra, Fri 5th Oct, 7:30pm
Memorial Theatre, Book at Budge’s Pharmacy

Invercargill, Sat 6th Oct, 7:30pm
CenteStage, Book at ICC Booking Office

Te Anau, Sun 7th Oct, 1pm
Firodland Events Centre, Book at Fab and Finesse

Arrowtown, Sun 7th Oct, 8pm
Atheneum Hall, Book at Lakes District Museum

A Tami Neilson Fan!

2007-09-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Kim for sending in a video of her cute little guy, Dylan, singing "Missin the Groom" from Tami's CD!

Tami's NEW SITE

2007-08-23T15:44:00.001-07:00

Hey Everybody!
Tami has a new site!
Photos, Music, Downloads, and more!
Please check it out.

www.tamineilson.com