The Canadian Tour

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!

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!

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...

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!!!

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...

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!!!

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...)

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!!!

...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!

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