Horowhenua StarCountry singers from all over New Zealand will mosey into town for the annual Pounamu Country Music Awards this weekend.
The lure for many is a chance to qualify for the NZ Entertainer of the Year Awards in Rotorua next year, as the winners in each category gain automatic entry.
Long-time Pounamu club member Gordon Fletcher did just that in Nelson last weekend at the New Zealand Sun City Country Music Awards, one of several major qualifying events held throughout the country through the year.
Gordon was crowned overall winner in the veterans section, singing songs like Your Song and Wine into Water, while adding a slight twist to another called Long-Haired Country Boy.
He made it his own, singing the lyric “Grey-Haired Country Boy”, winning the country rock section.
NZ Country Music president Lesley Niania says the song is “a bit sassy and a bit cheeky”, and Gordon nailed it, getting a unanimous nod from the eight judges.
“He has a wonderful range. He looks like Kenny Rogers, and has a voice that is recognisable,” she says.
Gordon, 71, joined the club seven years ago, having sung mostly “at home and in the car”, although he had done a couple of community musicals and a stint with a barbershop quartet.
“You think to yourself you’ll go along just for a listen and before you know it you’re up there. I think I was up on stage my second night. The club is very welcoming and encouraging,” he says.
He’d always liked country music, listening to the likes of Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers, but credits the music of Garth Brookes for “reigniting” a passion, and he loves the camaraderie and support of the club.
Pounamu secretary/treasurer Marion McMurray says Gordon could be proud. There were 380 contestants there, and he was up against 10 others in his section.
“It is an amazing feat,” she says.
Lesley has a theory why country music is so popular, apart from sounding good.
“It tells a story,” she says. “Rap is all about “tapping that…” and blues is all about “oh my wife left me and my dog died”, but country is all about family, the stories of the people, of falling in love and of heartbreak, and that’s why it connects people and connects with people,” she says.
Obviously country music is massive in the United States, but there are thriving scenes throughout New Zealand, and a large following in Horowhenua with the Pounamu Club and also the Delta Country Music Club in Foxton, she says.
Lesley says there’s some amazing talent around and clubs are always keen to welcome newcomers.
Meanwhile, Gordon won’t be performing at the Pounamu Awards, instead taking on a scrutineering role and vetting songs along with partner Roseanne.
But there is plenty of local talent that will be, joined by more than 100 entries from throughout New Zealand for what will be a full weekend of entertainment.
In a coup for organisers, they’ve secured Michael Tipping and The Bandits as the backing band, while guest performer is Rosemary Hack.
The Pounamu Awards are now in their eighth year and will again be held at the Hudson Room of the Levin Cosmopolitan Club. Heats start tomorrow (Saturday) morning from 8am, with the finals on Sunday starting at 10am.
OTHER STORIES
... loading ...
