Christchurch musicians dominated the New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore last night.
A double win was notced up by Christchurch favourites Delaney Davidson and Marlon Williams at the award ceremony held as part of the Gold Guitar festival.
Their album Sad But True – The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Vol. 1, recorded by Ben Edwards of Lyttelton Records, won a Tui for Best Country Album and their single Bloodletter was awarded the Apra Best Country Song 2013.
Their “take on a classic American art form” was hailed for being “brilliantly executed” and “a real joy to listen to”.
Davidson said the pair had put a lot of work into the album and it was fantastic that people responded to that.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, he said he had been determined to go this year. “I was away last year so this time I’m able to drive down to Gore and attend the ceremony. It’s really exciting. I heard some stories about last time and was sorry to have missed the event.”
He said the new faces in country music “have gone from the window and are now sitting inside at the table – Marlon Williams, The Eastern, me, we are all Christchurch locals and all finalists in the Country Music Awards”.
Davidson said country music in New Zealand was becoming increasingly relevant, and had a winning combination of synthesis, high quality, DIY, and inventiveness.
Despite this it did not get a lot of media attention. “The only way I knew who [the finalists] were is because I was one.”
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