Susan Johnson
Over Labour weekend the Nelson Country Music Club will be holding its popular 33rd annual country music awards.
It’s going to be a very busy weekend with 79 competitors and 366 performances over two days of judging starting at 8am each morning. In each category of the heats two finalists are chosen to go through to the showcase on Sunday night.
Performers ages range from 2 years to over 50 years and a cross-section of music will be featured from modern to classic songs. Most sections are for soloists but there are also duets and groups competing and a separate section for instrumentals. Two live bands will support the artists.
Due to the number of entrants the judging will be held at two venues, Club Waimea and the Richmond Bowling Club. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to come for the whole day for $5.
Seven judges will come from around New Zealand, from Gore to Auckland. Entertainers in their own right, they will be performing on Friday night.
“To lead by example and to show why they qualify to be judges,” says Paula Connor from the Sun City Awards Committee.
Paula has been helping to organise the awards for the last 25 years.
“It’s a wonderful event, seeing people who have been coming for years, they’re like family,” she says.