By RUSSELL BAILLIE
Veteran do-it-yourself rock artist Chris Knox has won the prize for best New Zealand song of the year - the Apra Silver Scroll.
My Only Friend, a rare love song in Knox's canon, was judged number one by fellow Kiwi songwriters at a ceremony at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna last night.
It was a rare award for Knox, also the creator of the Weekend Herald's Max Media strip.
His uncompromising musical approach has long made him an industry outsider, but he remains a respected figure and a cult hero in alternative rock circles, touring and releasing albums overseas regularly.
In his acceptance speech, Knox said: "I don't usually like awards, but this isn't about money or success - it's about the craft."
He added that he would probably spend the $3000 prize on a new TV.
Said his partner, Barbara Ward, for whom the song was written: "It's a song that always makes me cry."
The other nominees included last year's winner, King Kapisi, for Method of My Madness, Fur Patrol (Holy), Eye TV (One Day Ahead), Garageland (Trashcans), betchadupa (Empty Head), Greg Johnson (Hold Tight) and Barry Saunders (Rescue Me).
Awards for songs most played on the radio locally and overseas, respectively, went to stellar's Boh Runga for Violent and Neil Finn for long-running favourite Don't Dream It's Over.
Knox's rare love song takes prize
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