Hoe down with honky tonk twins

Country music might be enjoying a renaissance thanks to artists such as Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum, but the Topp Twins have been playing country for decades.
And the recent "discovery" of country music has left Jools Topp amused.
"A lot of young people think country music is new music," the singer and one-half of the Topp Twins says.
"Everybody loves country now, but we grew up on country. It's not hard for us to have a hoe-down together."
So that's exactly what they are doing with the Summer Hoe-Down 2011 tour, which takes in 13 venues - including Tauranga - in January and February.
Last year the twins played Wharepai Domain during their first summer wineries tour, on which they played with Don McGlashan - a continuation of a collaboration that began over their album Honky Tonk Angel.
This time round it's a completely different show, Jools says: "It's a big hoe-down, with lots of people on the road with us. It's all country, and we are showcasing four other acts.
"I think New Zealand is ready for a bit of a hoe-down."
Joining the Topp Twins on the tour will be the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, fiddler Marian Burns, and singers Tami Neilson and Cameron Luxton.
"We will showcase everyone else in the first half, and at the end of the night we will get to play with [everyone]," Jools explained.
"We are pretty excited about the gig, it's a new concept.
"It's quite rare for us to get to play with other musicians, let alone of such a good calibre."
And fans of the Topp Twins will be satisfied with the ladies themselves appearing on stage throughout the night, showcasing every aspect of their talents.
"The best thing is, people will get a bit of everything. Normally when we are doing our theatre shows, it will just be the Topp Twins characters.
"This time we get to play as ourselves, as well as introducing other musicians, and the characters will appear between the other artists.
"There will be a bit of yodelling, country music, some comedy, all the characters - all of these things make up a Topp Twins show.
"We try to fit all these things in so people feel they don't miss out on anything.
"When you see your favourite band, you want to see your old favourites. If they don't play them, people feel a bit brassed off.
"A lot of people love the characters - we are well aware that the crowd will want their share of the Top Twins. Hopefully people will enjoy it."
Jools says the tour offers an amazing line-up - and country fans might remember the Hamilton County Bluegrass band from their own TV show back in the day.
"It's a great hoe-down kind of sound."
The band has recently performed at a large bluegrass festival in the United States, and is the only New Zealand group ever to play at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
Burns has performed on the Topp Twins' two most recent albums, and is said to "create a party on stage".
"She's a great performer on her own, and will play with a band as well," Jools said.
Neilson won best female artist at the 2010 Country Music Awards, and won the New Zealand Music awards for best country album last year and this year.
The Canadian born singer performed with her family's band, The Neilsons, from age 10, and once even shared the stage with Johnny Cash.
Her latest album, The Kitchen Table Sessions, contains bluegrass versions of Dave Dobbyn's Slice of Heaven and Scribe's Not Many, as well as original music.
The final performer, Cameron Luxton, is just 15 and has a special connection to the Topp Twins - he is Lynda's step-son.
"He came on tour with us when he was about 11, and we are giving him another shot," Jools said.
"He's got to step up to the mark - he's working with some pretty amazing professionals and he's got a beautiful voice."
Nurturing young talent is a passion for the Topp Twins, who financially support winners at the New Zealand Country Music Awards to help them perform in Australian country music capital Tamworth.
"We are lucky we've got the platform so we can encourage a few up-and-coming artists.
"You've got to give a bit of service back to your craft. We have had a pretty good run with the Topp Twins, we've had a really supportive audience right from the word go, with the characters and comedy and political stuff and country music as well.
"We have had our very fair share of good luck."
That "good luck" included being named Legends of Country Music at this year's New Zealand Country Music Awards, being inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame two years ago, winning Country Music Group of the year last year and twice winning best country album at the New Zealand Music Awards.
And their "luck" extended to the success of The Topp Twins, Untouchable Girls - a little documentary which ended up as the No1 documentary ever to be released in New Zealand.
The film went on to win 19 international awards, and is currently being considered in Los Angeles for another award for international documentary of the year.
"When we went to America people said 'what a really refreshing story'.
"It's not made up, there's nothing American about it, there's no Hollywood in it, and people thought that was cool.
"That's how Kiwis are - they tell it like it is, and they found that refreshing."
Their refreshing attitude is equally appreciated by Kiwis, and Jools reckons an outdoors environment such as at Wharepai Domain is perfect for a laid-back summer evening.
"There's something about being outside with a picnic on a hill - it's so Kiwi," she said.
"They can get up and dance if they like, to some old-time country music."
The Topp Twins Summer Hoe-Down tour, Wharepai Domain, Thursday, February 3. Tickets from Ticketdirect.