Dobbyn enters NZ Music Hall of Fame

The songs of Dave Dobbyn are deep inside every New Zealander, says APRA's writer-director Don MCGlashan. Photo / Dean Purcell

Dave Dobbyn is to receive the ultimate Kiwi music accolade - being inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

The singer-songwriter will be honoured in recognition of his near 40-year career at next week's APRA Silver Scrolls, the annual awards by the organisation representing local songwriters which will also name the song of the year from five finalists.

"It will still make me squirm on the night," says Dobbyn of becoming a hall-of-famer, "I've come to appreciate the grace of it ..."

Dobbyn is a three-time past Silver Scroll winner for Beside You (1998), You Oughta Be In Love (1987) and Belle of the Ball (1993).

"Dave Dobbyn's songs can be many things: devotional, angry, playful - but most of all they're generous and brave," said Don McGlashan, Dobbyn's recent tour-mate and APRA's writer-director.

"They can be whispered stories of hope and longing, or anthems bellowed by happy drunks along empty streets after the last bus has gone ... Dave's songs are deep inside every New Zealander."

APRA director Anthony Healey said: "Dave Dobbyn's music is very much at the heart of New Zealand's national soundtrack."

Past hall of fame inductees have included Jordan Luck, Johnny Devlin, the Topp Twins, Straitjacket Fits, Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns, Ray Columbus and the Invaders, The Fourmyula, Shihad, Hello Sailor, Dragon, Toy Love and Herbs.

nzherald.co.nz

The 48th annual APRA Silver Scrolls will be streamed live via nzherald.co.nz from Vector Arena on Tuesday, October 15.

Weekend Herald

An in-depth look back at Dobbyn's life and times features in this Saturday's Canvas magazine.