Locals dominate festival of country music

LOCALS DOMINATE MUSIC AWARDS: Local musicians dominated Gisborne Country Music Awards this year. Faith Maynard-Northover (back from left) and Manawa Randall; (front from left) Puawai Kaitara and Ihaia Kaitara. Picture by Sarah Curtis

Local musicians’ display of vocal brilliance helped secure them the top spots at the Gisborne Country Music Awards.

Held over two days at the War Memorial Theatre and Gisborne RSA, there were 186 entries with competitors from Nelson, Whanganui, Auckland, Hamilton, Matamata, Napier, and Gisborne.

Gisborne Country Music Club members and musical talents Manawa Randall and Faith Maynard-Northover bagged prizes in multiple categories.

For his performance, Manawa received top spots for male solo, male gospel, male cross-over country, and runner-up for waiata Maori.

“It was my first time participating in the event and I had a really fun time singing my heart out,” Manawa said.

One of the memorable songs he sang during the event was American singer- songwriter Sam Cooke’s R&B original A Change is Gonna Come’.

“This piece helped me take the top prize in the male cross-over country category,” he said.

Like his younger brother Salem, the upcoming talent was raised around music.

“We sort of started off singing in our church and then when I was in high school I joined the choir.”

In 2021, Manawa and his band TMB won the regional SmokefreeRockquest and Tangata Beats award.

The band’s original song Nga Manu a Tane was recorded and is on Spotify.

Last December, both the Randall brothers found themselves among the top four finalists in the Whakaata Maori television show 5 Minutes of Fame — both receiving glowing compliments  from the show judges on their vocal abilities.

For her performance, Ms Maynard-Northover bagged prizes for best veteran gospel (female), veteran female solo, and veteran runner-up overall.

Some of her favourite songs included her winning song Nobody by American singer-songwriter Sylvia Jane Hutton (for veteran female solo) and gospel song Put Your Hand in the Hand by Canadian singer Anne Murray (for veteran gospel female).

“The gospel song especially was something that I grew up listening to and singing wherever I went. I sang it on multiple occasions including during funerals.

“So I was surprised when they called my name for the best performance in gospel category.”

Growing up in a musical family,  Ms Maynard-Northover joined the country music club in 1985.

“Both my father and mother — music teachers at school — used to sing.  So I grew up listening to piano music and rehearsed with the tunes. We also had trumpets and guitars to accompany us.

“We have been part of the club since we were babies and are now the second generation to pursue country music.”

Other winners included Puawai Kaitara and Ihaia Kaitara who won the Tiny Tots section and junior novice category respectively.