Gisborne Country Music Club brings home awards

Some of the award winners from Gisborne Country Music Club, from left, Whata Brown (Veteran Male Solo), Amarah Cameron (Junior Solo, Gospel and Country Rock) and Piripi Findlay (Senior Male Solo). Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne Country Music Club had another outstanding year at the New Zealand Country Music Awards, bringing home several top prizes.

“We are very proud of everyone in the club who took part in the competition,” said Gisborne Country Music Club president Florence Pahuru. The Gisborne club had finalists in 14 out of the 19 sections at the awards competition in Palmerston North this month, with many picking up the top prizes.

A group of 10 singers from Gisborne travelled to Palmerston North to compete in solo, gospel, country rock, Western, duo/group, NZ song and waiata Māori sections.

“As a club we have had many successes over the years and some very successful members who have reached the pinnacle in the world of country music,” Ms Pahuru said.  These have included winning the Gold Guitar Awards  and Entertainer of the Year Awards in all categories — Junior, Intermediate and Senior — Artist of the Year and New Talent in Tamworth. Members have also been guest artists and contestants in the Transtasman Awards on Norfolk Island. “The list goes on and on,” she said.

“We have members who perform as a group. East Coast Country is one but over the years we have had many successful groups in the club.”

The Gisborne Country Music Club was started in 1968 but became a more active group in 1972.

Results —

Junior Solo, Gospel and Country Rock: Amarrah Cameron.

Country Rock: Karley-Jewel Gordon, runner-up.

Junior Overall: Amarrah Cameron, qualifiying for  2024 Entertainer of the Year.

Veteran, Male Solo and Gospel: Whata Brown.

Senior, Male Solo: Piripi Findlay.

Open Group: East Coast Country (David and Rawinia Gordon and Piripi Findlay) runners- up.

Senior Female Solo: Amy Maynard

Senior Gospel: Charlie Wootton. Runner-up, Amy Maynard.

Senior  Country Rock:  Amy Maynard, runner- up

Open NZ Song and Open Old Time: Amy Maynard.

Open New Country:  Charlie Wootton

Waiata Māori: Country Spirit (Charlie Wootton and sister Florence). Amy Maynard, runner-up.

Senior Overall: Amy Maynard. Charlie Wootton, runner-up.