Dobbyn on his way to Wairoa to celebrate 40 years in music

Dave Dobbyn is on his way to Wairoa

Bonafide Kiwi legend Dave Dobbyn is celebrating 40 years as a songwriter, recording artist and performer with a nationwide tour taking in 12 centres this including Wairoa's Gaiety Theatre on Sunday.

Dobbyn's is extraordinary musical career began with high school band Th' Dudes. His first try at writing a song was a 'disaster' and never saw the light of day, but he took the next attempt to the band.

That song Be Mine Tonight went on to be Th' Dudes first release and winner of Single of the Year at the National Music Awards in 1979.

Four decades on, Dave Dobbyn's music has become part of the nation's soundtrack. He has an astonishing 10 songwriting credits on APRA's Top 100 New Zealand Songs of All Time, featuring songs released by Th' Dudes, DD Smash and as a solo artist. He's won Best Male Vocalist a record six times and the most awards of any New Zealand musician - three Silver Scroll awards and 29 New Zealand Music Awards across his career. The music hasn't stopped coming - he released a 10th studio album as a solo artist, 'Harmony House', just last year.

All these songs and many more will feature in a theatre tour with Dobbyn and his full band, along with anecdotes about how the songs came to be written, told in his inimitable style.

The tour is a classic rock n roll roadtrip down the country, kicking off in Whangarei on 12 April and wrapping up just over two weeks later in Invercargill.

"Playing provincial New Zealand gigs is my favourite thing," Dobbyn said. "I love it so much, it's pure pleasure. Just being aware of the community and community life - everyone's celebrating, there's an energy flow that's healthily contagious."

The tour coincides with the release of the Slice Of Heaven - 40 Years of Hits album to be released by Sony on 7 April.