A wagonload of Wairarapa performers sang their way home yesterday after wrangling gold at a top South Island country music show. Among the group of about 20 performers and supporters was Masterton teenager Tanya Warren, 18, who once again proved she is the cowgirl with an award winning voice after winningthe Overall Intermediate section of the 25th annual Top of the South-Country Music Awards held in Motueka at the weekend. Warren also took first place honours in the Intermediate Solo, Intermediate Gospel, under 18 Country Rock and under 18 Best Dressed section at the prestigious awards show. Leanne Kjestrup-Traue, member of the Wairarapa group Country Connection, was guest artist and a judge at the awards this year after she captured the Overall section in 2008 and being crowned Top of the South Entertainer of The Year. Former Wairarapa Country Music Club president Jill Clarke said all the Wairarapa contestants "did us proud but Tanya was obviously the winner on the day". "The Wairarapa Country Music Club is so very proud of our Tanz," she said. Warren said she was surprised at her degree of success as the competition was tough and there were "many talented and amazing competitors". "I'm still in shock, I feel like I need to punch myself so I can stop dreaming. I was gob smacked when I found out I had won." Also down south supporting the talented teen were her mother, grandmother and sister and although her father, grandfather and brother were unable to attend the music awards they were the first to hear of her win at home. "Everyone's been really supportive, I'm over whelmed," Warren said. Warren said she has always had a passion for music, dancing and singing, and has performed around her Masterton home since she was a toddler. She said she would "absolutely love" to pursue a career in any genre of music and not just country and western. "It has been my dream for as long as I can remember," she said. Winning the national title may open many doors for Warren, she said, and could also win the attention of talent scouts. "But I'm only 18, so I have a lot of time ahead of me."
