Dennis Marsh: With a Pacific twang

We asked Dennis Marsh what sort of music he would relax to. But when you consider the former New Zealand Country Music Entertainer of the Year released two albums last year, performs regularly and has just released yet another album - Sounds of the Pacific - you can understand why he says he's not sure he knows the meaning of the word "relax".

Marsh's new album is a collection of Pacific Island music and country tracks performed with "a Pacific vibe". His last album Through The Years - a greatest hits collection - sold 9000 copies and his last studio album Maori Songbook is certified platinum, ranking him in the top echelon of New Zealand recording artists.

DESCRIBE YOUR MUSICAL STYLE?

With harmonies and sound arrangements, I feel my style has a NZ flavour with the sounds of the 60s and 70s showbands. I have recorded country, gospel, easy listening, classic hits, NZ music and even a bit of reggae.

HOW IS YOUR NEW ALBUM DIFFERENT FROM MAORI SONGBOOK?

By adding ukulele and lap steel, this has given these tracks a Pacific sound - with a mixture of classic hits and songs to sing at parties.

WHICH TRACK HAS THE MOST MEANING TO YOU?

Choosing songs for specific albums is always difficult. Each song is chosen for a reason - if I had to choose one song, it would probably be Tiny Bubbles as most people know it and can sing along to it as soon as they hear it.

WHAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT YOU'VE SEEN IN MUSIC IN THE PAST FEW YEARS?

Technology, in recording and the purchasing of albums via the net.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE COUNTRY ARTIST? WHAT ABOUT MAORI/PACIFIC ARTISTS?

Apart from Elvis, who sang many different genres of music including country, I'd choose Marty Robbins as my favourite country singer; Prince Tui Teka as my favourite Maori artist.

WHAT ALBUM WOULD YOU PUT ON TO RELAX?

I'm not sure what "relax" means but if I had to sit down, shut my eyes and listen, it would be Elvis or Marty Robbins, I guess.

WHAT ALBUM WOULD YOU PUT ON FOR A PARTY?

Probably my new album, Sounds of the Pacific!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TV SHOWS LIKE IDOL, THE VOICE AND THE X FACTOR?

I rarely watch TV - I have seen a couple of New Zealand's Got Talent and enjoyed some of the entertainers but I am looking forward to hosting a new TV series that is NOT a competition - A Country Shine.

I will be presenter/mentor and the series aims to encourage, promote and assist country music artists from all over New Zealand.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF NZ TO VISIT?

Maraetai - the Waitemata - my fishing spot!

TELL US THREE THINGS NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT DENNIS MARSH

There's probably not a lot most people don't know about me - I'm pretty much a people person so all the beans have been spilt!