Latest news with #MLTGoldGuitarAwards
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Former winner claims racism rife at NZ Gold Guitar Awards
A former New Zealand Gold Guitar Award winner has called out racist overtones at the event, surprising organisers, who have vowed to fix the issues. The 50th anniversary of the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards held in Gore recently had the town packed with country music fans. But last year's winner Amy Maynard was left singing the blues, after what she called the worst festival experience of her life. The Māori musician said she noticed multiple incidents of being treated differently than her partner, who is white, and between her sons who have different complexions, as well as reactions to te reo Māori. "It's the eye rolls you see when people start using Māori on stage, people looking and projecting their anger and frustration just at me, not my partner. "Security would go to my middle kid, who is of a darker complexion, and not my eldest, just the discrepancy between the two," she said. Ms Maynard said she was not alone in these thoughts and said many people shared similar sentiments about their experiences in Southland. "I have had multiple people reaching out to me [various sound engineers, musicians, wonderful people], who have all in some way been affected, either micro or macro, aggressively from people down South," she said. "Being in Gore this year and out of my stage attire, I must have presented a very different picture to the general public. "As a result, they treated me as such," she said. Ms Maynard said she was warned to avoid speaking te reo Māori or face an immediate disqualification, which she disregarded when winning last year. She said although there was positive movement with more te reo spoken and sung in the event, inclusivity had not been wholeheartedly embraced. MLT Gold Guitar Awards convener Phillip Geary said the event had a zero tolerance policy for racism of any kind. "We always aim to create a safe and inclusive space at our event and we were deeply disheartened and disappointed to hear of Amy's experience," he said. Mr Geary denied there were any disqualifications for speaking te reo, as the language has always been encouraged and welcome on their stage. "Māori have always had a home in country music in New Zealand, and te reo has always featured in the Gold Guitar finals, right through the 50 years," he said. Advice would be sought from Soundcheck Aotearoa, a music industry group dedicated to safety and inclusivity, to help address potential issues, he said. Mr Geary said they were taking Ms Maynard's grievances and the issues raised very seriously. "We'll be making sure our committee members, contestants, and volunteers are aware of these claims, and will make sure it doesn't happen again in the future," he said.
Otago Daily Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Country star claims racism rife at festival
A former Gore Gold Guitar winner has called out racist overtones at the festival, surprising organisers, who have vowed to fix the issues. The 50th anniversary of the MLT Gold Guitar Awards held in Gore two weeks ago had the town packed with country music fans. But last year's winner Amy Maynard was left singing the blues, after what she called the worst festival experience of her life. The Māori musician told the Otago Daily Times she noticed multiple incidents of being treated differently than her partner, who is white, and between her sons who have different complexions, as well as reactions to te reo Māori. "It's the eye rolls you see when people start using Māori on stage, people looking and projecting their anger and frustration just at me, not my partner. "Security would go to my middle kid, who is of a darker complexion, and not my eldest, just the discrepancy between the two," she said. Ms Maynard said she was not alone in these thoughts and said many people shared similar sentiments about their experiences in Southland. "I have had multiple people reaching out to me [various sound engineers, musicians, wonderful people], who have all in some way been affected, either micro or macro, aggressively from people down south," she said. "Being in Gore this year and out of my stage attire, I must have presented a very different picture to the general public. "As a result, they treated me as such," she said. Ms Maynard said she was warned to avoid speaking te reo Māori or face an immediate disqualification, which she disregarded when winning last year. She said although there was positive movement with more te reo spoken and sung in the event, inclusivity had not been wholeheartedly embraced. MLT Gold Guitar Awards convener Phillip Geary said the event had a zero tolerance policy for racism of any kind. "We always aim to create a safe and inclusive space at our event and we were deeply disheartened and disappointed to hear of Amy's experience," he said. Mr Geary denied there were any disqualifications for speaking te reo, as the language has always been encouraged and welcome on their stage. "Māori have always had a home in country music in New Zealand, and te reo has always featured in the Gold Guitar finals, right through the 50 years," he said. Advice would be sought from Soundcheck Aotearoa, a music industry group dedicated to safety and inclusivity, to help address potential issues, he said. Mr Geary said they were taking Ms Maynard's grievances and the issues raised very seriously.
Otago Daily Times
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
New star in country music wins big
The 50th MLT Gold Guitar Awards crowned Keily Smith after a highly contested show Sunday night, with her performance in the new country category winning her the grand prize. Pictured left to right: Phillip Geary, Keily Smith, Horace McAuley, Craig Sinclair. Runner up Simon Thompson (top left) said his second place finish alongside his win for male vocal solo was a sign to himself he belonged and was making the right moves in his music career. The Mitchell Twins (bottom left) Nicola (left) and Maegan came away with a win in the duet section, with Nicola winning an award for songwriting as well. Photos: Gerrit Doppenberg The MLT Gold Guitar Awards were a major success with a sold-out crowd, hometown heroes bringing home awards, and a new star in country music crowned. Gore Town & Country Club was packed to the rafters as 1100 people watched the best country musicians from near and far competing at the MLT Gold Guitar Awards Senior Finals. The judges had their work cut out for them, with the very high quality of entrants bringing their A-game through the night. Nicola and Maegan Mitchell, otherwise known as the Mitchell Twins, did Gore proud by winning the duet section, with Nicola winning the singer-songwriter section as well. The sisters competed against father Ron Mitchell in the songwriting section, and notably their sister Jenny Mitchell won the overall award back in 2017. Lawrence musician Keily Smith, after resounding performances in the country rock and NZ song sections, won the Gold Guitar for her song in the new country category. Following her big win, Smith said she felt a mix of joy at the achievement, and the exhaustion after such a big night with a late finish. "I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. "There was such a plethora of talent here this evening, it was anyone's game. "I'm just so thrilled to have shared the experience with the other artists, and I'm ready for a nap," she laughed. Runner-up Simon Thompson of Invercargill was overcome with emotions as he accepted awards for his performances —he also won the male vocal solo award. Mr Thompson said to win these categories, for him, was the recognition his hard work had been paying off. "I was just stunned. Even now I'm completely speechless. "Everyone in this room is a winner and to be called up, to be given that, it feels like I do belong and I am good enough," he said. MLT Gold Guitar Awards convener Phillip Geary said the night was one to be remembered and the winner was a fantastic ambassador for the awards and country music. "It's just another great milestone, it's a continuation of the journey. "The quality is as high as it's ever been. [Keily Smith] represents very well, she's a very worthy winner. The Mitchell twins perform in the duet section. "If she goes on from here, takes advantage of the prize package, we'll be really proud of her," he said. Results NZ Gold guitar overall winner: Keily Smith, Lawrence. Runner-up: Simon Thompson, Invercargill. Highest scoring Gore Country Music Club member: Lana Stevens, Riversdale. Gospel: Ngarangi Sadlier, Lower Hutt. Country rock: Keily Smith, Lawrence. NZ song: Keily Smith, Lawrence. Traditional: Jeremy Hantler: Tauranga New country: Keily Smith, Lawrence. Duet: The Mitchell Twins, Gore Open instrumental: William Harvey, Nelson. Vocal group: The Dollys, Winton. Band: Aroha & The CFB, Nelson. Singer-songwriter: Nicola Mitchell, Gore. Male vocal solo: Simon Thompson, Invercargill. Female vocal solo: Ngarangi Sadlier, Lower Hutt.
Otago Daily Times
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Rapid rise to top for Gold Guitar winner
New Zealand country music has a new star — with an English accent, an assertive performance style, and whose smoky and evocative tone fills a stadium with ease. Gore Town & Country Club was packed to the rafters on Sunday night as 1100 people watched the best country musicians from near and far competing at the MLT Gold Guitar Awards senior finals. The judges had their work cut out for them, as the high-quality entrants brought their A-game to the show. The hour was late, but the audience sat in anticipation as the big moment arrived — the crowning of country music royalty. Lawrence musician Keily Smith, after resounding performances in the country rock and New Zealand song sections, won the Gold Guitar for her song in the new country category. Following her big win, Mrs Smith said she felt a mix of joy and exhaustion after such a big night with a late finish. 'I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. There was such a plethora of talent here this evening, it was anyone's game. "I'm just so thrilled to have shared the experience with the other artists, and I'm ready for a nap," she said, laughing. County Durham in England, where Mrs Smith is from originally, is not known for its country music, but the musician grew up listening to the greats her mum would play for her. Listening to Mrs Smith, you would assume she was a seasoned veteran of the art, but she began her music journey only three years ago. Her smokey and powerful voice, alongside her energetic stage presence, made her a standout among standouts. Mrs Smith said it was only the start. "I'm going to use the resources, going to make sure I'm a good advocate for country music and other musicians, and Gore Country Music Club. "It's really going to get me going with releasing a single at the end of the year, hopefully with the songs I've been writing," she said. Runner-up Simon Thompson, of Invercargill, was overcome with emotion as he accepted several awards for his performances. He also won the male vocal solo award. Mr Thompson said the wins showed his hard work had been paying off. "I was just stunned. Even now I'm completely speechless. "Everyone in this room is a winner and to be called up, to be given that, it feels like I do belong and I am good enough," he said. MLT Gold Guitar Awards convener Phillip Geary said the night was one to be remembered, and the winner was a fantastic ambassador for the awards, and country music. "It's just another great milestone; it's a continuation of the jouney. The quality is as high as it's ever been, "[Keily Smith] represents very well, she's a very worthy winner. If she goes on from here, takes advantage of the prize package, we'll be really proud of her," he said.
