Hamilton welcomes National country music talent
The city of Hamilton welcomed a line up of impressive international and national country music talent on Saturday night.
Although the weather was poor, crowds flocked under the cover of umbrellas to fill up Founders Theatre as the Kiwi Pro-Am 2012 National Country Music Awards (NCMA) began.
Country music artists Aly Cook, Trevor V Stevens (who seemed to be a crowd favourite), The Heartleys, Jody Direen and Kiwi legend Peter Posa took home the awards on the night.
Nelson musician, Aly Cook received the award for Best Female Country Artist, with Auckland’s Trevor V Stevens won Best Male.
The 2012 Best Group Award was taken out by a Southland duo called The Heartleys made up of Taylor Cairns and Kayla Martin.
Jody Direen from Wanaka was awarded the Horizon Award winner title for 2012.
The Horizon winner was presented with a Fender guitar and will head to Australia to guest in one of the heats of the Telstra Road to Discovery competition in 2013.
Direen will also guest at the Global Artist Awards in Nashville USA, which is sponsored by the Kiwi Pro-Am Country Music Organisation.
Organisers Kiwi Pro-Am Country Music Organisation president Bernie Eva said that feedback had been great on the quality of the show and it has been hailed as “the best one yet”.
The 2011 Legend Award winner, Dennis Marsh gave a moving tribute to fellow musician Peter Posa who received this year’s Legend Award.
Guest performers at the 2012 Awards included Tom Sharplin, Shane Hales (MC), Australian Telstra Award winner Andrew Redford as well as 2011 Horizon Award winner Vickie Evans, Jenny Blackadder and Joy Adams.
