Kiwi country music superstar Tami Neilson was presented with both the Recorded Music NZ Te Kaipuoro Tuawhenua Toa Tui | Best Country Music Artist and APRA Best Country Song at the 2021 Country Music Awards last night.

A celebrated musician in both the local and international country music scene, Tami has been recognised for her sensational 2020 album ‘CHICKABOOM!' with the Tui for Best Country Artist.

She also received the award for APRA Best Country Song for her infectious single ‘Queenie, Queenie'.

These two awards will be joining her previous accolades, which include an APRA Silver Scroll and multiple Tui from previous Music Awards including Best Country Album in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2015.

Recorded Music NZ Kaiwhakahaere o Nga Tohu Puoro o Aotearoa Sarah Owen says Tami is a powerhouse in Aotearoa's music scene, one that has achieved great success both domestically and internationally.

'E mihi ana ki a koe Tami for your continued accomplishments as a wonderful kaiwaiata and for being one of Aotearoa's most decorated country musicians,” says Sarah.

'It's a delight to present Tami with the 2021 APRA Best Country Song award,” says APRA AMCOS Head of New Zealand Operations Ant Healey. 'As one of the greats in the genre, she continues to define the landscape of New Zealand country music.”

Other finalists for Recorded Music NZ Te Kaipuoro Tuawhenua Toa | Best Country Music Artist were Jody Direen for her album ‘Smokin' Ashes', and Ryan Fisherman for his album ‘Vibe'.

‘Sleep' by Delaney Davidson, and ‘Between Hello and Goodbye' by Kendall Elise Todd were the other finalists for the APRA Best Country Music Song.

Recorded Music NZ is a non-profit industry representation and licensing organisation for recording artists and their labels. It divides its services into three main areas. The Member Services team delivers projects including the Aotearoa Music Awards, the weekly Official NZ Top40 Charts and the Music Grants programme. Recorded Music NZ's licensing division administers broadcast and public performance licensing either directly or through its joint initiative with APRA called OneMusic. The Pro-Music team is dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of artists and labels across the New Zealand recording industry. https://www.recordedmusic.co.nz/

APRA AMCOS, representing the Australasian Performing Rights Association and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society, is a non-profit organisation that collects and distributes songwriting royalties to its 100,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members, and around 3,000,000 copyright owners worldwide.

The New Zealand Songwriters Trust was formed to promote and encourage the craft of songwriting, and to raise the profile and quality of original music for public entertainment and enjoyment. Originally it ran the MLT Songwriting Awards as a standalone event as part of the NZ Gold Guitar week, until 2011 when a new relationship was formed with RIANZ (now Recorded Music NZ) and APRA, which saw the New Zealand Country Music Awards and the MLT Songwriting Awards combined into one night of music, showcasing songwriters and recording artists.

Finalists for Recorded Music NZ Te Kaipuoro Tuawhenua Toa | Best Country Music Artist

• WINNER: Tami Neilson – ‘CHICKABOOM!'
• Jody Direen – ‘Smokin' Ashes'
• Ryan Fisherman – ‘Vibe'

Finalists for APRA Best Country Music Song

• WINNER: Tami Neilson – ‘Queenie, Queenie'
• Delaney Davidson – ‘Sleep'
• Kendall Elise Todd – ‘Between Hello and Goodbye'