The 2021 MLT New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards will be held from Friday 4 June – Sunday June 6th 2021 following a week of country music celebrations, including the NZ Country Music Awards, MLT Songwriting Awards, various concerts & busking competitions, all of which are now under the umbrella of Tussock Country-New Zealand’s Country Music Festival
Every year for the last 46 years Gore has hosted the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards. This event attracts artists from around the world and continues to grow in stature and popularity.
Audience levels reach over 5,000 and the entries in all sections and events total 700 competitors. Visitors to Gore leave with fond memories of the ‘Southern Hospitality’ and along with the locals, just soak up the Country Music atmosphere.
The festival begins with a walk up concert at the Gore Country Music Club Rooms Longford Function Center then continues with the Songwriting and the NZ Country Music Awards for the RIANZ Best Country Album and APRA Best Country Song finals.
The MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards are held annually on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Queen’s Birthday Weekend. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday auditions are held in three venues starting at approximately 8.15am. At the auditions judges choose finalists in the various sections. The Junior and Intermediate finals are held on Saturday night and the senior final night is Sunday night. The 40 Plus and 60 Plus finals are held in the stadium on Sunday with the Professional Artists Showcase concert on mid Sunday afternoon. Contestants may enter as an individual, in a duet and/or as part of a group.
Contestants compete in either the junior, intermediate, senior or 40 Plus and 60 Plus sections, depending on their age. There are a variety of sections, including male and female solo, gospel, traditional, new country, country rock, duet, vocal group, NZ Song and instrumental. High quality bands provide backing for contestants.
An event guide for 2021 will be out in Dec 2020
Below is an outline of the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards Events
Programme
Gore Country Music Queen Gala Crowning
Where: Jessie’s Room, Gore Country Music Club Rooms
When:
Cost: $20pp
Tickets on sale:
Entries open:
Entries close:
More information: www.facebook.com/gorecountrymusicqueen/
The crowning of a Gore country music queen is an enduring tradition that stretches back 40 years.
That makes 2021’s event an extra special celebration.
This will be a fabulous night of celebration. As well as the festivities that go with crowning a new country music queen winner and runner-up, there’s fantastic country music to be enjoyed and a guest speaker.
Tamworth’s country music queen is a special guest at the event. Together with Gore’s newly crowned country music queen she judges the Freeze Ya Bits off Busking event and the pair attend many NZ Country Music Festival events.
The Gore country music queen in turn attends Tamworth’s Country Music Festival.
Come and join us for a night of fun and celebration.
Golden Oldies
Where: Jessie’s Room – Longford Function Centre, East Gore
When: Monday 31 May 2021, 1.30pm
Cost: Gold Coin Entry – Door sales only
This is a wonderful concert of local artists. Every year it’s packed out by our seniors community. Come early to get a seat and look forward to a nice afternoon tea after the concert. Take part in a raffle or two. This relaxing, homely concert is great entertainment.
Open Mic Afternoon
Where: Jessie’s Room – Longford Function Centre, East Gore
When: Tuesday 1 June 2021, 1.30pm
Cost: Gold Coin Entry – Door sales only
Want to warm up your vocal chords? Join in our Open Mic session. It’s simple – put your name on our black board and perform. The Open Mic session is a great afternoon of talent to enjoy. So, come along and strut your stuff. A cash bar is available, and you can dabble in a raffle or two. In true Southland style, everyone is welcome.
Walk-Up Concert
Where: Jessie’s Room, Longford Function Centre, East Gore
When: Tuesday 1 June 2021, 7pm
Cost:
Members $5
Non-members $10
Children free – 17 years and under
Door sales only. Includes supper
Join in the fun! Put your name on the blackboard and wait your turn to perform your favourite song or instrument, or come along for a listen. It’s as simple as that at this informal walk-up concert. A full band is available, ready to back anyone who wants to take part in this lively, engaging evening. Please bring 4 copies of chord charts if you are performing with the band.
This event includes a tree-planting ceremony acknowledging Gore’s sister city relations with Tamworth in Australia.
Young ‘uns Walk-up Concert
Where: Jessie’s Room, Longford Function Centre, East Gore
When: Thursday 3 June 2021, 7pm
Cost: Gore Country Music Club Members – Free
Non-members – $5
Door sales only.It’s the opportunity for our young country music talent to shine. This is a walk-up concert, so come along, put your name on the blackboard and perform. Bring your five chord charts if you intend to use the band. Refreshments served at half time. Locals and country music visitors all welcome. To qualify as a young’un to perform, you either need to be a junior which is up to age 12 or an intermediate – age 13 to 17.
MLT NZ Gold Guitar Award Auditions
Where: Gore Town & Country Club, RSA, Gore Baptist Church
When: Friday 4 June 2021 – 8am – 5pm
Door Sales :
• Auditions, Friday 4 June 2021, Adults $ and Senior $
• Three Day Audition Pass $ Adults and $ Seniors
Children under the age of 17 are free for auditions.
Tickets on sale:
Come along to one of our three venues and watch many of our auditions. Whether you are supporting family, friends or just wanting to be entertained, there is certainly something for everyone. See if you can pick the finalists like our judges do. So much talent on show.
MLT Music Round-Up
Where: Heartland Hotel Croydon/Traffers Bar/Longford Tavern
When: Friday 4 June 2021-7pm onwards
Cost: Free entry
Mataura Licensing Trust bars and restaurants open their doors to lovers of country music on Friday 4 June 2021. Pick your favourite band or venue and settle in for the night. Or venue hop and catch them all.
You choose! There is no cover charge for these events.
Heartland Hotel Croydon, Gore
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Taffers Bar
Time: 8pm – 11pm
Jessies Function Room – Longford Tavern, East Gore
Time: 7.30 pm
TBC- There are further events on around the town, these will be confirmed soon
MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards Auditions
Where: Gore Town & Country Club, RSA, Gore Baptist Church
When: Saturday 5 June 2021 – 8am –
Door Sales :
• Auditions, Saturday 5 June 2021, Adults $ and Senior $
• Three Day Audition Pass $ Adults and $ Seniors
Children under the age of 17 are free for auditions.
Tickets on sale:
Come along to one of our three venues and watch many of our auditions. Whether you are supporting family, friends or just wanting to be entertained, there is certainly something for everyone. See if you can pick the finalists like our judges do. So much talent on show.
MLT NZ Gold Guitar Junior Finals
Where: Gore Town & Country Club,
When: Saturday 5 June 2021 – 6.30pm
iTICKET Events:
Tickets on sale:
Come and watch the budding talent of NZ country music on display. This is their time to shine in the Grand Junior and Intermediate finals. The ability and skill of these young participants will blow you away.
MLT Showcase & Hands of Fame
Where: Gore Town & Country Stadium, Bury Street, Gore
When: Sunday 6 June 2021, 3pm- 5pm
Cost:
- 40+ and 60+ finals
- MLT Showcase
- Hands of Fame.
MLT ROUND UP
This event is a variety concert featuring a range of artists that have traveled to Gore to participate in the festival.
The MLT NZ Gold Guitar Award senior sections auditions ticket covers entry to this event.
HANDS OF FAME
As a tribute to honour people who’ve made a significant contribution to New Zealand country music, a Hands of Fame was established by the Gore Country Music Club in 1992.
Over the years wonderful artists have been honoured with a handprint cast in concrete at the Hands of Fame including Kenny Rogers, Slim Dusty, Patsy Rigger, Garner Wayne, Suzanne Prentice, Ricky Skaggs and Jade Hurley.
MLT Gold Guitars Awards FINALS
Where: Gore Town & Country Stadium, Bury Street, Gore
When: Sunday June 6 2021, 7pm
iTICKET Events
Tickets on sale:
The culmination of our weekend. The senior finals, this is where we get to see the biggest and brightest New Zealand has to offer, strut their stuff. An incredible show piece full of country talent.