TRADITIONAL

According to the NZ Gold Guitar Awards, a traditional song is not defined by when it was released but by traditional style. Traditional Country songs are acoustic and draw from music traditions including Appalachian folk, early honky-tonk or Australian bush ballad style. They are characterised by fingerpicking, bass note runs/pluck-strum style and open-chord strumming. 

Examples include:

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Hank Williams
The Garden - Sierra Ferrel 
Leave Him In The Longyard - Slim Dusty
My Dear Companion - Dolly Parton, Linda Rondstat and Emmylou Harris
Frankie and Johnny - Jimmie Rodgers

GOSPEL

A gospel song tells/gives a message about the gospel or is a song primarily about someone’s faith and/or relationship to God.

Examples include:

Why Me Lord – Johnny Cash
There Will Be Peace in the Valley – Loretta Lynn
I Still Pray – Kasey Chambers

DUET

Duets must shows an equal partnership between partners e.g. each singer contributing, interactions between partners, harmonies, eye contact.

VOCAL SOLO SECTION

No backing vocals

COUNTRY ROCK

According to the NZ Gold Guitar Awards, a Country Rock song is not defined purely by tempo, but by style, energy and performance approach. Country Rock blends elements of country music with rock influences, often featuring driving rhythm sections, electric instrumentation and a strong live-performance feel. While the genre may include acoustic elements, it is typically characterised by a more energetic delivery, prominent drums and electric guitar, and a focus on groove, attitude and audience connection.

Country Rock performances are judged on: Energy, Timing

Note: A fast song is not necessarily a Country Rock song.

Suds in the Bucket – Sara Evans
I Try To Think About Elvis – Patty Loveless
I Gotta Quit – Ella Langley
Marry For Money – Trace Adkins
The Only Mama That’ll Walk the Line – LeeAnn Rimes

NZ COMPOSITION/NZ SONG

All songs entered in this section must have been written by a New Zealand citizen, or co-written by a group with at least one New Zealand citizen (Eg: Boots N All - Kaylee Bell – cowritten by Kaylee Bell, Emily Hatton & Michael Paynter).

You can enter an original song in this section (if you are a New Zealand citizen) but it is not restricted to own composition.