Tussock Country is a 10-day festival that boasts an array of activities, including the NZ Gold Guitar Awards. Photo: Supplied
Buried away at the bottom of the South Island is Gore - an unassuming town with plenty of rural charm and a population of just over 8000 people. It's also the country music capital of Aotearoa, and home to our annual country music festival, Tussock Country.
The 10-day festival boasts an impressive array of activities, from whiskey-tasting to line-dancing, and invites punters from around the motu to embrace Gore's warm southern hospitality. Among all the festivities, no event is more important than the coveted NZ Gold Guitar Awards.
For almost half a century, hundreds of country music fans have travelled down to Gore to listen to world-renowned country music and contend for the prestigious Gold Guitar trophy.
This year, the awards are being held over King's Birthday weekend across three venues - Gore Town & Country Club, Gore RSA, and Gore Baptist Church.
The NZ Gold Guitar Awards have cemented Gore's strong connection to country and western music. Photo: Supplied
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the event.
What are Gold Guitars?
The NZ Gold Guitar Awards are one of New Zealand's most prestigious country music events. From humble beginnings in 1974, the competition now sees contestants from around the world flocking to Gore to celebrate country music and compete for a chance at the top prize.
Over the last three years, Gold Guitars has expanded into the Tussock Country Festival and cemented Gore's strong connection to country and western music.
How does the competition work?
Auditions are held across three days, where contestants can compete in either the Junior, Intermediate, Senior, or Classic sections - depending on their age. They can also choose from a variety of sections, including Male and Female Solo, Gospel, Traditional, New Country, Country Rock, Duet, Vocal Group, NZ Song and Instrumental.
After the auditions period, finalists are selected and a final night showcase presents the best in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior categories, while a separate country music showcase is held as part of the Classic Final. An awards ceremony presents the winners of each category with the coveted Gold Guitar trophy.
What's up for grabs?
Contestants are competing for a comprehensive prize package that's sure to set them on the road to country music stardom.
This includes, but is not limited to, an acoustic guitar, a fully produced single and video clip, a photoshoot, a publicity package, and return airfare to Australia's Tamworth Country Music Festival. Winners are also awarded a one-year honourary membership to the Gore Country Music Club.
Who will be there?
Gore is home to many notable residents, including radio host Mike Puru, rugby player Stu Wilson, and former New Zealand prime minister Jenny Shipley. It's not known whether they'll make an appearance at the Gold Guitars, but plenty of country music greats will.
Past attendees have included Kenny Rogers, Slim Dusty, Patsy Rigger, Garner Wayne, Ricky Skaggs, Jade Hurley, and Aotearoa's own queen of country, Suzanne Prentice.
Who has won in the past?
Nelson's Zac Griffiths took out the senior final at the Gold Guitars in 2023. Photo: Supplied
In 2023, Nelson's Zac Griffiths took out the senior final at the Gold Guitars with a love song. The 18-year-old wrote My River Runs to You about a breakup but admits he has never been in love. Griffiths also scooped the gospel, male vocal solo, new country, New Zealand song and country rock sections.
Kaylee Bell took out the same award back in 2007. Since then, she has become the most-streamed female country artist in Australasia. Last year, she joined Ed Sheeran's stadium world tour and won a global country artist award at the CMA Awards in Nashville.
Patsy Riggir was awarded the inaugural Gold Guitar trophy in 1974, after performing versions of Marie Osmond's 'Paper Roses' and the country standard 'Once a Day'.
Why is it so popular?
Country music in New Zealand was a primetime staple in the 1980s. Every Saturday night at 7pm, people would sit down in front of their television sets and put on That's Country - a musical showcase of local and international talent and hosted by one-time mod Ray Columbus. In its four-year reign, it became one of the highest rating shows of its decade and featured episodes with the likes of Suzanne Prentice, Emmylou Harris, George Hamilton IV, and the Topp Twins.
Over the years, the contributions of artists like Dolly Parton, Linda Martell and Willie Nelson have brought in new fans to country music. In 2024, the release of [Beyonce's Cowboy Carter has propelled the genre into the mainstream.