Country star Patsy Riggir recalls first New Zealand Gold Guitar Award
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Loading... - Vinha Harju
- 01 Jun 2022
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Country Star Patsy Riggir nearly didn’t make it on the stage at the first New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards in Gore in 1974.
She flew down with her Dad from Putaruru​, in the Waikato, to take part in the fledgling competition.
“It was my first time on a plane. I had extreme nerves – it was a rough, rough day, and our flights were all delayed.’’
After driving from Invercargill to Gore a flustered Riggir arrived at the James Cumming Wing – five minutes after entries for the competition had closed at 4pm.
“There was a big discussion and a hurried meeting, and they let me perform, but only because I’d come so far.’’
Thirty-seven other contestants had performed in the hall that day and the backing band, Les Thomas and the Countrymen, had already packed up.
A smaller, three-piece band, agreed to back her.
“I sang Paper Roses [by Marie Osmond] and Connie Smith’s Once a Day. They did all the judging in the preliminaries back then, and then there was an evening showcase.
“And then holy smoke – I won it.’’
Riggir went on to become a household name, releasing her first album in 1980, the same year she was named New Zealand Entertainer of the Year, and performing on television shows like That’s Country.
“It was wonderful exposure and that is very hard to get these days. The industry is absolutely more different now. It’s even more difficult to break through, and then it is a real slog.
“I wouldn’t say we had it easy, but when you have the national broadcaster recording and beaming a country music show into people’s living rooms every week it certainly makes a difference.’
Best known for her hit song Beautiful Lady Riggir was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for community service in 1994 and says country music has changed a lot since her time in the spotlight.
“Of course it has to progress. A lot of the material coming out of the States now is great, but some of it is a damn mess.
“My favourites now would be Don Williams, Randy Travis, Tim McGraw...I don’t listen to a lot of modern country. Alan Jackson is still a favourite too.
Riggir has long retired from singing and making albums. She still lives in Putaruru and enjoys spending time in her garden.
She still keeps a quiet eye on the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards from a distance each year, and was surprised to hear that there were more than 750 entries this year, and it would be part of a nine-day country music festival, Tussock Country.
“That sounds amazing. Country music is a great way to make friends and that’s what I miss the most – the companionship. Touring all the time with people that have a common love, it’s that I really miss.’’
And she has some advice for those taking to the stage next weekend.
“Don’t be clever. Be sincere. Let it come from the heart.’’
MLT New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards convener Phil Geary has been involved with the event since the early 1980s and says the competition keeps growing, and the standard of the competition remains very high.
“Over the last 10 years the entries in the intermediate section, for 13 to 17-year-olds, has been creeping up and this year there’s 260 in that section, which is 17 more than in 2019.
“It seems to be the country rock, the more upbeat end of things, that the kids are picking up on,’’ Geary said.
“There are three or four singing schools that are contributing to that, there’s two in Dunedin and Kayla Martin, who won the awards a few years back, is teaching down here.’’
Riggir was the first of numerous acts who have won the Gold Guitars and gone on to have successful singing careers. Noel Parlane, Bob Mason and the Apache and Kaylee Bell are just a few that have gained recognition nationally and internationally.
Now, as well as having their name engraved on the infamous Gold Guitar, the overall senior winner walks away with a prize package including a fully produced video clip, a fully produced single at a recording studio in Australia, a publicity package, and a guest spot at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The prizes are geared towards getting the winner heard, whether that be on-air, or on-line.
Another event that adds prestige to the festival is that the NZ Country Music Awards, which are held in Gore’s SBS St James Theatre.
The awards announce the winners of the MLT Songwriting Award for best unrecorded song, the APRA Best Country Song award and the Award for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Artist.
This year the awards have sold out early, showing a huge interest in people taking part in the country music events.
West coaster Jaydin Singleton won the New Zealand Gold Guitar Award senior final in 2019, after competing eight times previously, and said it jump-started his career.
“I’m absolutely stoked with what has come from it, it’s definitely a career-starter. I’ve been to Australia and recorded a song, it’s helped out ten-fold.’’
“It’s not just what it's done for me as a performer – I’ve made great friends through the Gold Guitars, and it's so good to be able to spend a weekend with like-minded people who all love doing the same thing.’’
The competition began when a group called Country Style Promotions presented the Gold Guitar Trophy to the Gore Country Music Club to be competed for at an annual Gold Guitar Awards, which was held in the James Cumming Wing, over one day.
It grew to a three-day event and the competition grew in stature, other events began to be added – a Miss Gold Guitar Contest, the Gore Truck Show, the MLT Country Songwriting Contest and the New Zealand Country Music Awards have all been introduced.
This year they’re all being marketed as part of the Tussock Country Festival, with more than 30 events – from whisky tasting to ukelele classes and even a line-dancing social.
The first event in the festival is a ute muster that is on Saturday.
Tussock Festival spokesperson Annabel Roy said sales had been strong for all events, and the Top Paddock Concert, the New Zealand Country Music Awards and Tea at Three with Jenny Mitchell had all sold out.
“It’s a natural progression from the success of the New Zealand Gold Guitars, which is an amazing event, and because of that other offshoot events started up. This is the first time they’ve come together under one identity as one festival and the feedback from people in Gore, and people coming to Gore, has been phenomenal.’’
And this year there’s another new first as a company called Operatunity, which offers tours with a musical theme for seniors, brings 95 people to the awards, Geary said. Read More…
