New format for entertainment awards
The Southland Entertainment Awards are back with a brand new format as organisers bring a fresh approach to the Southland institution.
Awards convener Jo Ward said this year two new awards had been added to the ceremony.
The amount of nominations received this year was huge and showed the people of Southland valued their musicians, she said.
The Southland Musician of the Year award will replace the several awards given out for individual instruments like guitar and drums.
The new award will open it up to all musicians and not just those who play in bands.
Organisers had also created the Spirit of Southland award that came about after they received a number of entries that did not fit in any category, she said.
The organising committee decided to change the format follow- ing feedback about the anniversary show in 2017.
For the anniversary show the awards side had been scaled back to give a bit more room for the performances, which was well received, Ward said.
The guest entertainer and judge this year is Annie Crummer. The nominees for entertainer of the year award are Cheryl Anderson, Jordan Cossill, Brad Clarkson, Lachie Hayes and Simon Thompson.
For Cossill, the nomination for entertainer of the year came as a surprise.
The multi-instrumentalist and singer is no stranger to the awards having been in two bands that have been nominated before but it was his first time being nominated for the entertainer award.
In 2015, he picked up two awards with The Sparrow Thieves for band of the year and album of the year.
The awards are at the Invercargill Civic Theatre tonight, from 7.30pm.