Entertainers shine at southern awards show

Southland’s top entertainers shone at the Civic Theatre in Invercargill at the annual ILT Southland Entertainment Awards on Friday night.

Guest artists Annie Crummer and Jenny Mitchell lent some additional sparkle to the night.

The Spirit of Southland award went to The Southern Dream, which pays homage to the Southland Stags and everything Southland. The Jason Kerrison song, with the accompanying video featuring wellknown Southlanders appearing in locations across Southland made quite an impact when it was released in August.

Arun O’Connor claimed the musician of the year award, another feather in the cap of the accomplished musician who walked away with three Gold Guitar awards last year.

Vocalist of the year was Cheryl Anderson, who had also won the title in 2003 and 2013, as well as being named entertainer of the year in 2003.

Band of the year was Murgatroyd, composed of guitarist Jordan Cossill and vocalist Matt Hoffman.

Lachie Hayes took out song of the year for Shoot ‘em Once and album of the year for Where the Shadows Hang.

A special award for contributions to Southland music was presented to radio personality Carl Mills, and the people’s choice award went to ukulele four-piece Lady Friday.

Gerard McSoriley took the Invercargill Musical Theatre performers award.

There were also awards for members of the Ascot Park Hotel Brass Band, with Jack McKenzie being awarded most improved player, and Warren Crighton taking the most valued bands person award. Declan Cruickshank claimed piper of the year, and Sabin Blanks drummer of the year for the ILT City of Invercargill Highland Pipe Band.

Junior entertainer of the year was awarded to versatile musician Liam Fairbairn, guitarist for alternative rock group The Dense, and also a drummer in the Foundation NZ Youth Pipe Band that recently won its category in the Australian Pipe Band Championships in Brisbane.

The nominees for entertainer of the year were Simon Thompson and Brad Clarkson, in addition to Cossill, Hayes, and Anderson.

Thompson won the entertainer of the year title in 2015, and fronts powerhouse trio Triple Shot, which also backed Kerrison for The Southern Dream, while Clarkson is a member of the band El Scratcho, and was part of Mills’ show The Open Road last year.

The results for the entertainer of the year award were unavailable at press time.