Fountain makes splash at awards

Auckland-based singer Reb Fountain made it a clean sweep at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore last night.

Fountain won the 2018 Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Artist and APRA Best Country Music Song for Hopeful and Hopeless.

Her EP Hopeful and Hopeless was started in 2014 when it was recorded live at The Wine Cellar when she toured with The Eastern.

‘‘Hopeful and Hopeless is a song about people like us, or people less fortunate than us just doing the best they can, trying to get by,’’ Fountain said.

‘‘But it’s also a song that helped me find my sense of strength and hope and community when I thought that everything was lost. Of all of the songs I’ve written, this song reminds me most of the mighty mariner Sam Prebble, and even though he has passed, he is very present with me every time I play it, so to win best APRA Country Music Song for this means the world to me.’’

Recorded Music NZ chief executive Damian Vaughan said New Zealand’s country scene was moving from strength to strength each year.

‘‘Country music is a genre built on foundations of emotion, something that Reb captures with not only this amazing EP but her overall music style.

‘‘There’s a strong connection to Americana roots blended with a distinct New Zealand flair that makes her music complex and compelling.’’

APRA AMCOS head of New Zealand operations Ant Healey said: ‘‘It’s wonderful to see Reb Fountain recognised for her exceptional songwriting talents. Her striking turn of phrase and distinctive point of view make Hopeful and Hopeless feel like a classic song that we’ll be hearing for years to come.’’

Other finalists for the Recorded Music NZ Best Country Artist were Lana Doublet for Beautiful Hands and Phil Doublet for Strength, Love, Music & Light. Southlander Jenny Mitchell’s Let Me Be and Kaylee Bell and Brooke McClymont’s Next Somebody was the other finalists for the APRA Best Country Music Song.

The New Zealand Country Music Awards, in its 44th year, are hosted by the New Zealand Songwriters Trust and the festival attracts more than 5000 fans annually.

Finalists for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Album

Finalists for APRA Best Country Music Song

WINNER: Reb Fountain – Hopeful and Hopeless

Jenny Mitchell – Let Me Be Kaylee Bell and Brooke McClymont – Next Somebody

PHOTOS: KAVINDA HERATH/STUFF Singer/songwriter Jenny Mitchell at the New Zealand Country Music Awards 2018 at the SBS St James Theatre in Gore last night.

From left, Rozel Taylor, Kylie McGinnis and Robyn Robertson.

Hugh and Marilyn Fox enjoy the awards last night.

From left, Sebastian Rice-Walsh, Jono and Almarie Sohnge enjoy the festivities.

From left, Aly Cook, Nick Dheobald and Wickey Harrison at the country music awards last night.