NZ singer takes out Trans-Tasman award

News release kylie – 1
June 1, 2007

NZ singer takes out Trans-Tasman award

Kiwi country singer Kylie Austin has taken out a major trans-Tasman singing contest.

The Auckland-based soloist has won the 13th Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year Award announced at Norfolk Island on Thursday night (May 31, 2007). Ms Austin also captured the award for Most Promising Artist from PVG Productions in Auckland.

She receives a cash prize of A$4,000 and the Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year Award trophy as well as A$5,000 worth of recording time at the Peter Van Gent studio.

Ms Austin was competing in the awards against five others – three Australian and two New Zealand artists – as part of the Norfolk island Country Music Festival.

It’s not the first time a New Zealand singer has taken out the major award. The Trans-Tasman trophy has previously been won by Paul Sharplin of Christchurch and American James Ray, a New Zealand resident.

Runner-up in the Entertainer of the Year awards was Australia’s Penelope Sommerville representing Mildura Country Music Association.

There was a big Kiwi contingent at this year’s annual Norfolk Island Country Music Festival from 27 May to 3 June

Headlining the festival was New Zealand comedy music duo The Topp Twins with The Cattlestops and Eddie Low (MNZM) , backing band Galleyslaves and BV’s Echo in Harmony plus two leading Aussie country guest artists Amber Lawrence and Paul Costa backed by “Five Play”.

Kylie Austin is a long-standing member of the Eastern Districts Country Music Club in Auckland and is a 2005 graduate of the College of Country Music.

She has enjoyed great success both in New Zealand and Australia winning the 2004 Toyota Gympie Muster Talent Search Winner and the 2006 Gold Guitar Awards in Gore as part of the North team versus the South.

She was 2006 New Zealand Country Music Entertainer of the Year Overall Runner Up.

About Norfolk Island: Discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, Norfolk Island was first settled as a British penal colony in 1788 through to 1856. On June 8, 1856, the island was re-inhabited by a community from Pitcairn Island, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Known today as Norfolk Islanders, they form a majority of the 1,800 resident population. Norfolk Island is renowned for its spectacular coastal scenery, colourful history, sporting and cultural activities, convict heritage and tax-free shopping.

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