Katie Thompson doing the West Coast Proud

Katie Thompson doing the West Coast Proud: Announced as NZ Songwriting Awards 2016 Finalist

Hokitika born singer/songwriter Katie Thompson has been named as one of 10 Finalists in the MLT Songwriting Awards 2016, for her song West Coast, a lively and moving tribute to what is a unique place in the world.

The MLT Songwriting Awards is an annual songwriting competition for unreleased original songs, which culminates in a night of outstanding musical talent showcased in front of some of the top music industry professionals. Songwriters from across New Zealand, Australia and the US enter their songs in this well established music industry event, now in its 37th year.

"It's a real honour to be acknowledged for my songwriting ability and I'm extremely happy that it's with this song,” says Katie.

“I realised that every time I played a show I’d stop and let my crowd know I was proudly from the West Coast and how close it is to my heart, so I decided to write a song and sing about it instead!”

Katie, who is now Christchurch based, laughs.

Katie Thompson has enjoyed ongoing success in her music career, having released two successful albums and a live EP, toured New Zealand extensively, represented Oceania in a global music project run by Global Rockstar in 2015, won the Top Artist prize on emerging artist platform Artist Signal in 2014, opened for Sir Elton John at his New Zealand show in November 2011 and been a finalist for Female Artist of the Year at the 2012 New Zealand Country Music Awards.

Hitting the road this May with local country legend Barry Saunders ( The Warratahs ) Katie is looking forward to performing the new song to her hometown Hokitika, as well as Moana and Greymouth at four special shows.

Also announced as finalists were Veronica Grace for Arrows and Bows , Kaylee Bell and Jarad Porter for Go , Kaylee Bell, Phil Barton and Bryan White for Last Kiss , Ron Mitchell for Prop me up , Joanne Buchanan for The River , Jenny Mitchell for Puppet , David Haslett & Marshall Smith for Out In The Cold , Lana Doublet for Crush and Chad Robinson for The Detective .

The winners will be announced after all nominees have performed at The NZ Country Music Awards on Thursday June 2 at the SBS St James Theatre in Gore, New Zealand.

ENDS

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