Auckland teenager wins top gold guitar title

Cameron Clayton, of Auckland, captured the heart of a capacity audience and the votes of the judges to win the senior title at the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards in Gore last night.

The 18-year-old singer was awarded the coveted title at the Gore Town and Country Club stadium, after 28 senior finalists from nine sections swept people on a ride from traditional country to country rock.

One who knew only too well what finalists went through was 2003 Gold Guitar winner Jane Clarkson of Dunedin.

"It's great being here as a guest artist. I can sleep," she said.

Her Gold Guitar success had given her the confidence and the "kick up the butt" to follow her dream to sing full time.

She believed people needed to get behind country music and forget the hype surrounding more contemporary music such as hiphop.

Gold Guitar convener Philip Geary said an arson attack on the Gore Country Music Club rooms last month had generated a lot of positive national publicity for the awards.

With his seventh successful Gold Guitar Awards behind him, Mr Geary was already looking to next year.

The possibility of moving the awards to February or March was the subject of a contestants' survey this year.

Results:

Gold Guitar overall winner: Cameron Clayton, Auckland.

Runner-up: Kayla Mahon, Gore

Group: North and South (Cameron Clayton and Krista and Tamara Thomson), Christchurch.

Instrumental: Aaron Jury, Balclutha.

Yodelling: Vickie Dick, Kaitangata.

Traditional: Sarah Moore, Oamaru

Country gospel: Cameron Clayton.

Duet: Northern Brew (Cameron Clayton and Lyndon Keenan), Auckland.

Country rock: Cheryl Anderson, Invercargill.

Male vocal: Cameron Clayton.

Female vocal: Kayla Mahon.

Highest scoring Gore Country Music Club member: Kayla Mahon.

Highest scoring New Zealand composition over all sections: Peter Kirwan, Ashburton.

Forty-plus section: Jan and Dave, of Oamaru; gospel, Connie Raffills, Roxburgh; duet, Jan and Dave; male vocal, Dave Harraway, Kurow; female vocal, Bev Townley, Invercargill.

- NZPA