Tami Neilson took home both the Best Country Music Artist and Best Country Music Song at the 2021 Country Music Awards, presented on June 3 in Gore. 

Neilson was recognised for her 2020 album ‘Chickaboom!‘ with the Tūī for Recorded Music NZ Te Kaipuoro Tuawhenua Toa | Best Country Music Artist. Alongside that accolade her song Queenie, Queenie won the APRA Best Country Song award. 

Neilson had previously won an APRA Silver Scroll and multiple Tūī from previous music awards, including four Best Country Album awards. 

Other finalists for the Best Artist award were Jody Direen with her album ‘Smokin’ Ashes’, and Ryan Fisherman for his album ‘Vibe’. 

Sleep by Delaney Davidson, and Between Hello and Goodbye by Kendall Elise Todd were the other 2021 finalists for Best Country Song.