JamesRAy's Current Press Release

The Variety Artists of New Zealand awards JamesRAy with the coveted Top Male Artist Award for 2011
New Zealand’s definitive Entertainment Industry Awards chooses American born performer

(HIBISCUS COAST) – 8 November 2011 – The VAC Awards has named Hibiscus Coast resident, JamesRAy, the 2011 Top Male Artist.

The VAC Awards is a virtual history of NZ entertainment with some of the greatest performers in the proud history of New Zealand entertainment being honoured by them. Recognised as New Zealand’s definitive Entertainment Industry Awards, each of the VAC’s annual gongs are keenly sought-after and highly coveted.

When American born singer/songwriter/entertainer, JamesRAy; was announced by Ray Woolf, kiwi showbiz icon and entertainer, as the VAC 2011 Top Male Artist “It was like being recognised by New Zealand entertainment royalty”, says JamesRAy. “I was truly humbled by the history and honour just given that I was overwhelmed with gratitude.” Guests of the night included: Gray Bartlett, Tom Sharplin, David Hartnell, Larry Morris, Eddie Low Shane and several other kiwi legends along with around 250 other professional entertainers, industry persons and supporters.

JamesRAy has lived on the Hibiscus Coast of New Zealand for eleven years now. After moving here in 2000, JR thought his dreams of being a professional performer were left behind in the US. “When I moved to New Zealand and people asked me what I did I told them I was a singer/songwriter/performer. When they asked what kind of music I performed and I’d proudly tell them I’m a Country performer I’d get worried looks and comments like ‘good luck with that’ or ‘you’ll only get to perform in country clubs’. I thought to myself what have I done moving to a country that snarls at the music I have always known and performed? I didn’t move here for a music career so I thought as soon as my personal circumstances allow I’m back to the US. But as fate would have it I met and married a beautiful kiwi, became a dad and have happily made New Zealand my home” he explains.

When asked how he came to continue chasing his dream, JamesRAy says, “I took the advice of the person who said I’d have to perform in a ‘country club’ and since being from the southern part of the states went to the nearest golf course country club to inquire about a gig! To my surprise I found out there were actually ‘country music clubs’! The good folks there were so supportive and kind to me just like good country folks are back home. But, I soon found out that New Zealander’s all over the north and south island did in fact like good country music, old and new. Granted not much of the new country gets much airplay here but by way of the internet and word of mouth it’s growing.” JamesRAy continues, “It’s funny how sometimes young people will come up to me and say that’s really awesome music without even thinking it’s ‘country’. Some of the older folks still like to think it’s ‘Country & Western’ but today’s country music has very little or no ‘Western” in it and really hasn’t since the 70’s.”

Country music is still the worlds most listened to genre and sells the most live concert tickets of any music in the world today according to international sales reports and statistics. In New Zealand there are around 250 country music clubs with membership of 100-200 people still supporting the older style country. “New Zealand’s newer country fans are so starved for contemporary country music shows, venues and product that I’m guessing that is why the weekly Acoustic Country Sunday show I host is nearing seven years of growth and success”, states JamesRAy.

You can find out more about JamesRAy at: www.jamesray.co.nz or the VAC at www.vac.org.nz

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The Oscars of Country Music awards JamesRAy with Country Music Male Artist of the Year

The most prestigious event on the country music calendar: the National Country Music Awards

(HIBISCUS COAST) - 15 August 2011 - The National Country Music Awards has named Hibiscus Coast resident, JamesRAy, the 2011 Male Artist of the Year.

The award show, staged annually since 2006 by the Kiwi Pro-Am Country Music Organisation, is a night where promoters and international agents come to discover the cream of the crop of New Zealand's country music artists.

The event has become the most prestigious night on the country music calendar and was held at Founders Theatre Saturday night the 13th of August in Hamilton. The show was a star filled evening featuring New Zealand's own country music legends & icons Gray Bartlett, Jodi Vaughan, Brendon Dugan, Eddie Low, Tony Williams, Shane and Denis Marsh who is currently New Zealand's highest selling (of all genres) artist for 2011. One of several of the up and coming New Zealand artist performing on the night included NZ Idol runner-up Nik Carlson. The New Zealand National country Music Awards has become so popular that it is even attracting some of the hottest new artists out of Australia which this year included Jasmine Rae whose ARIA nominated debut album Look It Up has yielded two #1 singles in Australia.

Country Music Association international director Rob Potts - whose company has recently toured country mega-stars Keith Urban, Taylor Swift and Brooks & Dunn in Australia - is thrilled with the quality of artists being produced in New Zealand. "This event is one of the most important events in country music in New Zealand."

Leading up to the NCMA awards last week TVNZ's Close Up show ran a feature called: Battle of the Cowboy Crooners, which pitted Dennis Marsh with his double platinum New Zealand selling album Maori Songbook against JamesRAy's more modern style country music and high energy performances. The show suggested that New Zealand audiences didn't like or want the contemporary country music that artist like JamesRAy represent.

With that kind of national media coverage suggesting that contemporary country artist would have to go off shore for any sort of acceptance in New Zealand and with the fact that Denis' album sold almost twice as many copies as any other genre in New Zealand including; rock, pop or hip hop, JamesRAy said he was certain that he didn't have a chance of winning such a prestigious New Zealand country music award and simply went along to support the Kiwi Pro-Am and enjoy a great show of talented performers. "When I heard my name announced as the winner of the Male Artist of the Year I was absolutely shocked."

JamesRAy says to the best of his understanding, "The award is based upon online votes. So, if it is a popularity contest as such, that would suggest that New Zealand does like the modern country music as well as the older country music they've purchased." JamesRAy goes on to say, "I personally didn't like the suggestion that it was going to be a competition between 'older country' verses 'newer country'. That's not what it's about at all. Fact of the matter is, if it weren't for 'older country' there'd be no 'new country' music at all in New Zealand or anywhere for that matter." "All too often good folks get stuck on the label assigned to music and base their opinion and attitude of like or dislike without even trying or listening to it. My little girl does that with food. If it's called 'healthy' or 'good for you' it must not be any good! " laughs JamesRAy.

Country music is still the world's most listened to genre and sells the most live concert tickets of any music in the world today according to international sales reports and statistics. In New Zealand there are around 250 country music clubs with membership of 100-200 people still supporting the older style country. "New Zealand's newer country fans are so starved for contemporary country music shows, venues and product that I'm guessing that is why the weekly Acoustic Country Sunday show I host is nearing seven years of growth and success", states JamesRAy.

Interviews are welcomed if a more involved story should be of interest.

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