Stop what you're doing and listen to this right now.

Okay I know that I talk about music all the time and you're probably all sick of it by now but oh my god you NEED to listen to this song!

'Bones' by Ginny Blackmore:

Ginny is a super talented Kiwi who is doing pretty well in the US. She's signed to LA Reid's (you know that guy from US X Factor) record label and she made her TV debut on Live with Kelly and Michael last week. Not to mention she's written for Adam Lambert and Christina Aguilera.

I cannot stop listening to this song and I can't wait to see what she does next!

The Untouchable Girls

I was one of the crowd at Ascension Vineyard on Sunday night to watch the last stop of the New Zealand tour by the Topp Twins and guests. We had an awesome night sitting on the side of the hill amongst the vines laughing and singing. There may have even been some dancing later in the night. The picnic was great too (no thanks to me - luckily I went with some friends who can cook).

So now I am boring everyone to tears by playing the Topp Twins and other country music. Actually everyone in the workroom enjoys the Topp Twins. Which is quite good because although I bought Grass Highway at the concert, there are several other discs winging their way to me via the Auckland Libraries and our fantastic courier system. I do have a yearning for some Country music (not all of it) and it's great for a girls car trip when you can sing at the top of your voice and there is noone to hear you.

One of their songs is New Zealand Icon. While it is dedicated to their mum and all the rural women of New Zealand, it could just as easily be used to describe themselves. Or some of their other guests. Such as the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band or fiddler (and entertainer) extraordinaire Marion Burns. They were joined by rising talent Tami Neilson and Cameron Luxton (who may or may not be the son of Ken). They played a lot of my favourites including songs like The Devil went down to Georgia and a surprising take on the Tina Turner classic Proud Mary.

But it was Jools and Lynda Topp who were the stars of the Show. By the time they had sung a couple of their classics, a couple of their latest songs and we had brought them back on stage for an encore Untouchable Girls was a fitting end.

Click on the links throughout this blog and it will take you to some of our homegrown talent, plus the best international country music. You can also get your fix of the Topp Twins in print, DVD, video (from their original TV show) and of course music CD.

Celebrate Kiwi Music with 2010 Winners

Congratulations to all the winners at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards last week. We have a fantastic selection of Kiwi Music in Rodney Libraries and you can listen to some of the winners by taking them out.

Vodafone Album of The Year Winner: Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke

Other finalists: Anika Moa - Love in Motion, Dane Rumble - The Experiment, Shapeshifter - The System Is A Vampire, The Phoenix Foundation - Buffalo

Vodafone Single of The Year Winner: Kids Of 88 - Just A Little Bit

Other finalists: Dane Rumble - Cruel, Gin Wigmore - Oh My, J.Williams - You Got Me, The Phoenix Foundation - Buffalo

Best Group Winner: The Phoenix Foundation - Buffalo

Other finalists: Shapeshifter - The System Is A Vampire, The Checks - Alice By The Moon

Best Male Solo Artist Winner: Dane Rumble - The Experiment

Other finalists: Connan Mockasin - Please Turn Me Into The Snat, J.Williams - Young Love

Best Female Solo Artist Winner: Anika Moa - Love in Motion

Other finalists: Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke, Hollie Smith - Humour And The Misfortune Of Others

Breakthrough Artist of The Year Winner: Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke

Other finalists: Artisan Guns - Autumn, Dane Rumble - The Experiment

Best Rock Album Winner: The Checks - Alice By The Moon

Other finalists: Dimmer - Degrees of Existence, The Phoenix Foundation - Buffalo

Best Pop Album Winner: Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke

Other finalists: Anika Moa - Love in Motion, Dane Rumble - The Experiment

Best Urban / Hip Hop Album Winner: David Dallas - Something Awesome

Other finalists: J.Williams - Young Love, Young Sid - What Doesn't Kill Me

Best Aotearoa Roots Album Winner: Opensouls - Standing In The Rain

Other finalists: Fly My Pretties - A Story, Hollie Smith - Humour And The Misfortune Of Others

Best Music Video Winner: Tim Van Dammen - Just A Little Bit (Kids Of 88)

Other finalists: Nathan Hickey - Buffalo (The Phoenix Foundation), Sam Peacocke - Sleepeater (Shihad)

Best Electronica Album Winner: Bulletproof - Soundtrack To Forever

Other finalists: P-Money - Everything, Shapeshifter - The System Is A Vampire

Best Gospel/Christian Album Winner: Edwin Derricutt - Three Hours South

Other finalists: John Michaelz - Walk on Water, Magnify - Wonderland

Best Classical Album Winner: Simon O'Neill - Father & Son: Wagner Scenes & Arias

Other finalists: John Psathas - UKIYO NZTrio - FLOURISHES, Strike Percussion - Sketches

Vodafone Peoples' Choice Winner: Stan Walker

Highest Selling NZ Single Stan Walker - Black Box
Highest Selling NZ Album Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke
NZ on Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year Stan Walker - Black Box
International Achievement Award Stan Walker

The recipient of the Legacy Award is Shihad. Shihad is also inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Winners of Technical Awards

Best Album Cover to Paul Johnson for Buffalo (The Phoenix Foundation).

Best Engineer to Lee Prebble for Buffalo (The Phoenix Foundation).

Best Producer to The Phoenix Foundation for Buffalo.

Josef Trethowen - on tonight at Whangaparaoa Library

Remember - Josef Trethowen is performing at the Whangaparaoa Library tonight at 6.30pm. He'll be playing a couple of songs off his EP, "Inside the Wendy House" then will stay around for a short jam session post-performance. Bring in your instruments and join in.

Celebrating Music Month at Whangaparaoa Library

A quick reminder that Josef Trethowen will be performing at the Whangaparaoa Library on Thursday 20 May at 6.30pm. He'll be playing a couple of songs off his EP, "Inside the Wendy House" then will stay around for a short jam session post-performance. Bring in your instruments and join in.

Celebrating Kiwi Music

It may be New Zealand Book Month, but it was New Zealand Music that was being celebrated last night at the annual awards ceremony.

Here are the full list of winners. And those that are highlighted are songs, albums or musicians that you can check out at Rodney Libraries.

New Zealand Music Awards 2010 full winners list:
Best Album of the Year: Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
Single of the Year: Ladyhawke - My Delirium
Best Group: Midnight Youth
People's Choice Award: Smashproof
Best Male Solo Artist: Savage
Best Female Solo Artist: Ladyhawke
Breakthrough Artist of the Year: Ladyhawke
Best Music Video: Chris Graham - Brother (Smashproof)
Best Rock Album: Midnight Youth - The Brave Don't Run
Best Urban/Hip-hop Album: Ladi 6 - Time Is Not Much
Best Aotearoa Roots Album: Fat Freddy's Drop - Dr Boondigga and the Big BW
Best Dance/Electronica Album: Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
Best Gospel/Christian Album: Mumsdollar - Ruins
Best Classical Album: David Bremner - Gung Ho
Highest Selling NZ Single: Smashproof - Brother
Highest Selling NZ Album: The Feelers - The Best: 1998-2008
Radio Airplay Record of the Year: Tiki Taane - Always on My Mind
International Achievement: Tied: Ladyhawke and Brooke Fraser
Legacy Award: Ray Columbus and the Invaders
Best Album Cover: Ruban Nielson, Screens (The Mint Chicks).
Best Engineer: Andrew Buckton, The Brave Don't Run (Midnight Youth).
Best Producer: Fat Freddy's Drop, Dr Boondigga and the Big BW (Fat Freddy's Drop)

You can also find reports of the evening on the Stuff.co.nz website , the NZ Music Awards website or on the NZ Herald website.