Wairarapa Country Music Festival 10-13 January 2019

Bevan Gardiner of John Denver Tribute fame to headline the 2019 Country Music Festival alongside Marian Burns.

More information coming soon…

In 2018 the Wairarapa Country Music Festival presented Jody Direen

Jody Direen, ‘The Queen of Country Music’, headlined the 2018 Country Music Festival on 12, 13 & 14 January.

Hailing from Wanaka, Jody began touring New Zealand at 20 years old as a solo acoustic artist. She released her debut album ‘Here We Go’ in 2011 with her own writing credits behind every original song. The album proved to be a hit with her local fanbase and in 2012 she won the Horizon Award (CMANZ) which also secured her a guest spot performing at the CMA Festival Global Artist Showcase in Nashville, TN (the largest country music festival in the world).

Jody loved Nashville so much, she stayed on to write and record her next album for three months. During this time, U.S based talent management company Bear Grylls Ventures managed and supported her. Under their guidance, her first single ‘Loud’ off her second studio album ‘Breaks Out’ was released with an edgier sound. ‘Loud’ launched straight to #1 in the NZ iTunes Country chart and remained in the NZ TOP 20 for two weeks peaking at #14.

‘Loud’ succeeded across the ditch in Australia too debuting on the Country Music Channel (CMC) at #10 and #13 on Australian Country Radio. Honoured by CMANZ as the 2015 Female Artist of the Year and crowned Best Female Vocalist by VAC (Benny Awards) that same year, Jody also received her first three CMC nominations for New Oz Artist, Oz Artist and Female Artist of the Year. The release of ‘Breaks Out’ was a turning point in Jody’s career with fourteen tracks laden with inescapable hooks and powerful vocals. Fans connected with Jody all over the world through her new music with Jody’s writing credits behind a majority of the songs. The second and third singles off the album, ‘Tattoo’ and ‘Together’ both charted Top 10 across New Zealand.

Supporting Acts 2018

We had a great line-up for the 2018 Festival! Click on the artists image below for more information.