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2026 Wairarapa Music in The Country artists

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    Shaun Preston
    Shaun Preston is a New Zealand-based singer, songwriter, and pianist, known for his energetic performances and versatility across diferent music styles.
    He is highly regarded as a live entertainer, frequently performing at weddings, corporate events, and festivals throughout New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. His music blends elements of pop, rock, and classical piano, and he is known for both his original songs and covers.
    Dan Cosgrove
    Dan Cosgrove and The DCP hail from the heart of Waikato, bringing together a powerhouse of seasoned performers with years of experience. Recently, they’ve been turning heads and shaking up the country rock scene with their music videos, rapidly gaining traction across social media platforms.
    Known for their electrifying stage presence and musicianship, The DCP are bound to impress. At the helm is Dan Cosgrove the musical mastermind behind the group’s dynamic sound. He's joined by a star-studded lineup: Ryan Monaghan on guitar, Josh Blaikie, on drums, and Mark Stoddart, on bass.
    Adam McGrath - The Eastern
    Adam McGrath is a folk singer and yarn spinner stationed wherever he can get a key! He is the winner of the 2024 Aotearoa/New Zealand Folk Artist of the Year Award at the Aotearoa/New Zealand music awards.
    Described by RNZ as a “National Treasure” and the Herald as “NZ’s toughest minded songwriter”, Adam is more widely known as lead singer and songwriter with one of NZ’s most loved roots/country bands The Eastern. He spends eight months a year on the road between NZ, Australia, Europe and parts beyond.
    Rowdy’s Rose
    Rowdy’s Rose is a husband and wife, award-winning modern country duo from Waikato. Known for their heartfelt songwriting and dynamic performances, they were recently named International Band Single of the Year 2025 Gold Winners at the International Singer Songwriter Association Awards in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, for their single “No Greater Love”, a recognition that has also made them eligible for Grammy consideration.
    Blending their diverse musical influences, the duo writes and performs together with a style described by industry insiders, including Glasgow based producer G Stobie, as reminiscent of the Buckingham Nicks era of Fleetwood Mac. Their sound is a modern take on country, rich with emotion, harmony, and storytelling.
    Karra Rhodes
    Karra Rhodes is a Scottish-born, Kiwi-based country-pop artist with powerhouse vocals and unapologetic storytelling.With influences like Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Delta Goodrem, her sound fuses country grit with pop-rock punch.
    Karra’s track Tell Me Mama already picked up a nomination at the 2024 MLT Songwriting Awards, she’s also made moves internationally as a semi-finalist in the prestigious International Songwriting Competition. With her debut album Hometown Therapy due in the works and a growing fanbase behind her, you’ll want to be one of the originals.
    Roger Tibbs
    Roger remains the only New Zealand male to have received a Tamworth Gold Guitar for a solo award. After working in Australia and NZ, producing several albums Roger performed at the Calgary Stampede in Canada in 2008. This led to touring the United States. From 2010 there were three tours in three years with an ever growing fan base. At this time Roger was inducted into the Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame in the USA.
    The USA adventure came to an end when Roger suffered tragedy in 2014, all musical aspirations came to an end. Rogers’ guitar sat under the bed, all future bookings cancelled. It's taken many years but after encouragement from Rogers’ friends and music industry contemporaries, desire has been rekindled, in 2023 a brand new album has been produced featuring originals and music from a lifetime of experience.
    Dennis August
    Dennis August is celebrated as one of NZ’s finest country singers. His musical journey began in 1980 and has since taken him to stages across the country and overseas, earning both national and international recognition. Over the years, he has shared the stage with acclaimed artists including Sharon O’Neil, Keith Urban, and Tony Emmanuel, touring extensively throughout Australasia.
    Dennis’s talent has been recognised with numerous awards, the most recent at the Gold Guitar Awards in Dunedin, where he was inducted into the NZ hands of fame. He was also awarded overall winner’s title at the Golden Clef Awards in Rotorua, Artist of the Year in Motueka, and Best Overall Male at the Professional Recording Industry Music Awards in Wellington. With 12 albums to his name, Dennis continues to be a strong voice in NZ’s country music scene.
    Shane Clarke
    Shane is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from Timaru, South Canterbury. He’s played in many bands over the last 20 years and toured with the likes Kevin Greaves and Eddie Low. Shane has taught Itinerant Music Lessons and worked with school bands around Mid and South Canterbury for many years.
    He is very excited to be coming to the festival in 2026 for the first time. Shane will entertain you with singalongs, crowd favourites and his typical cheeky humour.
    Jenny Bennett
    Jenny Bennett is the current President of the Merrilands Country & Variety Music Club, in New Plymouth. Born into a musical family, Jenny began her journey performing with local bands before a major health setback in 2000. After suffering a stroke that left her unable to walk, talk, or sing, she fought back—with the help of a determined friend and a karaoke machine—and gradually reclaimed her voice.
    In 2012, Jenny moved to Brisbane, where she worked in disability services as a music coordinator, witnessing firsthand how music transcends barriers. Like many Kiwi musicians in Australia, she found joy performing at local markets. Returning to NZ in 2023, Jenny discovered the vibrant country music club scene and quickly immersed herself. Now a passionate advocate for festivals and awards, she’s thrilled to be part of the upcoming January 2026 Festival weekend.
    Jocelyn & George Tuahine
    Jocelyn and George Tuahine are a dynamic duo whose passion for country music has left a lasting impact on the New Zealand music scene. Together, they co-founded the Taranaki Country Music Festival in 2018—a celebration of traditional country music that continues to grow in popularity and community spirit.
    Jocelyn began performing at 16, winning talent quests and national awards, and has played bass in several bands while supporting local artists and mentoring the next generation. George started performing at age ten, later touring internationally and sharing stages with iconic acts like the Howard Morrison Quartet and Prince Tui Teka. A seasoned guitarist and bass player, he eventually settled in New Plymouth, where he met Jocelyn.
    Charmaine Puriri & Matty Otene
    Charmain and Matty come from the sunny Hawkes Bay. "We’ve been singing Country music together for about five years. We love the friendships we have made and the camaraderie we see throughout all the clubs and festivals we have been to.""
    Doug Brooks
    Doug’s musical journey began at age seven, when his father brought his grandmother’s piano home. That same afternoon, a family friend gifted him a Honky Tonk piano record and offered ten shillings if he could learn to play one song within six months to a year. Just one week later, she returned—curious to hear his progress. After a call from Doug’s father, she asked, “What can he play?” His father simply replied, “Everything.” And the rest, as they say, is history.
    Doug discovered he could play any instrument by ear. Over the years, he mastered piano, guitar, saxophone, and clarinet—performing both solo and in big bands. He was sent to renowned music teachers, but after playing everything they taught, they admitted they had nothing more to offer. Today, Doug continues to perform with various bands and remains passionate about country music, blues, rock, jazz—anything melodic with a groove.
    Jo Emett & Gavin Pene
    Jo & Gav are a magnetic husband-and-wife duo whose musical journey began over two decades ago. United by a shared passion for performance, they blend beloved classics with soulful original compositions to create a sound that connects deeply with audiences of all kinds.
    Performing under the name Timeless Therapy, Jo & Gav deliver a signature style that fuses Country, Reggae, and Blues—wrapped in an uplifting, feel-good vibe that both energizes and soothes. Their music is more than entertainment; it’s a heartfelt experience.This year marks their debut at the Wairarapa Music in the Country Festival, and they’re thrilled to be joined by Hired Guns—talented musicians they’ve bonded with through country music events across Aotearoa.
    Grant Reha-Timoti
    Grant Reha-Timoti is a dynamic performer known for his quick-witted humour, high-energy shows, and velvet-smooth vocals. A seasoned entertainer, Grant has been a vibrant part of the country music scene since bursting onto the stage in 1996.
    Over the years, he’s earned accolades as both a solo artist and as part of the award-winning duo Two Aces. His talent has taken him to the Trans-Tasman Music Awards in Norfolk Island, multiple Entertainer of the Year titles, and performances at prestigious events across Australia. Grant’s reputation as a charismatic compère is legendary. He’s a sought-after MC for festivals, awards ceremonies, and fundraising events throughout the North Island, effortlessly blending professionalism with infectious humour
    Sam Auger
    Sam Auger is a singer-songwriter with a flair for storytelling and a knack for turning everyday moments into lyrical gems. A founding member of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, Sam toured nationally and internationally, singing and playing the happy little instrument.
    His most Recent recorded work “Come and be lonely” under the pseudonym “The Lonesome Cowboy” was a live studio recording with a bunch of fine musicians and a fair bit of whiskey, and is a grity exploration into the genre of dark alt country story telling. His current songs, yet to be released, explore the promiscuity of his cat, interpretations of anxiety dreams, and more. He can be found performing every now and then at Mesita, a small wine bar in Martinborough.
    Tararua Moonshine
    Tararua Moonshine is a Wellington/Wairarapa-based four-piece born out of long-standing friendships and a shared love of making music. Three of the band - Dave, Seamus and Gareth - go way back to their Wairarapa College days, having played together on and off for nearly 30 years. Rounding out the group is vocalist Gemma, a seasoned performer who brings powerhouse vocals and a little sparkle to the mix.
    With deep and varied musical roots and a sound that draws from decades of shared experience, Tararua Moonshine offers a set that’s rich, raw and full of character. Their live shows are a celebration of music made for the joy of it: seasoned, spontaneous, and worth showing up for.
    Avril Williams
    My introduction to country music came ten years ago, thanks to a group of friends . Not long after, I joined the Coastal Country Music Club in Tauranga—and with a bundle of nervous energy and borrowed chord charts, I sang my first song: “Grandpa.”
    While I enjoy Gospel, Country Rock, and Traditional Country & Western, it’s the ballads that speak to me most. They tell stories that transport you—evoking memories of times gone by and loved ones past and present. I’ve had the privilege of performing at country music clubs, fundraisers, and festivals across Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Taranaki.
    Aileen Silver
    Aileen’s musical journey began at age 12 in a small two-room school in Rawhitiroa, east of Eltham. With no formal training but a natural gift for performing, she was on stage by 13 and soon developed a lifelong love of country music.
    After taking time out to raise a family, Aileen returned to singing as part of the duo Serendipity, earning success at the Taupo Invitation Awards before helping establish the 2ZH Country Music Club in Hawera. She later joined the Merrilands Country Music Club in New Plymouth and even toured Canada and America with Kevin Greaves — ticking Graceland off her bucket list!
    Jan McKay
    Based in Hastings, Janet McKay is a passionate vocalist whose musical journey spans decades, genres, and stages. From childhood, she’s been immersed in music—beginning with church worship, musical productions, and nationwide Youth for Christ talent quests. After a long break, Janet rediscovered her love for singing through Christian-based cultural performing arts, touring nationally and internationally as a soloist.
    Since then, she’s continued to perform across a wide range of musical arenas: from local musical theatre productions to national television singing competitions, country music awards, and reaching Entertainer of the Year status.Currently, Janet serves in her local church’s music ministry and is directing two upcoming musical theatre productions. She also performs with a country music band at her local RSA club and was recently awarded first place in a karaoke competition—proof that her voice continues to shine.