Chris covers all the musical bases
SIMON WONG
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With his bushy beard, long hair and heavy metal band T-shirt, Nelson man Chris Whitnell looks like he would be more at home at a rock concert than a country music awards show.
The 26-year-old was in Blenheim at the weekend to compete in the 21st annual Gourmet Paradise Country Music Awards at the FloorPride Civic Theatre.
About 55 performers from around the South Island converged on Blenheim to compete in the awards. There were no entries from the North Island his year.
Between performances on Sunday, Mr Whitnell changed out of his white shirt and black waistcoat and into a worn black Trivium T-shirt.
The 19-year veteran of the country music scene said he was used to people taking second glances at awards shows, especially when he had piercings in his early 20s. "It's not the country music look."
Mr Whitnell grew up on country music, but as he got older his musical interests expanded, and he now listens to everything from country to jazz, rock and death metal. Performing was a good way to meet other people and make friends, he said.
His focus was on performing in groups, but he entered individual categories because "you might as well enter everything".
Over the years, he had won a few awards as a junior and intermediate individual competitor, but the senior category was more competitive, he said. He was not bothered if he won or lost, because he enjoyed performing.
Mr Whitnell entered the open vocal group category with the B Sharps as well as his individual entries in senior male country gospel, senior male country rock, traditional and the senior open category.
At the end of last night's concert, Jane Evans, from Dunedin, emerged as the overall winner after taking out the senior female country gospel section. The overall runner-up was Luke Connor, from Nelson.
More photos: page 5
- The Marlborough Express
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