A teenager from Nelson has scooped the top award at this year’s Gold Guitars.
Eighteen-year-old Zac Griffith took out the senior final of the MLT New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards in front of near capacity crowd in Gore on Sunday night.
The baker from Nelson was overwhelmed, near tears talking about the win.
‘‘I am over the moon, humbled, so proud so many emotions.’’
Singing since he was 8-years-old Zac had a large support crew from Nelson.
About 35 friends and family travelled south, to watch him win New Zealand’s top country honour among them his Dad Peter Griffith.
‘‘You would have to be proud. ‘He doesn’t get it from me,’’ Mr Griffith said.
The teenager won the intermediate section at the 2021 awards.
‘‘Nobody in my family is musically obliged. I was a wild card that came out.’’
Zac was in eight of the 12 section finals and scooped top places in most including the singer songwriter section for his song about love, My River Runs to You.
The song was inspired by Southland country music singer Jenny Mitchell.
‘‘I have never been in love – the song was inspired by Jenny Mitchell who has been helping me with my music.’’
Included in the $18,000 prize package is a trip to the Australian capital of country music, Tamworth, for their Gold Guitars.
The opportunity opens doors for artists some who move to Australia on their journey to musical success.
The thought of moving away from home just yet a bit much, he said.
‘‘Apparently it is where it happens. I don’t know that I could handle that.
‘‘My family are very meaningful to me. I don’t know if I could leave them and my friends.
‘‘I just want to make some sort of living doing what I love.’’
