They dubbed themselves the Bottom Twins in homage to their heroes but the name did not stick.
Gore’s country music artists Nicola and Maegan Mitchell said they were looking for a way to honour the Topp Twins, and thought of the Bottom Twins.
It took one introduction at a show before the sisters decided it was not such a good idea.
They also found another way to honour their idols, entertainers Jools and Lynda Topp, writing a song Find a River.
The song is about the Topps finding a way to connect while separated and both battling cancer.
‘‘They were in different places so they would put their feet in the river and feet in the sea to connect,’’ they said.
The sisters sang Find a River in front of a capacity crowd at this year’s MLT Gold Guitar Award finals.
Jools Topp was in the audience to hear the song.
‘‘It was really special to have her here.’’
The song is distinctly New Zealand with a verse in te reo Ma ¯ori.
It also had special meaning to the 19-year-old twins who were living apart for the first time this year, as Nicola was studying in Wellington.
‘‘We love being back together for the Gold Guitar Awards.’’
They took out several prizes at this year’s competition, including the duet section and second place overall.
Find a River, co-written with Tami Neilson, has already received recognition, taking out second place in this year’s Apra Best Country Music Song Award.
