Finalists Announced For 2024 APRA Best Country Music Song Award

Aotearoa's premier songwriting accolade in the windswept world of country music, the finalists have been revealed for the 2024 APRA Best Country Music Song Award. This year's shortlist includes Holly Arrowsmith, Jamie McDell, Delaney Davidson, Katie Thompson, Victoria Knopp and Andy Knopp, with the winner to be announced at the Country Music Honours, opening Gore’s Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival on 24th May. The ten strong list of finalists has also been unveiled for the MLT Songwriting Award — acknowledging "unreleased songs from writers from New Zealand and Australia" (how do the judges hear these songs?), to be presented at the same red-carpet event.

“These songs dive deep into beautiful universal tales of life, love, and the road less travelled, and it is a privilege to celebrate them. Incredible songs by incredible songwriters.” — Ant Healey, APRA AMCOS

The APRA Best Country Music Song Award finalists are:

'Desert Dove' written and performed by Holly Arrowsmith

'Do You Think Of Me?' written by Katie Thompson, Victoria Knopp, and Andy Knopp, performed by Katie Thompson

'Racing Through The Night' written and performed by Delaney Davidson

'Madeline' written and performed by Jamie McDell

The 2024 MLT Songwriting Award finalists are:

‘Hardest Thing’ written by Mel Parsons
‘Nothing To Fear’ written by Mark Casey & Lavina Williams
‘Boots’ written by Jon Collins
‘Wilted Flower’ written by Fiona Louise
‘The Man Who Told Me’ written by Nicola Mitchell
‘Your Old Ways’ written by Chad Robinson & Kate Targett-Adams
‘Addicted’ written by Rosie Teese
‘Tell Me Mama’ written by Karra Rhodes
‘When I Go’ written by Zac Griffith, co-written by Allan Caswell
‘Little Victories’ written by Barry Saunders