Guyton, who works for the Department of Conservation, was overwhelmed by her win.
"It's awesome. I'm not sure where my head is at the moment," she said shortly after being announced as the winner.
A sell-out crowd packed the Gore Town and Country Club for the awards finals, despite cold, wet weather in Gore.
Guyton dominated, winning the New Zealand composition, country rock, and female vocal solo awards - in addition to forming half the duo "Sae and Haz", which won the duet section.
Guyton claimed the first runner-up title at the 2009 awards and entered "as many sections as I could" this year in the hope of claiming the winner's title at the 37th annual awards, she said.
"I got a taste of it last year and realised how much I enjoyed this genre of music," she said.
Guyton sings in reggae and blues pub bands in Invercargill.
Runners-up were The Mitis, Tiana and Justina Miti, of Wellington, who won the group and vocal group sections. Their brother, Sonny Miti, was the winner of the instrumental section.
There was a record number of awards entries after a rule change which for the first time allowed performers who had recorded their music to enter.
"It's been a very busy weekend," Gold Guitars publicity officer Shona Hewlett said.
- Rachael Kelly
