The red-carpet bash is New Zealand’s premier country music event, and this year will be graced by fellow nominees Tami Nielson and Jamie McDell.
The awards incorporate three events: the MLT Songwriting Awards, the Apra Country Song of the Year and the Recorded Music NZ Tui for Artist of the Year.
Mitchell appears in both the Tui and songwriting categories at tonight’s event, which will be held in the town’s St James Theatre.
The Tui nomination is for her album Wildfires; Lucy and Tug of War are nominated for a songwriting award. Mitchell’s father, Ron, is also nominated for songwriting, for his piece I’ll Be Country.
Jenny Mitchell’s career as a singer-songwriter has included two albums of original music and several awards and, at just 19, she has become one of country music’s rising stars.
Past winner Tami Neilson returns this year, nominated in all three categories, including a Tui for her sixth album, Sassafrass!
Jamie McDell and her recently released album Extraordinary Girl complete the Tui line-up.
McDell is also nominated for Country Song of the Year, for Paint On A Sign.
The MLT Songwriting Awards began in 1980 and this year received 108 entries, shortlisted to 10.
Judges for the awards are Annah Mac, Brendon Burgess, Nathan Munn and Jim Waddell.
The evening will include performances by all the artists, and guest appearances from Tokanui-born Lachie Hayes, now of Dunedin, and Luke O’Shea, of Australia.
O’Shea is an established singer-songwriter and former winner of the Golden Guitar Award in Australia.
Jeff Rea, whose association with the event goes back to 1980, hosts this year’s ceremony.
Mr Rea was inaugural winner of the MLT Songwriting Awards and is now a trustee of the New Zealand Songwriters Trust.
MLT Songwriting Awards finalists: Kaylee Bell and Tami Neilson Used to Getting Over You; Tami Neilson Queenie; Kendall Elise Slippery Creek; Kerryn Fields Mamma and Until You; Jenny Mitchell Lucy and Tug of War; Olivia Sutherland Don’t; Miller Yule Tangled Up; Ron Mitchell I’ll Be Country.
Recorded Music NZ Tui for Artist of the Year nominees: Jenny Mitchell: Wildfires; Jamie McDell: Extraordinary Girl; Tami Neilson: Sassafrass!
Apra Country Song of the Year: Slow Train Creek, by Holly Arrowsmith; Paint On A Sign, by Jamie McDell; Manitoba Sunrise at Motel 6, by Tami Neilson.
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