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For Immediate Release - News / “What’s On” / Entertainment News   Contact info: J.R. Still Ph. /fax:  09 427 8146 ______________________________________________________________________________ The Variety Artists of New Zealand awards JamesRAy with the coveted Top Male Artist Award for 2011 New Zealand’s definitive Entertainment Industry Awards chooses American born performer   (HIBISCUS COAST) – 8 November 2011 – The VAC Awards has named Hibiscus Coast resident, JamesRAy, the 2011 Top Male Artist.    The VAC Awards is a virtual history of NZ entertainment with some of the greatest performers in the proud history of New Zealand entertainment being honoured by them.  Recognised as New Zealand’s definitive Entertainment Industry Awards, each of the VAC’s annual gongs are keenly sought-after and highly coveted. When American born singer/songwriter/entertainer, JamesRAy; was announced by Ray Woolf, kiwi showbiz icon and entertainer, as the VAC 2011 Top Male Artist  “It was like being recognised by New Zealand entertainment royalty”, says JamesRAy.  “I was truly humbled by the history and honour just given that I was overwhelmed with gratitude.”  Guests of the night included: Gray Bartlett, Tom Sharplin, David Hartnell, Larry Morris, Eddie Low Shane and several other kiwi legends along with around 250 other professional entertainers, industry persons and supporters. JamesRAy has lived on the Hibiscus Coast of New Zealand for eleven years now.  After moving here in 2000, JR thought his dreams of being a professional performer were left behind in the US.  “When I moved to New Zealand and people asked me what I did I told them I was a singer/songwriter/performer.  When they asked what kind of music I performed and I’d proudly tell them I’m a Country performer I’d get worried looks and comments like ‘good luck with that’ or ‘you’ll only get to perform in country clubs’.   I thought to myself what have I done moving to a country that snarls at the music I have always known and performed?  I didn’t move here for a music career so I thought as soon as my personal circumstances allow I’m back to the US.  But as fate would have it I met and married a beautiful kiwi, became a dad and have happily made New Zealand my home” he explains. When asked how he came to continue chasing his dream, JamesRAy says, “I took the advice of the person who said I’d have to perform in a ‘country club’ and since being from the southern part of the states went to the nearest golf course country club to inquire about a gig!  To my surprise I found out there were actually ‘country music clubs’!   The good folks there were so supportive and kind to me just like good country folks are back home.  But, I soon found out that New Zealander’s all over the north and south island did in fact like good country music, old and new.  Granted not much of the new country gets much airplay here but by way of the internet and word of mouth it’s growing.”  JamesRAy continues, “It’s funny how sometimes young people will come up to me and say that’s really awesome music without even thinking it’s ‘country’.  Some of the older folks still like to think it’s ‘Country & Western’ but today’s country music has very little or no ‘Western” in it and really hasn’t since the 70’s.” Country music is still the worlds most listened to genre and sells the most live concert tickets of any music in the world today according to international sales reports and statistics.  In New Zealand there are around 250 country music clubs with membership of 100-200 people still supporting the older style country.  “New Zealand’s newer country fans are so starved for contemporary country music shows, venues and product that I’m guessing that is why the weekly Acoustic Country Sunday show I host  is nearing seven years of growth and success”, states JamesRAy. You can find out more about JamesRAy at: www.jamesray.co.nz or the VAC at www.vac.org.nz

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