Have you heard of the Canadian-born country singer Tami Neilson? If not, you better stop what you’re doing and take a look at this rising star that gives a bit of soul into the country music we know.
Tami Neilson’s Humble Beginnings
Tami Neilson was born in Canada and is currently living in New Zealand with her husband, Grant Tetzlaff, and her two children. Neilson grew up surrounded by music and shows. When she was young, she joined her parents and brothers as the opener for country stars Johnny Cash, Kitty Wells, and Loretta Lynn. This experience prepared her for the spotlight she is in now.
“Walk (Back to Your Arms),” First Award-winning Song
After her brothers went their own ways to make music, Tami pursued her solo career. In 2014, she released her song “Walk (Back to Your Arms).” It’s a song that gave her numerous awards. She was awarded the APRA Silver Scroll for her songwriting skills. Furthermore, she won the Best Female Artist on the National Country Music Awards, and “Best Country Song” during the NZ Country Music Awards.
After the success of her single, Neilson released her 2014 album Dynamite. Not long after, she again won an award for her album. She took home the APRA’s Best Country Album Award in 2015.
Albums
She followed her award-winning album with another one in 2015. Don’t Be Afraid is the album that reached number three on the New Zealand charts that was dedicated to her father. Two songs in her album were written by her father before his death.
Last year, she released her album Sassafrass! which was nominated for the New Zealand Music Awards for Album of the Year.
For You
A New Look in Country Music
Tami is a combination of soul, rockabilly, and country all fused together. She gives country music a new sound and life to it. In addition, her raven black hair and statement fringe give us a 60’s vibes we can all enjoy while listening to her music.
Positive Reviews
Nick Bollinger of NZ National Radio described her to be,
“A red-hot honky-tonker, somewhere between Patsy Cline and Wanda Jackson with perhaps just a little bit of Peggy Lee sophistication.”
Furthermore, Ferd Dellar from MOJO, UK, said the same as Bollinger, that Tami is a combination of the rockabilly artist Wanda Jackson, and country star, Patsy Cline.
“Tami Neilson is not a stage name. In fact, there’s nothing fake about Tami. The ballads come tearful and twangful, the uptempo fare tumbles out in pure rockabilly mode…a combination of Wanda Jackson and Patsy Cline.”
