People often ask me how I got started singing, and in particular why it took me so long well, the truth is I was always kind of shy when it came to singing. I knew I had a voice but apart from when I had had a couple of drinks was never really comfortable singing in front of others. Deep down I had always had a longing to perform and I guess just needed a bit of a kick to get up and do it.

Anyway at that time here in New Zealand there was a superb entertainer by the name of Billy T. James. Billy a New Zealand Maori (a race renowned for their love of music and singing) was to me everything an entertainer should be. He was a great comedian, singer and musician. I had seen Billy a number of times and was in awe of his talent. Sadly In 1991 Billy who had suffered from a heart condition for a number of years died suddenly at the age of 42. I remember being terribly shocked by his tragic passing…

I was 35 at the time and got to thinking about Billy’s passing and how precious life is. I decided that I would get out there and sing while I still had the chance to do it. A little later my partner, some friends and I attended the Hutt Valley Country Music Awards. I remember saying to Helen, "I am gonna enter these awards next year." They all laughed, but I did enter and it all started from there.

Over the years that followed I played in Rock and Roll bands, Country bands and Solo. I travelled from Whangarei to Arrowtown playing music in New Zealand, I sang at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in Australia and even got to sing in Nashville Tennessee, thanks to great friends Sally & Brian Burgess. I have played rodeos, birthdays, festivals, weddings, anniversaries you name it, I have played it. In short I have had a ball playing country music and have no plans to stop.

Awards:

• Winner of 6 "overalls" and 4 runner-up "overalls" in competitions around New Zealand.
• Winner Senior Male and Senior Gospel - Gold Coast Country Music Festival 2003 (Australia).
• Runner-up in the 1996 Country Music Entertainer of the Year.
• Finalist 1994 New Zealand Country Music Entertainer of the Year.
• Finalist 1993 Smoke Free Artist of the Year.

Both albums are currently receiving tremendous support from country radio stations in New Zealand & Australia.

Men N'Black:

One of the very best things I have ever done in music was teaming up with Kenny Teo & Laurie the Truck as Men N'Black. Two of the most talented musos I have ever played with. I think we had won 15 overall titles in country music competitons between us when we met. Laurie had also won the instrumental section at the Gold Guitar Awards in Gore (New Zealand`s version of Tamworth or Nashville Tennessee.)

We decided that we would introduce New Zealand country music fans to the more modern style of country which was coming out of the USA at the time. We competed a number of times together, eventually winning the overall title at the Wairarapa Country Music Awards in Masterton in 1995, we then went on to place runners-up in the New Zealand Country Music Entertainer of the Year Competition in 1996. It was a very memorable time for me.

I owe Laurie and Ken heaps, also Laurie wrote "Country Girl" which is the final track on my first album "Keeper of the Stars".