Media release 31 July 2023 Pacific Music Awards Lifetime Achievement awarded to Toni Williams 2023 Pacific Music Awards live on 9th August, tickets available from Eventfinda The Pacific Music Awards is proud to announce this year's Manukau Institute of Technology Te Pukenga Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is the late Toni Williams, a remarkable recording artist whose contributions to the music industry have left an indelible mark on the hearts of many. Toni Williams, also known as Antoni Williams, captivated audiences with his soulful voice and remarkable talent throughout the 1960s and beyond. Born in Rarotonga, Toni Williams' musical journey began in the mid-1950s when he co-founded one of Auckland's first skiffle groups, The Housewarmers. His undeniable passion for music led him to become the lead singer and guitarist of the hardworking rock and roll group, The Tremellos, showcasing his versatility and dedication to his craft. The Tremellos were booked by Harry M Miller, as part of the Showtime Spectacular which toured for 21 weeks and they were also the support act for international artists such as the Everly Brothers, Jimmie Rodgers, Johnny Ray and Connie Francis. They would late record for Miller’s label La Gloria. Toni Williams’ recording debut was also with La Gloria, in 1960, with the first of many singles ‘Cradle of Love’. During an era where emulating overseas hits was commonplace, Toni Williams stood out as more than just a covers artist.With a swinging croon reminiscent of Sam Cooke, he charmed audiences with his interpretations of popular songs, but it was his originality that truly set him apart. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, his solo career flourished, and his live performances became legendary, leaving a lasting impact on the music scene. He would spend 10 years working the cabaret circuit in Australia, returning to New Zealand in 1976. One of Toni Williams' most notable accomplishments was the success of his single ‘The One I Sing My Love Songs To’, which secured a spot at number nine on the New Zealand charts for two weeks in August 1977. Preceding this hit, ‘Rose (Can I Share A Bed With You)’ written by Peter Posa, reached number 28 in April 1977, becoming a local classic, further solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the New Zealand music landscape. Additionally, his song ‘Tellabout’ featured on the 1972 album Studio One Hits showcased his ability to create memorable and timeless tracks. From 1979, Toni would take the place of Wi Wharekura for occasional reunions of the Howard Morrison Quartet. His career lasted over 50 years and he had an impeccable professional reputation. Gerry Merito from the Quartet nicknamed him ‘Mr Reliable’. Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua says: “2023 Pacific Music Awards humbly announces the Manukau Institute of Technology Te Pukenga Lifetime Achievement Award recipient as Cook Island's Toni Williams. Mr Williams migrated to Aotearoa Niu Sila becoming a popular singer, music legend, and pioneer. The Pacific music contribution to our migrant nation of New Zealand's musical history is again acknowledged, honoured, and celebrated.” There will be a special presentation at the 2023 Pacific Music Awards in August to celebrate Toni William’s legacy and contribution to the Pacific music scene. Toni’s family will be present to accept the award on his behalf. Announcing an exciting line up of performers Alongside celebrating the legacy of Toni Williams, the 2023 Pacific Music Awards will feature performances by Finalists: Melodownz, Lou’ana, Lepani, Jordyn With A Why, Jaro Local, Poetik and Victor J Sefo. There will also be special performances with a collective featuring Three Star Nation, celebrating Niue, the rock of Polynesia; and performing in honour of our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will be Cook Island String Band, the KabinBread Boyz. The 2023 Pacific Music Awards will take place on Wednesday 9th August at the Due Drop Events Centre (formerly named the Vodafone Events Centre) in Manukau. Tickets for the 2023 Pacific Music Awards can be purchased through Eventfinda: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2023/2023-pacific-music-awards/auckland/manukau-city Issued for the Pacific Music Awards by Pead Contact: Alice Grigg, Pead | 021 299 5665 | alice.grigg@pead.co.nz
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Media release 28 June 2023 Announcing the 2023 Pacific Music Awards finalistsThe 2023 Pacific Music Awards will take place Wednesday 9th August The finalists for the 2023 Pacific Music Awards were announced last night at an event hosted at the recording studio, live music venue and community space Big Fan in Morningside, Auckland. Across 13 awards categories, this year’s 24 finalists encompass a wide range of new artists and established musicians. At the 2023 Pacific Music Awards, there are 10 first time finalists, alongside 13 previous award winners. This year’s lead finalists including MELODOWNZ, Olivia Foa’i and Sam V who are each nominated for four award categiries at this year’s awards. Hip hop talent MELODOWNZ is nominated for NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, Matai Watches Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist and Recorded Music Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa | Best Pacific Music Album for his album Lone Wolf. He’s also nominated for NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video for ‘Pray For Me feat. Lisi, Mikey Dam’, directed by Connor Pritchard. Dancer, director and musician Olivia Foa’i is nominated for Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, SunPix Best Pacific Language and APRA Best Pacific Song for her song ‘Sunlight’, as well as NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video alongside director Shae Sterling. Contemporary RnB artist Sam V is also nominated for four categories at this year’s awards, including NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist for The one, the lonely EP, and APRA Best Pacific Song for ‘Come Through’. He’s also nominated for MPG/SAE Best Producer for his tracks ‘Come Through’, ‘Sex & Pain’, ‘Love Again’ and ’ I Tried To Tell U’ alongside producer Edward Liu. Kiwi Pacific soul singer Lou’ana is nominated for three categories at the 2023 Pacific Music Awards, including Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist, Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist and NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video for ‘Lost & Found’ alongside director Anna Rose Duckworth. Polynesian singer-songwriter Victor J Sefo is nominated for three categories as well, including NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist, APRA Best Pacific Song and MPG/SAE Best Producer for the self-produced tracks ‘685’ and ‘685 Remix’. There’s plenty of emerging talent on display at this year’s 2023 Pacific Music Awards, with 10 first time nominnees including Deceptikonz (APRA Best Pacific Song, Flava Best Pacific Group, Matai Watches Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist), Wayno (531pi Best Gospel Artist, SunPix Best Pacific Language), Blsd One (531pi Best Gospel Artist), Canaan Ene x Junior Soqeta (SunPix Best Pacific Language), Canaan Ene x Swiss (Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), FAIVA (Niu FM Best International Pacific Artist), Hales (NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video with director Canaan Ene), Jordyn with a Why (Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist), Mareko x Ricky Paul (MPG/SAE Best Producer), Sweet & Irie (Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist), and their first nomination as a duo Rei & Olivia Foa'I (SunPix Best Pacific Language). Other finalists include:
Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua said: “Pacific Music Awards has the unique distinction of being the only Music Awards for over a decade hosting a Finalist Night where all the Finalist are Winners. The Fa'ave Tikanga principle was to honour the parents, families, communities and nations. Our Pasifika artists bring their families and share this historic musical moment but it is also now their family, community, and nation's history. “Pacific Music Awards also wish to express heartfelt Aroha Alofa Aloha to our Pacific music communities, networks and industry for the incredible Tautua serving our families, communities and nations during COVID. Being there for our people through their zooms, podcast, internet concerts taking our people through COVID with Musika music of Hope, Love and Resilience for the mental health and well being of our people, the Pacific Music Awards will not forget." Alongside the 13 award categories, there will be eight additional awards presented on the night including the Phillip Fuemana Most Promising Pacific Artist, NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award, NZ On Air Streaming Award, SunPix People’s Choice Award – Best Pacific Artist, Creative New Zealand Award, Arch Angel Independent Artist Award, Ministry for Pacific Peoples Special Recognition Award, and Manukau Institute of Technology Te Pukenga Lifetime Achievement Award. The winner of the Recorded Music Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa | Best Pacific Music Album category is presented with an official Tūī and recognised at the next Aotearoa Music Awards. The APRA Best Pacific Song Award recipient will also be recognised at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards. Once again, the SunPix People’s Choice Award is open to the public, with all artists nominated for the 2023 Pacific Music Awards eligible. The winner is solely determined by public vote, with voting only available through the voting poll here on the PMA website. Voting for the People’s Choice Award is now open and will close Wednesday 26 July (11:59pm). Furthermore, Matai Watches has officially joined the 2023 Pacific Music Awards as sponsor of the Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist Award. With Pacific heritage at the centre and foundation of the company, the winner of this award will receive a special watch from the Matai collection. To listen to all of the nominees, here’s the official 2023 Pacific Music Awards Spotify playlist. This year’s Pacific Music Award winners will be celebrated at an event on Wednesday 9th August at the Due Drop Events Centre (formaly named the Vodafone Events Centre) in Manukau. Tickets for the 2023 Pacific Music Awards will go on sale in early July through Eventfinda. 2023 Pacific Music Awards finalists:Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist:
NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist:
Flava Best Pacific Group:
NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video:
APRA Best Pacific Song:
SunPix Best Pacific Language:
Matai Watches Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist:
Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist:
Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist:
531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist:
Niu FM Best International Pacific Artist:
MPG/SAE Best Producer
Recorded Music Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa | Best Pacific Music Album
All the artist finalists:
For more information: www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz Issued for the Pacific Music Awards by Pead About the Pacific Music Awards:In 2004 the Pacific Music Awards Committee (PMAC) was formed to realise a vision and the inaugural Pacific Music Awards debuted at Pasifika Festival in March 2005. Encouraged by the success of the awards the PMAC set about developing an annual event as a significant highlight of the New Zealand music industry calendar. The awards committee formed a Charitable Trust to organise and host the awards, and are driven by a simple core objective: to create and manage an event that acknowledges the success of Pacific artists, celebrates and promotes excellence in Pacific music and encourages young Pacific musicians to aspire to a higher level of achievement. Contact:Media Release May 2023 Motherland, Pacific Islands largest music festival Motherland Samoa, Saturday 3 June 2023, Apia Park, Samoa PacifiCast presents Motherland Samoa a cultural music festival, celebrating Pacific heritage and reconnecting communities to the homeland of Samoa. Held at Apia Park the festival features a line-up of Pacific artists from around the world, led by the godfather of Pacific music, Fiji; international star J Boog and a strong contingent from both Australia and New Zealand, including HP Boyz, Lisi, Savage, DJ Noiz, Kennyon Brown, Tomorrow People and Wayno. Motherland Samoa will be a full immersive experience and celebration. The festival will showcase and celebrate heritage. It will be an unforgettable cultural experience. Motherland Samoa provides the audience with the opportunity to reconnect with their cultural roots and return to their motherland. Connecting through the universal language of music, the festival provides the platform for internationally recognised artists alongside emerging Pacific artists. The line up also includes local Samoan artists including Mautoatasi & Matalena, Zipso and the Pacific Love Band. Wanting to provide Samoa with a festival of international standard, it was intentional to select artists from across the globe, to firstly provide the best line up and to also provide the opportunity for the artists to reconnect with Samoa. Each of the artists jumped at this chance to return home. “I am so excited to come home and perform for my people. I am a proud Samoan but more importantly I am a proud Pasifika man and this festival will unite us.” Said Wayno. PacifiCast founder Julius Tuigamala said “This festival was built from the heart to serve both our Pasifika community and our extremely talented artists. After a successful world cup campaign with Toa Samoa and Mate Ma’a Tonga Rugby League teams it was important for PacifiCast to now support our musicians and deliver a world class music event. Our team is comprised of experienced organisers, cultural advocates, and industry professionals who are dedicated to creating an unforgettable experience for our attendees. I believe our festival is the solution that Pacific Islanders have been waiting for, and we're excited to share it with the world.” Pacific people are facing issues of identity and for many, they are at risk of losing their language, traditions, and cultural practices. This loss of identity can have a profound impact on mental health and well-being. PacifiCast recognise this and was key motivation to create the Motherland Festivals, to ensure that future generations can connect with their roots and maintain a sense of identity and belonging. Motherland has the potential to reach millions of people worldwide, creating a global community that celebrates and preserves Pacific cultural heritage and encourages them to commute home. A unique feature of Motherland is their ticketing model, which gives back to the community by providing all GA tickets for free. VIP Pass and VVIP Pass ticket packages are also available and through the innovation of Humbl a unique NFT ticketing experience will be introduced, promising prizes, discounts, and giveaways. In addition to the tickets, on offer is a range of merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, and other items that celebrate the festival. Motherland is presented by PacifiCast who strive to elevate and celebrate Pacific culture and talent, and to showcase the Pacific region to the world. They focus on celebrating and preserving cultural heritage and achieve this through promoting sports, music and cultural events that highlight the unique talents of Pasifika people. Motherland is their latest endeavour, starting with Motherland Samoa, the Motherland Festivals will then tour the Pacific Islands with unique line-ups tailored to the hosting nations. The major partners for Motherland Samoa are Samoa Tourism Authority, Taumeasina Island Resort, Vodafone Samoa and Humbl with a list of more to be announced shortly. PacifiCast hope that Motherland will be the occasion, the reason, the anchor for Pacific people around the world to book their trip back home to the Pacific Islands. For a selection of tracks from the featured artists, listen to the music here on the Motherland Spotify playlist For the ticketing and event information go to: www.motherlandfest.com.au Motherland Samoa Full Line up: Fiji, J Boog, HP Boyz, Lisi, Savage, DJ Noiz, Kennyon Brown, Tomorrow People, Bina Butta, Wayno, Lani Alo, DJ Tikelz, DJ 651, Donell Lewis, Mautaotasi & Matalenaa, Pacific Love Band, Rellek Brown, Tree, Zipso, DJ Kayoz, DJ Wreckah. Hosted by Dr Tua. Issued for PacifiCast About PacifiCast The mission of PacifiCast, is to elevate and celebrate Pacific Islander culture and talent, and to showcase the beauty and richness of the Pacific region to the world. They do this through promoting sports, music and cultural events that highlight the unique talents of Pasifika people. PacifiCast is a cultural agency, who are also committed to working with governments and communities to tackle regional challenges in areas such as education, health, finance, and technology. Through innovative solutions, they aim to create positive change and improve the lives of people in the Pacific and for our diasporas. PacifiCast believe that by sharing Pacific cultural heritage with the world, this can foster greater understanding and appreciation of the Pacific Islander community, and promote unity and harmony across diverse cultures. PacifiCast are dedicated to empowering Pasifika people and contributing to a brighter future for our region. Contact Petrina Togi-Sa’ena |+64 272451898 | petrina.harmonyagency@gmail.com Media release: April 2023 The Pacific Music Awards Trust is dedicated to celebrating Pacific music and honouring our Pacific artists, with the annual Pacific Music Awards. We are happy to announce that the 2023 Pacific Music Awards will be held on Wednesday 9 August, at the Due Drop Events Centre. Holding tight to the memories of unity and family, when we returned to a live awards ceremony last year. The happiness in the room affirmed to us how important it is to gather as a community and to celebrate. We are so motivated and excited to be working towards the 19th awards ceremony. It takes all of us, as an extended family, as a collective community, to bring the awards to life each year. The Trust wishes to sincerely thank all our artists, families, audience, sponsors, funders and the team that work on the awards event, for their support for the Pacific Music Awards. The journey to the awards ceremony, begins with the entry process and we are happy to confirm that entries for the 2023 Pacific Music Award are now open. All entries need to be submitted online through the official entry system, with the deadline for entries being: Friday 5 May 2023. Local Pacific artists, i.e. New Zealand citizens/residents, can be nominated for all the entered award categories except for the Best International Pacific Artist Award, which is open to Pacific artists from overseas. The recordings eligible for entry, can be singles, EPs or albums that have been released during the year of 1 January – 31 December 2022. For all the information about nominations for the 2023 Pacific Music Awards, including the 2023 PMA Terms & Conditions of Entry, please go to the Entries page on the awards website. The entered categories for the 2023 Pacific Music Awards are as follows:
The Pacific Music Awards Trust are also continuing their Tautua Programme, to provide support to Pacific artists. Our last two activities were the PMA OMAC Showcase and Music in Park Favona events, which were awesome live events featuring our PMA artists. Priorities for the year ahead are partnerships, mentoring and live showcases. Thank you to everyone who contributes and supports this programme. If you have any questions about the awards or the nomination process for entries, please contact the Trust on: pacificmusicawardstrust@gmail.com We look forward to providing more details with you over the next coming months and sharing the celebration of Pacific music, that is the 2023 Pacific Music Awards. Save the date of Wednesday 9 August 2023! Issued by the Pacific Music Awards Trust |
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