Country Awards Honours Peter Posa

Peter Posa, the New Zealand guitarist whose instrumental “The White Rabbit” topped the NZ and Australian charts in 1964, was given the Legend Award at the National Country Music Awards.

Making his first guitar out of a piece of wood and wire from his mother’s clothesline, he went on to release 28 singles and 23 albums and toured the United States where he hung out with A-listers including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
But a car accident led to a battle with depression and alcohol.

Now 70 and honoured with an Order of Merit from the Queen, a best-of album is currently No. 1 on the local charts.

Organised by the Kiwi Pro-Am Country Music Organisation, the awards ceremony was Aug. 11 at Founders Theatre in Hamilton.

Winners included Aly Cook (best female), Trevor V Stevens (best male) and The Heartleys (best group).
Jody Direen, who won the Horizon category, will represent New Zealand in the Telstra Road to Tamworth event in Australia and also compete in the Global Artists Awards in Nashville, also sponsored by the Kiwi Pro-Am.