CMDA

29/12/2025

From the team at CMDA, we hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas, and wish you and your family a safe and happy New Year!
Bring on 2026!

29/10/2025

📣LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

CMDA have had an amazing couple of years at Taieri Bowling Club, and want to thank Rob and the team for their amazing hospitality and for going above and beyond to support us!

As we continue to grow (like our entries), we need to plan ahead.

SO....we are super excited to be heading back to where it all began for 2026....Wingatui Racecourse!

17/08/2025

We’re officially locking in our 2026 awards - and guess what? August is the magic month! ✨

Yep, we’re coming back in August 2026 and we couldn’t be more pumped! 🎤 Why the switch-up? You spoke, we listened. 💬 To make life easier for our amazing contestants and their families (hello, smoother planning and easier accommodation!), and to give our mighty little team some breathing room - we’ve landed on this perfect timing.

Mark your calendars, start the countdown, and get ready for another unforgettable celebration! 🏆

03/06/2025

Massive congratulations to our talented 2022 Senior Overall Winner, Keily Smith for winning the coverted overall title at the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards over the weekend!! So well deserved, and we are so excited for your next chapter!

New Zealand country music has a new star — with an English accent, an assertive performance style, and whose smoky and evocative tone fills a...

13/05/2025

Here at CMDA, we love to see our contestants out in the world kicking goals!
These talented young ladies, have all been contestants at CMDA throughout the past few years.

Please show your support by pre-saving, listening and sharing their new single!!!

Choose your preferred music service

29/04/2025

It’s great to see these talented young contestants grabbing the local spotlight (and a sneaky wee mention of CMDA 😉).

It was a family affair as the next generation of Gore country music made a big show at the Dunedin Country music awards. Meila Scully, 12, and her...

22/04/2025

Memories made 2025! 🥰

22/04/2025

🗃️ Lost and Found

While clearing out, we’ve found a few items left behind. So if your bags went home a little lighter cos these belong to you, please message us and we will try to reunite you ☺️

21/04/2025

🌟 Appreciation Post 🌟

Our small (but mighty) CMDA Committee of five, has dedicated countless hours, both before the event and throughout the weekend.
But we would also like to extend a few special Thank You’s:

Rob and the staff of Taieri Bowling Club for being so accomodating to our extra needs (and coming to our rescue when we needed it!)

Our awesome stage hand - Arthur Bouman

Our Volunteers:
Margaret Webster for being taxi driver/chauffeur for our judges.
Margaret Flockton and Adele Telfer for helping out with feeding the Committee, Judges and Band.
Tania Graham for being our offsite emergency runner (and on call tech support)
Holly McKnight for taking some time at the door.
Time is free but so precious! A HUGE thank you to you all!!!

Our Judges - you did an amazing (but tough) job! Cheryl Anderson, Kylie Austin-Ward and Dennis August.

Our EPIC band - Saddle Sore. Andy Gilmour, Peter Kesha, Aaron Ives, Phil Doublet.

Our awesome Rhythm Setter - Peter Cairns.

Our amazing Sound guy - Anton Harris.

To our sponsors - running awards can be costly, and they simply wouldn’t be possible with your generous support!! For those who attended, we hope you enjoyed the show and saw the impact you have on supporting our platform for our competitors- the young and young at heart!

Last but not least - our Competitors! There would be NO event without you! Thank you for continuing to support CMDA and making it the amazing quality it is!
Congratulations to everyone who got on that stage and gave it your all!!! (Sometimes just getting ON the stage is the hardest part).

(Disclaimer: if we missed someone, we are truely sorry! Please know that we are so thankful for you all!!!)

Until next year,
CMDA

20/04/2025

Another fantastic result…we hit 1000 followers!!

Welcome to those of you who are new, and THANK YOU to everyone for being on our journey!!

You WON’T want to miss what’s coming next…. 🤫

20/04/2025

🌟 Finals Results 2025 🌟

Richard Harley Memorial Award - William Connor
Kempton Family Encouragement Award - Sophie McAlevey
Fair Play Award - Harvey Connor
CMDA Most Improved Awards - Kate Moyle

Tiny Tots:
Runner up - Olivia Hantler
Winner - Hazel Evan’s

Junior Novice:
Runner up - Emery Goodwin
Winner - Taegan Evans

Junior NZ Song:
Runner up - Taegan Evans
Winner - Meila Scully

Junior Duet:
Runner up - Cuzzie Cowgirls
Winner - The Sparks

Junior Gospel:
Runner up - Erica Byars
Winner - Meila Scully

Junior Vocal Solo:
Runner up - Taegan Evans
Winner - Meila Scully

Junior Country Rock:
Runner up - Taegan Evans
Winner - Meila Scully

JUNIOR OVERALL RUNNERUP: Taegan Evans (Country Rock)
JUNIOR OVERALL WINNER: Meila Scully (Gospel)

Intermediate Novice:
Runner up - Grier Goodall
Winner - Jamie Hannagan

Intermediate Duet:
Winner - Maddison Connor

Intermediate Gospel:
Runner up - Summer McKenzie
Winner - Cailin Henderson

Intermediate NZ Song:
Runner up - Maddison Connor
Winner - Summer McKenzie

Intermediate Vocal Solo:
Runner up - Maddison Connor
Winner - Jamie Hannagan

Intermediate Country Rock:
Runner up - Summer McKenzie
Winner - Maddison Connor

INTERMEDIATE OVERALL RUNNERUP: Maddison Connor (Country Rock)

INTERMEDIATE OVERALL WINNER: Cailin Henderson (Gospel)

Rising Star Award Recording Prize Package - Meila Scully

Gospel Recording Prize Package - Cailin Henderson

Forty Plus Duet:
Runner up - Luke and Paula
Winner - KB’s

Forty Plus Gospel:
Runner up - Yvonne Munroe
Winner - Paula Connor

Forty Plus NZ Song:
Runner up - Justine Bishop
Winner - Paula Connor

Forty Plus Vocal Solo:
Runner up - Paula Connor
Winner - Justine Bishop

Forty Plus Country Rock:
Runner up - Paula Connor
Winner - Justine Bishop

FORTY PLUS OVERALL RUNNERUP: Paula Connor (NZ Song)
FORTY PLUS OVERALL WINNER: Justine Bishop (Vocal Solo)

Open Singer/Songwriter:
Runner up - Holly Muirhead
Winner (including Recordingng Prize Package) - Jacinta Kerepeti

Open Vocal Group:
Runner up - Wildflowers
Winner - The Connors

Open Vintage:
Runner up - Alyssa Landrebe
Winner - Alyssa Simpson

Senior Duet:
Runner up - Harmony
Winner - Southern Sounds

Senior Novice:
Runner up - Sam Elliott
Winner - Lexi Sandford

Senior Gospel:
Runner up - Alyssa Landrebe
Winner - Jacinta Kerepeti

Senior NZ Song:
Runner up - Alyssa Landrebe
Winner - Matt Hantler

Senior Male Vocal:
Runner up - Stephen Wilcox
Winner - Matt Hantler

Senior Female Vocal:
Runner up - Holly Muirhead
Winner - Alyssa Landrebe

Senior Country Rock:
Runner up - Jacinta Kerepeti
Winner - Matt Hantler

SENIOR OVERALL RUNNERUP: Jacinta Kerepeti (Gospel)

SENIOR OVERALL WINNER: Matt Hantler (NZ Song)

Congratulations to all contestants 🌟

20/04/2025

Tonight’s AMAZING talent kicks off at 6pm!!!
Here’s the itinerary for the show!

Good luck to all contestants 🏆