Neon Cowgirl comes home _{by Madelaine Empson}

Tami Neilson is fresh from touring across the states with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan – which she describes as one of the most magical experiences of her life and a dream come true.

“I’ve been lucky to have Willie and his family embrace me into their ‘Tribe’ since we recorded our duet Beyond the Stars together a few years ago and he is one of the most generous and kind people I’ve had the privilege of knowing. From his band to the stage crew... everyone is a joy to work with and he sets the tone with an open arms policy.”

In July, the Canadian-born New Zealand country and soul singer-songwriter unveiled her new, rhinestone-bedazzled album.

“Neon Cowgirl represents a lifelong dream of chasing Nashville and country music”, Neilson says. “I’ve loved her my whole life, even when she breaks my heart over and over again.”

With Rolling Stone writing that on Neon Cowgirl, “Tami asserts herself as an authentic, country Calamity Jane”, Neilson says it’s “been so thrilling to watch the beautiful reviews rolling in from around the world from publications like MOJO and Rolling Stone that I grew up reading and dreaming of being in one day!”

In what will be her first time playing the new songs across the motu, Neilson and her killer band will play The Opera House on the 3^rd of October, where local company Artisan Screen Prints will be doing live printing of exclusive t-shirts.

Neilson wants to level with us. “Wellington have the best audiences in NZ and to be completely honest, kicking off a tour at The Opera House can be a bit dangerous because you all raise the bar too high for the shows that follow!”