Tami Neilson on CMA Awards nomination: 'A dream come true'

For a little girl who grew up watching the CMA Awards from a touring motorhome in Canada, a nomination seemed almost impossible. 

Now, after more than two decades calling New Zealand home, Tami Neilson is heading to Nashville as a finalist at Country Music's Biggest Night!

The acclaimed Kiwi country star has been nominated for the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award at the 60th CMA Awards, a moment Tami admits she never thought she'd experience.

"That;'s the sentence I never thought would be uttered in my lifetime," Tami told iHeartCountry NZ. Growing up, she watched the awards every year with her family's band in Canada and remembers her father telling her, "That's going to be you someday, sweetie."

But as the years went by, Tami believed those dreams were behind her.

"As I got older and I fell in love with a Kiwi and moved to New Zealand over 20 years ago now, I really kind of accepted that, well, I'm leaving this behind forever," she said. "So to get this news that I'd been nominated has just been... mind-blowing."

 While many artists leave New Zealand to chase success in Nashville, Tami believes moving here is one of the biggest reasons she's found her own unique voice. 

"New Zealand is the reason for the success that I have today," she said. "Kiwis have always had this real DIY attitude. If we're going to do something, we do it the way we do it and there's no one else to tell us any different."

Tami says that distance from the traditional country music industry helped shape her creativity and identity as an artist.

"I most definitely would not be the artist that I am today if I hadn't moved across the world to New Zealand," she said.

The nomination comes during an already packed trip to the United States. Tami will be touring with country star Ashley McBryde, returning to the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage for the fifth time and potentially recording new music while she's there!

She revealed the CMA ceremony almost wasn't part of the plan.

"I was already going to be there and then found out about this nomination," she said. The awards are scheduled after her original travel plans, meaning extra time away from her family. Thankfully, her children encouraged her to stay.

"They were like, 'Mum, you have to stay. You have to stay. You can't be all that way and not go.'"

For Tami, simply being recognised by the Country Music Association carries enormous significance.

"The CMAs are our country Grammys," she explained, describing the awards as one of country music's highest honours and a sign of being embraced by the global country music community.

And while she'd love to bring the trophy home, Tami already sees the nomination as a victory.

"I've already won," she said. "Whether I win or not..."

Hear our full chat with Tami Neilson above!

We're sending one Kiwi and a friend over to Nashville this November to experience the CMA Awards atmosphere for yourself! Full details here.

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Hear Tami Neilson and more of your favourite country artists on iHeartCountry NZ by using the player below.