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James Milne - Source: ONE News -
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After almost 50 years of recognising the best songs in New Zealand, APRA is finally holding its Silver Scroll awards in the South Island.
The move is being applauded by the music industry and the public alike.
Anthony Healey of APRA says it's time the awards were held in Christchurch.
"It's extraordinary that we haven't done it before now. We just think there's a great musical legacy in Christchurch," says Healey.
The Silver Scrolls are being held on Thursday night and one of the finalists, Cantabrian James Milne of Lawrence Arabia, is singing the praises of the move.
"It connects the whole sort of musical community a lot more, I think, and makes the music industry seem a lot less mystical from a place like Christchurch," says Milne.
Milne's song, Apple Pie Bed, is being performed on Thursday night by Bic Runga.
"I can't wait to see what she does with it," says Milne.
Runga says she thought it was supposed to be a surprise who was performing each other's songs.
"I've sort of been avoiding him all week," she says.
Another southern slant on the awards show is that just about every act performing on the stage is from Christchurch.
And those southern bands will put their own spin on the songs from the other four finalists: Dimmer, Jess Chambers, Phil Madsen and Midnight Youth.
Seven thousand votes have already been cast but the winner is still a closely guarded secret.
APRA Silver Scroll Awards 2009 finalists:
Dimmer - Degrees of Existence
Jess Chambers - Island
Lawrence Arabia - Apple Pie Bed
Phil Madsen - Dancing on the Moon
Midnight Youth - The Letter
