She has opened for Don McLean of American Pie fame and her creativity has been likened to that of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. Now Auckland’s Donna Dean has taken out the nation’s two highest honours in country music writing and recording.

Drawing on their diverse backgrounds, personal values and love for each other, High School sweethearts Alex and Glenn Donaghy of FreeDay wear their scars on their sleeves with their debut album ‘Welcome to the FreeDay’, set for release on 20 June via Pure Entertainment.

Bieber-ensnaring chanteuse, Selina Gomez, has announced the worldwide release of her 3rd studio album When The Sun Goes Down.

Christchurch-raised/Auckland and soon to be New York-based composer, musician, sound engineer and “all round great guy” Jolyon Mulholland is set to release his new album Eugene Told Me You Were Dead on June 27th.

A group of top Kiwi musicians are set to perform at the renowned Glastonbury Music Festival in June this year after impressing festival booker Malcolm Haynes.

Eminem was the big winner at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards this year, taking home the award for Top Artist, as well as a bunch of others.

As importantly, however, was Enrique Iglesias winning Top Latin Album, beating out long time adversaries Marc Anthony and Shakira.

Acclaimed record producer, and possible superhero, DJ Shadow has announced a New Zealand date for his Shadowsphere tour, coming to our shores to entertain us (and defeat our baddies) in July.

Did you watch American Idol last week? If so, you know what I’m talking about. If not, you are in for a treat.
Il Volo.

Universal Music Australasia has entered into a new sales and distribution partnership with Iva Davies for the Icehouse catalogue of recordings.

Kiwi DJ Zane Lowe has been named broadcaster of the year for the 3rd time by the Sony Radio Academy Awards in the UK on Monday.