Tami Neilson

30/05/2026

Just me and the Kings of Country Music on the red carpet 👑

Any guesses what Lynda was saying in slide 4? 😂

Thank you to my beautiful band of brothers Tom Broome, Chip Matthews, Brett Adams and Neil Watson

My fellow nominees, Country Kings Jenny Mitchell and Kaylee Bell

My Country/ Folk Whānau Nicola Mitchell, Mel Parsons, Reb Fountain, Dianne Swann and Dave Khan

To Lynda Topp, we love you so.

Dedicated to the King of Country Music Jools Topp ♥️👑

30/05/2026

When I was invited to perform at the I planned on performing one of the singles from my nominated album Neon Cowgirl. Then, I got a call from the Twins. Jools was declining rapidly and wanted a living funeral. They invited me to be part of a small group of friends speaking and singing for Jools at her ranch, an honor I will treasure and hold in my heart for the rest of my life. Afterwards, I spoke with my manager Pippa, saying I wanted to use my performance to honor the twins, asking if she could arrange a meeting to discuss it with the AMA producers Sarah and Pak. They kindly agreed saying, “Tami, it is your spot to do what you want. The stage is yours.” I enlisted my fellow Country Artist nominees Jenny Mitchell and Kaylee Bell to join me on stage because, to me, the AMAs aren’t just a celebration of whoever happens to win, but the community as a whole. We are all cheering each other on because we all know how hard the struggle is for human artists to create beautiful music in these unprescendented times. Jenny shared this gorgeous clip with me of the Twins playing the awards back in 1983 and I sent it to Pak, asking if it could be played as my intro. I also asked other Country/Folk whānau Reb Fountain, Dianne Swann, Mel Parsons, Nicola Mitchell and Dave Khan to join me and my band. I told the Twins that I was cooking up something special for them and to tune in. I couldn’t wait for Jools to see it, hoping to lift her spirits. 4 days before the awards, I got the call that Jools had left us. I was devastated, as we all still are. I asked Lynda and her manager Arani if they would like to be my guests to the awards and the AMAs kindly found a way to make space for that to happen. I think it is hard for New Zealand to see the Twins as separate people- I think it is for Lynda as well. So many of the beautiful tributes alluded to the loss of the “Topp Twins”. But, while we have lost our beloved Jools, Lynda still remains. I wanted her to feel surrounded and supported and loved. I wanted our community to remember that Lynda is still here and she needs us. Well, our community delivered. (Continued in comments…)

28/05/2026

25/05/2026

“When you have any success in this business and a door opens for you, you gotta stick your boot in that door and push it wide open so that others can come through behind you.” - Jools Topp

This is exactly what they did for me when I first arrived in NZ 20 years ago, taking me under their wings and out on tour around the country, sharing their stages countless times. They were the template, the blueprint that taught me what it looks like to let someone “Borrow My Boots”.

They were artists who didn’t fit conventional molds, but still managed to grow their own entertainment empire. They were living proof that you could bypass the male gatekeepers that typically run the music industry, build a loyal fanbase and a successful career by creating music, TV, film, books - all without a label or traditional industry hierarchy. They showed me that you don’t have to wait around for a seat at the table- you get to work and build your own damn table. Watching them operate with humility, kindness and respect every day on tour is something I wish every musician could be lucky enough to experience. It was a masterclass on how to treat people. They brought bucketloads of joy everywhere they went, alongside fierce and fearless activism. They are my feminist origin story.

Dame Lynda and Dame Jools, Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to entertainment appointed by Queen Elizabeth -the first ones to pull over on the side of the road and roll up their sleeves to help you change your blown out tyre.

I remain forever grateful. You are the touchstone that grounds me and the standard to which I will always strive.

Darling Jools, I love you so much 💔

19/05/2026

When you ask your little brother to whip up a little 30 second reel of the footage he took backstage at the Grand Ole Opry and he sends you this entire mini documentary of our lives that led to standing in that circle 😭♥️ You owe me a new tube of mascara, Todd Neilson 🥹

14/05/2026

“Believe in yourself, Tam. Walk ahead each day, keep on knocking, keep on asking, keep phoning, keep talking to people, keep emailing, keep on, keep on, keep on.

Love Dad”
2007

Filmed, Edited & Produced by Todd Neilson x Considerate Agency

Written by Laura Rogers & Tami Neilson
Produced & Mixed by Steven Schram
Mastered by Chris Chetland
Drums: Tom Broome
Bass: Chip Matthews
Lead Guitar: Brett Adams
Rhythm Guitar: Chet O’Connell
Banjo: Neil Watson
Keys: Stephanie Brown
String arrangement by Victoria Kelly

Special thanks to the Grand Ole Opry 🙏🏼♥️

14/05/2026

“Get ready for Nashville, get it all together. Practice what you’re going to say, sing and do. Nurse it and rehearse it. Take every opportunity that God gives you, walk through every door, no matter how it looks at the time. He will lead you on. But be ready, be on top of your game.” - Ron Neilson, 2007

Keep On. Tomorrow 🤍

13/05/2026

“Keep on keeping on girl. Write those songs and keep that musical blood flowing in that Red Dirt Angel of mine.”

-Ron Neilson, 2007 (in a letter to his daughter who had just moved across the world to New Zealand)

“Keep On” coming tomorrow 🤍

07/05/2026

What a privilege to chat with One by Willie and take a deep dive into our friendship, collaborations, one of my favorite Willie cuts and the gifts my kids brought to a pizza party at Willie and Annie's place! 🍕