Kim Bonnington and The Brooklyn Boys

Note - to book for this event, please email - bluegrass@xtra.co.nz before the day of the concert.

“Kim is steeped in the deep tradition of country and bluegrass, you can hear the years of singing honky tonk music every time she opens her mouth. I love this woman!” - Tami Neilson

Kim Bonnington has firmly established herself in the Wellington folk and country music scenes as the girl with the golden country voice. She is celebrated as a solo artist but also for her harmonies, where she has worked with artists including Bill Hickman, Anxiety Club, Tami Neilson, Rob Joass, Mel Parsons, The Frank Burkitt Band and with Cameron 'Dusty' Burnell as Kim and Dusty.

In her early years, Saturday nights began with a quick nap on a beanbag while her parents played gigs in the small country halls around Nelson. When awoken to join the post gig jam sessions, it was here that Kim learnt her craft and established the substantial repertoire that she draws upon today.

Reared on a solid diet of Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard and Gram Parsons, Kim’s roots are firmly planted in traditional country music, country rock of the 1970s and the neo-traditional 1980s. Through her childhood and teens she was a regular contestant in New Zealand country music awards before moving to Wellington to pursue a career in education. In 2014 as Kim and Dusty they released Live at the Bluegrass Society and in 2016 she released and toured her self-titled debut EP.

“The songs sound like ones that we’ve heard before, or definitely should have, a testament to Kim’s work with numerous bands and her ability to craft songs that sound like classics.” - Second Hand News

Kim Bonnington and The Brooklyn Boys celebrate the traditional country music that Kim grew up with and they are a vehicle to sing the songs she has known for years but never performed. Featuring dynamic acoustic instrumentation, the band have a repertoire that celebrates the best of Kim’s voice and the talents of Laurence Frangos-Rhodes (guitar), Sam Frangos-Rhodes (mandolin and fiddle) and Tommy Joass (bass).

Expect to hear the best of a brotherly blend in harmonies as Kim Bonnington and the Brooklyn Boys celebrate the traditional sound heard in the early days when the Grand Ole Opry was held in the Ryman Auditorium.

“Kim’s voice seems to have the history of classic folk and country embedded within it, something most singers could only dream of. Soulful songs stacked with integrity; meaningful and uplifting.” - Barnaby Weir

Bookings:
- accepted before the day of the show
- email bluegrass@xtra.co.nz
- include your name, phone contact and the number of tickets required
- you will receive a reply by email to confirm your booking
- there are no booking fees nor any additional fees for this event

Notes:
- door sales on the day, at the venue, from 7:50pm
- seating is general admission
- ticket includes complimentary tea and coffee
- free parking available by or near the venue
- licensed bar at venue (no BYO allowed)

Doors open at 7:20pm for those who have booked.