Described by New Zealand music veteran Gray Bartlett (MBE) as "one of New Zealand's greatest-ever recording stars and vocalists", Prentice has been performing for close to four decades. In that time, she has enjoyed platinum-selling albums, a range of awards, sung for royalty and rubbed shoulders with industry giants.
"Suzanne is still far ahead of any vocalist I have heard from the current crop of so-called stars," Bartlett told the Otago Daily Times earlier this week.
"I should know - I present new artists from the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and occasionally, New Zealand, to major agents and management in the UK, US and Europe."
Prentice was just a youngster when she first took to the stage in Invercargill, where an auditorium packed with country music fans watched a 12-year-old girl strum a guitar and sing I'm Little But I'm Loud. Two years later, she released her first album and followed up with an Australasian Gold Guitar Award (not to be confused with the Gore event) at the age of 14.
Prentice's first gospel album, One Day At A Time, went on to achieve triple platinum status, while When I Dream achieved platinum status within 10 days of being released.
Named New Zealand Entertainer of the Year in 1984, Prentice has recorded television specials in New Zealand and Australia, performed before the Queen and Prince Philip at a Royal Variety Performance in Auckland, and appeared at Wembley Stadium in The International Festival of Country Music.
The 51-year-old has also been a special guest on the Grand Old Opry in Nashville and has worked with some of the biggest names in the business, including Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Roy Orbison and Emmylou Harris.
Prentice's repertoire is wider than the country genre in which she has largely made her name. She has done cabaret work, recently took the lead role in a musical tribute to Patsy Cline, and last year won the New Zealand Variety Artists Award (top female vocalist), beating Hayley Westenra and Tina Cross.
"We tend to neglect our recent history of success," Bartlett said in reference to Prentice's achievements. "I wish Suzanne all the best.
She has a great intelligence, an empathy for the ordinary Southlander and a strong ability to make positive change for her area."
Interestingly, Bartlett, too, is standing for local office - in Auckland.
