Mitchell Smith (16), who also won the intermediate vocal solo award, was one of a contingent of 16 pupils who travelled from Dunedin under the guidance of Studio A Music Tuition teacher Catherine Short.
Another of Miss Short's pupils, Jaimee Evans (12), also of Dunedin, won the junior section and the junior vocal solo award.
Miss Short said she was close to tears after the evening's results.
"I was rapt.
We were so excited just to have made the finals and I am a wee bit husky from all the woo-hooing."
Jaimee and Mitchell are both newcomers to competition singing, with their combined performances not even reaching double figures.
It was the first time at the New Zealand Gold Guitars Awards for both.
Mitchell said it was an unbelievable feeling to win the top prize.
"I was shocked."
He said he was hooked on country music after his father Peter Smith went to the United States and came home with several modern country music CDs.
Although American singer Kenny Chesney was his idol, he also credited Dunedin singer Bevan Gardiner for giving him the confidence to sing.
"Bev's great.
He's helped me so much, and I don't know if I would have won this without him."
Jaimee Evans was at the awards with her father Adrian and sister Rhiannon (15) and said she was so excited by the win she was awake until 2.30am yesterday.
"I was really happy.
It was a big surprise.
I was just happy to get into the finals."
"She sings everywhere - she's always singing," her father said.
For both winners, normal life beckons.
Otago Boys High School pupil Mitchell admitted his grades had been sliding because he had spent so much time on his singing, while Jaimee will head back to Balmacewen Intermediate.
Results were. -Junior: highest scoring Gore Country Music Club member, Jenny Mitchell (9); gospel, Brady Mercer, Waimate; junior due, Milez Between, Ashburton; vocal solo, Jaimee Evans; overall winner, Jaimee Evans.
Intermediate: Highest scoring Gore Country Music Club member, Lana MacKay; New Zealand composition, Georgie Daniell, Mosgiel; group, MacDonald Sisters, Tokanui; instrumental, Hemidemisemiquavers, Invercargill; traditional, Kylie Price, Dunedin; gospel, Katie Mason, Dunedin; duet,: Cameron and Alana, Ashburton; country rock, Lana MacKay; vocal solo, Mitchell Smith; over-all runner-up, Katie Mason; over-all winner, Mitchell Smith.
