Ginny Peters


After two decades of limited success on five New Zealand record labels, singer-songwriter Ginny Peters found herself in Los Angeles in 1984 discussing a recording project with Cliffie Stone, a Californian country music entrepreneur.

Stone, a musician, producer, music publisher and media personality, had decided he wanted to work with Peters after hearing a tape of her songs. He outlined his plans and the pair set up a second meeting to discuss details. But when Peters phoned Stone on the eve of that meeting, he said he was too busy to see her. Disappointed, Peters returned to Auckland.

Footprints Over My Heart, by Ginny Peters, performed by Carylann (2021)
Ginny Peters on the Allied label, 1966. A-side 'Puppett' is her own song, the B-side is Harlan Howard's 'Busted', made famous by Ray Charles.
A gathering of some of the artists on Playback Records’ roster. At back, from left: John Hartley, Ginny Peters, Jimmy C Newman, and Juanita Rose. In front: Jim Pierce, Margo Smith, and Jack Gale.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
The Auckland Star reports that CBS in the United States has taken an option on recording by Te Atatu singer Ginny Peters, c. 1974. 
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters signs a contract with US music man Cliffie Stone, 1985.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters – One More Time (E-Volve Records, 1972) 
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters announces the release of 'Reflections in My Baby's Eyes' - 55 years after her songwriting and recording debut, c. 2015.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
"Sending country music to Memphis is like sending coals to Newcastle" - Lew Pryme reports that Ginny Peters has been signed to E-Volve Records of Memphis, c. 1972. Peters is pictured at home in Glen Eden, Auckland with her children.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters in a publicity photo.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters leaves her imprint at the New Zealand Hands of Fame, Gore, 2019.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters (centre) performs for the National Traditional Country Music Association, Missouri Valley, Iowa, September 2007.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
E-Volve Records of Memphis, Tennessee, announce the signing of Ginny Peters, and the release of her first single on the label, Love Won't Come Easy, 1972. 
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters in NZ Truth, 1972.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters - call sheet for NZBC TV music show Happen Inn, 1972.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters - a fan letter from Memphis, where she was signed to E-Volve Records. 
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters with her 1989 album Bluebirds Over the Mountain.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters, 1972. 
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters - the story of the song 'I Only See You'.
The "Happening World" section of an Auckland newspaper reports on "singing housewife" Ginny Peters' signing to E-Volve Records in Memphis, 1972. 
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters performing at the National Traditional Country Music Association show, Avoca, Iowa, 1984.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters and US music man Cliffie Stone, from a 1991 clipping. Peters had just contributed to Stone's book 'Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Songwriting But Didn't Know who to Ask'. 
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters – gospel award
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Gospel great Martha Carson (left) and Ginny Peters (right) flank Slim Whitman producer Scotty Turner. 
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters flanked by (left) US music man Cliffie Stone and Canadian artist Ramsey Royce, mid-1980s. Royce recorded Peters' song 'I Only See You'. 
Photo credit: Ginny Peters Collection
Ginny Peters, c. 2015.
Photo credit: Ginny Peters
Labels:

Allied International


E-Volve


Viking


Zodiac


Innovation


Epic


RCA


Playback Records

Trivia:

Ginny Peters was inducted into the New Zealand Country Music Hall of Fame in Manaia on 13 January 2008.

Strangely enough, Ginny Peters never appeared on any of the NZ country music TV shows of the 60s through to the 80s, but she did appear on Happen Inn in 1972 and a couple of Wellington shows including Town and Around.

Three artists have recorded complete albums of Ginny Peters songs: Reg McTaggart, Shavonne, and French-Canadian duo Jacky and Manon.

In 2009 Ginny Peters was awarded the New Christian Music Radio Mike Award by the UK Christian Music Alliance.

New Zealand singer Noel Parlane is one of over 150 artists who have recorded Ginny Peters’ songs. He included ‘Learn as You Go Kind of Life’ on his final album, Everybody’s Here.

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