Raglan Country & Blues Festival

26/10/2025

26/10/2025

Hammond Gamble with The Mudsharks - travellin' on 👌

23/10/2025

🎶 Artist Spotlight – The Legendary Raglan Mudsharks

Get ready, Raglan! We are thrilled to announce the long-awaited return of the Mudsharks!! From humble beginnings - founding members Dave Maybee and Sid Limbert first struck a chord in Raglan in 1981, performing in the front bar of Clarry’s Bar - through to becoming the heartbeat of the local scene, the Mudsharks’ journey is part of Raglan’s musical DNA.

Over the decades, the Mudsharks became local legends: “Mudshark Mondays” packed the Harbour View Hotel; New Zealand names such as Midge Marsden, Gary Verberne, Neil Reynolds and Liam Ryan all dropped in. Their fame soared, helped by the 1987 TVNZ documentary Raglan By The Sea: Introducing the Legendary Raglan Mudsharks.

This year, 12 remaining Mudsharks reunite for a special show at the Harbour View Hotel on Saturday, Oct 25 - 7:30pm at the Raglan Country and Blues Festival. 🎷 Line-up includes: Dave Maybee (guitar, vocals), Sid Limbert (bass, vocals), Fred’Mo Limbert (drums) Midge Marsden (vocals, harp), Neil Reynolds (drums), Liam Ryan (keys, vocals), Peter Skandera (harp), Gary Verberne (guitar), Grant Mason (trumpet, flugelhorn), Bill Forrest (alto/tenor sax), Nigel Hirst (tenor sax), Greg Taylor (trombone), Special guest: Hammond Gamble (guitar, vocals). 🎶🎸🎤

💥 Important: This headliner show is already sold out. But don’t worry - there’s still plenty of live music action all weekend! You can still catch Dave Maybee and many more at other events across the festival (Fri, Sat & Sun) at the Raglan Country & Blues Festival 2025. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this rich history and celebrate live music in Raglan. Get your ticket before they’re all gone!

"NB: Due to declining health, Midge Marsden (vocals, harp) will unfortunately be unable to make this one !"

P.S. Check out this collection of photos, old and new!

23/10/2025

Howdy Folks 🤠🤠

We're only one day away from the biggest music and arts weekend to hit Raglan, which means it's time to announce the winners of the tickets to this weekend's Raglan Country & Blues Festival 2025!!!!

THE LUCKY WINNERS OF X2 TICKETS ARE:
Priscilla Spooner and Sharlene Still 🥳🥳
Congratulations and keep an eye out for a message in your inbox for details on how to pick up your prize.

If you haven't already purchased your tickets, don't fret folks... There's plenty of time to get your TICKETS from the HUMANITIX TICKET LINK BELOW!! 👇👇👇

The Raglan Country & Blues 3-Day Festival is a unique opportunity to enjoy & appreciate Raglan's vibrant music scene, rich heritage and stunning destination.

23/10/2025

🏘 Open Home Event with Ray White Raglan & The Dollys 🎶

Looking for your next home and some heartwarming LIVE music?
Join Julie Hanna from Ray White Raglan for a special Open Home Event this weekend — featuring live entertainment from The Dollys from 11:30am to 12:30pm!

✨ About The Dollys
This powerhouse trio are known for their captivating harmonies and deep sisterhood that shines through every performance.
Their debut single ‘Weathering The Storm’ (released August 2024) tells a story of resilience, growth, and unity — represented by the imagery of a sparrow, dove, and eagle. Their sound beautifully blends country roots with their own unique flair, connecting with audiences on a soulful, authentic level.

🎵 Expect stunning vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and a touch of country charm as The Dollys fill the space with their signature harmonies.

📍 Open Home Details
🗓 Saturday | 11:30am – 12:30pm
🏠 Open Home hosted by Julie Hanna, Ray White Raglan

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🎤 Bonus Performance!
Can’t make it Saturday? You can also catch The Dollys performing a pop-up showcase outside the Ray White Raglan office from 1pm on Sunday, the 25th or at the Raglan Country & Blues Festival

21/10/2025

🎶 When the jam stops and the real talk starts… 🎟️

“Hey… you got your ticket yet?”
“Ahhh… not yet…”
“Mate, don’t be that guy waiting for the weather — the show goes on, rain or shine!”

🔥 3 days of live music, sunshine (or maybe a little rain, but we'll be indoors listening to some of NZ's top Country & Blues talent), so don't miss out! Join the good vibes this Labour Weekend at the Raglan Country & Blues Festival .
Grab your tickets - JUST DO IT! 🫡

🎟️ Grab yours now: https://events.humanitix.com/raglan-country-and-blues-festival-tdvby735/tickets
📍 Raglan | Oct 24–26
🎵

20/10/2025

💥 WIN TICKETS! 💥
We’re giving away Double Passes to the Raglan Country & Blues Festival - 24–26 October 🎶 How to enter...

✅ TAG a mate you’d take along (each tagged comment is an entry)
✅ FOLLOW Raglan Country & Blues Festival
✅ SHARE this post to your Story or Feed for x3 extra entries!

🎟️ Prizes up for grabs:
• 2x tickets to the Songwriters Showcase (Friday)
• 2x tickets to Cooper's Run (Sunday)

Good luck! Winners announced Thursday 23rd Oct at Midday.

** Songwriters Showcase features JamesRay, Bruce Dennis, The Dollys NZ and Dave Maybee / Sunday we have The Dollys NZ in support of the Headliners Cooper's Run - New Zealand’s #1 country Duo! More info and tickets via our page.

The Raglan Country & Blues 3-Day Festival is a unique opportunity to enjoy & appreciate Raglan's vibrant music scene, rich heritage and stunning destination.

19/10/2025

🎶 Friday Songwriters Showcase – 7PM, Oct 24th | Raglan Heritage Church

Get ready for a night of stories, songs, and seriously good company - the Songwriters Showcase is bringing four incredible acts together under one roof for an intimate evening celebrating the craft of songwriting.

Catch JamesRay , Bruce Dennis , The Dollys NZ , and Dave Maybee — each with their own unique voice, history, and sound, all sharing one stage. This is your chance to see some of New Zealands most seasoned and soulful songwriters in one night.

JamesRay -
An international performer and recording artist with an armful of awards, JamesRay has shared stages with legends from Bob Dylan to Kenny Rogers. His album “Chasing the Dream” was a finalist for both Best Country Album and Best Country Song at the New Zealand Music Awards, and his tracks have been featured on Sony’s “Best of New Zealand Country Songs” alongside Bic Runga and Dave Dobbyn. Raised in the Arkansas hills and now a proud Kiwi, JamesRay’s voice carries both southern soul and NZ heart.

Bruce Dennis -
Hamilton’s own Bruce Dennis brings his roots-rich blend of country soul, R&B, and blues to the stage. Having toured and recorded with icons like Midge Marsden, Phil Manning, and Sonny Day, Bruce’s songwriting has earned him the Country Music Song of the Year for “Ain’t Gonna Run.” His music tells stories of everyday life with grit, groove, and grace — this is songwriting that feels like home.

The Dollys -
Southland’s harmony powerhouse! Maia Fletcher, Tahla Ward, and Millie Cottam combine their talents to create magic — three voices blending into one. Their debut single “Weathering The Storm” captures their journey as artists and friends, symbolising growth, resilience, and sisterhood. Expect heartfelt originals, soaring harmonies, and a performance that’ll leave you grinning.

Dave Maybee -
A Raglan local legend holding down over five decades of performance and recording under his belt, Dave’s played with everyone - from Midge Marsden to Gray Bartlett, John H**e Grenell, and Ritchie Pickett. A guitarist, composer, and storyteller, Dave’s musical journey spans jazz, country, folk, and blues. His performances are soulful, seasoned, and deeply rooted in New Zealand’s music history. Dave's playing through out the weekend but don't miss this special Friday song writer showcase performance!

✨ Join us Friday night, Oct 24th, 7PM at the Raglan Heritage Church - the perfect way to open the festival weekend.

🎟️ Round up your crew, and come experience four incredible acts sharing the stage for one unforgettable night. Tickets are really moving so grab yours now! https://tinyurl.com/raglan-country-n-blues-fest

19/10/2025

🎶 Artist Spotlight: Hammond Gamble!
We’ve kept this one a bit under wraps, but we couldn’t be happier to have NZ music Icon Hammond Gamble playing alongside the legendary Mudsharks on Saturday, 25th of October at the Raglan Country & Blues Festival 2025.

Without a doubt, one of the most distinctive Blues artists New Zealand has seen, Lancashire-born and Kiwi-made, Hammond has opened for the likes of Tina Turner, Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac, Joe Cocker and The Eagles - and his legendary group Street Talk lit up stages at Auckland’s Gluepot and Windsor Castle through the ’80s.

During the ’90s, Hammond toured extensively with Gary McCormick, Harry Lyon (Hello Sailor), Sam Hunt and other Kiwi Luminaries.

This is a rare appearance from a true NZ blues icon. Tickets are getting down to the last 50 for the Saturday 😮 Don’t miss your chance to catch Hammond live as part of an epic weekend of music right here in Raglan.

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/raglan-country-n-blues-fest

* Check out some videos and links to music, extended bios and more in the comments, and tag a friend or share this with your friends and partners.

17/10/2025

🎸 Artist Spotlight: Cooper's Run – Headlining Sunday Night!

Hold onto your hats, folks — New Zealand’s #1 country duo, Cooper’s Run, is ridin’ into Raglan this Labour Weekend for the Raglan Country & Blues Festival 2025, and they’ll be joined by their impressive band of musicians 🤠🤠🤠

This powerhouse husband-and-wife team, Ashley & Tipping, have shared the stage with legends like Lady Antebellum, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, and Scotty McCreery. They’ve toured far and wide, run three smash-hit country festivals right here in NZ, and earned standing ovations all the way to Nashville, Tennessee — the home of country music.

Ashley, a New Zealand Idol finalist, and Michael, a seasoned singer-songwriter and producer, light up every stage they touch. Expect big vocals, big energy, and that unmistakable Cooper’s Run magic that’s taken them from small-town bars to global stages.

🎶 Catch them headlining the Sunday, October 26th show at Harbour View Hotel - Raglan. Est 1866 as part of the Raglan Country & Blues Festival 2025, with support from the amazing trio band The Dollys, travelling all the way from Southland to join this unforgettable duo!

Don’t miss this chance to see these two world-class artists right here by the sea — grab your mates, get your tickets, and come stomp along with us for one unforgettable Labour Weekend.

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/raglan-country-n-blues-fest
🎥 Watch Cooper’s Run in action: see links in the comments from a few of their performances and songs.