Biography

Joy Adams is one of New Zealands’ best known Country Recording Artists. Blessed with a natural flair for singing, song writing and comedy, she regularly entertains at Clubs, Festivals and Showcases around N.Z. Australia and further afield.

In 1990 Joy won the Songwriters Section of the Auckland Country Music Awards and then went on to win the coveted title of NZ Country Music Association Songwriter of the Year for 1990.
Many more awards have followed, both for singing and song writing and to date, Joy has released a total of twenty one albums – most of which feature a great mix of classic country, easy listening, comedy and some of her award winning original songs.


In 2008 Joy was awarded the National Female Country Artist of the Year at a star studded event in Hamilton, NZ organised by the Pro-Am Country Music Association.

In 1993 Joy was introduced to radio and was asked to present her own show for AM1206 Community Radio in Hamilton, NZ
She spent 12 years with them focusing on the promotion of mainly NZ, Australian and Independent Artists from all around the world but adding a sprinkling of her personal favourite classic Country Artists into the mix for a lovely balance.
These shows were hugely popular and a number of very successful concerts were promoted in the district through the station.

In 2002, Joy travelled to Nashville, Tennessee where good friend and Grand Ole Opry star Ernie Ashworth invited her to appear as special guest on the Midnite Jamboree. This show is the second longest running show in the history of radio in the USA and is broadcast live over WSM Radio and via the internet.
While in Nashville she learnt that I Know You Don’t Love Me No More – the song she had released to radio on Hotdisk UK a couple of weeks prior had hit the #1 spot on the European Media Services Top 40 Charts which was a fantastic achievement.
At that time, she was the first Australasian Artist to achieve that feat.

Joy has travelled extensively over the last few years performing all around New Zealand, Australia, USA, Belgium, Germany, Denmark & Norway.
TV audiences in NZ may have seen her on Southland TV’s ‘Y’all Come’ country show broadcast on the Sky Network and she has also appeared on a number of Danish TV Shows.

After organizing a number of mini tours and events for overseas independent artists, Joy decided to set up Stagecoach Promotions Ltd in March 2004 to promote her first major tour for American Entertainer Kenny Dale throughout the North Island which was very successful.

Kenny was a huge name in NZ during the late 1970’s, early eighties with songs like ‘Bluest Heartache Of The Year, Two Hearts Tangled In Love etc… This was definitely a major highlight in her career working alongside an artist of his calibre.

Always keen to lend a hand to a good cause, Joy has helped the Stroke Foundation Waikato and the Huntly Rotary Club with their fundraising efforts by organising concerts and introducing many NZ and overseas artists to the area. The NZ Rotary Country Charity Concerts raised in excess of $40,000 for various causes.
Joy was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary of Huntly for her fundraising efforts. She was also presented with the Savemart Community Service Award from the Child Cancer Foundation in 2013 for helping raise money and awareness for them.

On the 20th September 2014, Joy launched her own Charity – StarBuddy Charitable Trust which raises money for groups, charities and organisations associated with children with special needs, disability and severe illness. St John Ambulance also receive donations from the Trust. The Trust arranges to give children special treats and the money stays in the town where the money is raised wherever possible.
Since its initial launch in 2014, the Trust has raised in excess of $33,000
Please check out www.starbuddy.org.nz or www.facebook.com/starbuddycharitabletrust

2018 – Inductee into the Tasma Roll of Honour (The Australasian Southern Cross Music Association

2020 – Lifetime Achievement Award from the NZ Country Music Association for outstanding contribution to NZ Country Music

  • 2023 – Female International Album of the Year at the ISSA Awards in Atlanta, Georgia – August 2023
  • 2023 – Best Country Voice of the Year at the Fair Play Red Carpet Awards in The Netherlands – August 2023
  • 2023 – Received Scroll of Honour at the prestigious Variety Artists Club of NZ Awards in October 2023