Playtime Promotions - New Zealand Entertainment Agency

Toni Williams MNZM:  Vocalist - Guitar - Bass - MC

Versatile is a term liberally applied to present day entertainers but surely none can doubt that Toni  justifiably deserves this description.  When one considers the acclaim he won in both fields of pop music and his equally successful performance as ‘Sporting Life’ in Porgy and Bess, and as a member of the Howard Morrison Quartet, only then can some measure of his incredible versatility be gauged. From cabaret to concert, radio to television, opera to musicals, Toni excels. 

Many years entertaining overseas saw Toni working the Club circuit in Australia, Cabaret Shows in Manila and Singapore and frequent singing engagements in Tahiti, Noumea and the Cook Islands, his country of birth.

His list of recording successes include: Rose can I share a bed with you’ and ‘You’re the one I sing my love songs to’ both achieving GOLD status.  

Along with recognition in Gore’s famous Gold Guitars ‘Hands of Fame’  in 2007 Toni was presented with the International Star Award at the New Zealand ROCKONZ Festival and is included in the Rock Hall of Fame.  In the Queens Birthday Honours 2010, Toni was made a Member of the New Zealand Order for Services to Entertainment.

There are other successful singers in New Zealand, some with a special appeal to teenagers and some with a style that pleases older folk but no one has had Toni’s outstanding wide appeal.

Audiences enjoy and appreciate his ability to perform an impressive mix of blues, jazz, modern, rock and country. It is this talent that has won Tony thousands of admirers wherever he appears. New Zealanders share in their pride of this charming entertainer, whose warm voice and sparkling personality have made him a top recording and stage star.

Tamara Williams: Vocalist - Percussion

As a primary school teacher, her young pupils have benefited from her love of music, where her skills to teach and enjoy have played an important role.                                                                            

Singing at fundraising events and charity functions have provided her with the desire and drive to pursue a career in entertainment. 

Tamara’s voice covers a genre of music and with her charming and fun personality she has that special “wow” factor.

Larry McKay:   Guitar -  Bass - Vocalist

He has been a member of numerous bands over the years both in Christchurch and Auckland. One such band ‘Shots’ won the group and gospel sections at the Gold Guitar Awards in Gore.

Numerous residencies at Christchurch venues followed – the Sandridge Hotel, Russley Hotel, Heathcote Valley Inn, Cokers Hotel, and joining up with Peter Gillette as a Duo at the Star & Garter for over two years.

The first band he joined was with ‘The Vigilantes’ and the band reformed in 2006 to perform “Spencer Street Revisited” concerts at the Christchurch Cathedral. The following year ‘The Vigilantes’ received the prestigious ROCKONZ Southern Star Award.

Peter Gillette: Keyboard – Guitar – Vocals

Internationally successful in Australia, Hawaii & Vietnam, Peter returned to work his keyboard magic on the “That’s Country” TV series where Peter performed on every one of the 200 programs, making That’s Country one of the greatest NZTV productions ever.

He joined up with local musicians working the popular Christchurch nightspots including The Plainsman which was the home ground of entertainers such as Ray Columbus. Several national tours backing top New Zealand entertainers resulted in a highlight for Peter, when he backed Lulu on her NZ tour.

Residencies included Cokers, Star & Garter, Henry Africa’s. 1991 ushered in a period of cabaret-style combos and venues which included Twiggers. 

For four years Peter was the musical director for “The Happy Half-Hour Show”, a musical variety show on Canterbury Television.  More recently he has opened the Peter Gillette School of Music where he teaches school children the skills to play the keyboard and to enjoy music.