Recording session cements friendship

Before he hit the stage in Tamworth, though, he caught up with one of his newest musical mates, visiting US artist Craig Campbell.

Craig first discovered Troy when he heard his album, Home, playing at CMC Rocks the Hunter last March, found out who the artist was and downloaded his music from iTunes.

He then asked around, met some people who worked with Troy and the two got in touch.

When Troy went to Nashville songwriting last year the two country artists got together and wrote a couple of songs. One of those, Sunshine Club, has made the festival edition of Craig Campbell’s debut self-titled album.

“As soon as I heard Troy’s voice over the sound system at CMC Rocks The Hunter, I was a fan,” Craig said.

“We hooked up later in Nashville and were instant friends and kindred souls. When the opportunity came up to record a song with Troy, I couldn’t wait.”

The pair will perform the track today at Troy’s concert.

While they were both in Tamworth, they also got together with multi-award winning director Duncan Toombs (who is a Golden Guitar finalist for three video clips this year) and shot a clip for Sunshine Club in and around the city.

Venues and areas that will feature in the clip include Smoky’s at Wests’ Diggers, Goodies’ roof top, Butterfly Kisses Cafe in Dowe St and Troy’s concert today.

In making the clip, they also had plenty of help from the volunteer golf buggy drivers who are part of the Tamworth Gold Card scheme.

“The song is about no matter what the weather is like outside, you can always come into a honky tonk or bar, or pub, and the sun is always shining,” Craig said. “It’s the Sunshine Club.”

This is the second clip Troy has made in Tamworth in the last 18 months, with Country Is also filmed in the region.

Troy has a special place in his heart for Tamworth, and the feeling is mutual, with the city being his home for a few years after he left Grafton.