The Capital Country Music Association’s National Talent Quest will move to the first Monday and Tuesday of the festival, rather than the final weekend.

CCMA president Steve Newton said they changed the days because the second weekend had become so busy that caused many difficulties, including commitment clashes of category finalists, availability of accommodation and the lack of availability of guest artists to 

be involved with the Jamboree Spectacular.

The CCMA also found that audiences were difficult to attract during the afternoon of the biggest day of the annual celebration of Australian country music.

“This has been such a shame because the Jamboree, highlighting so much brilliant new talent, deserves to be seen by thousands,” Mr Newton said.

“We also believe the new timing will be very advantageous to National Talent Quest winners and finalists who will be able to highlight their success in our talent quest at other performances during what will now be the remainder of the festival.”

The CCMA surveyed the last two years’ entrants in the January talent quest and the feedback gained showed a change for the talent quest to Monday/Tuesday was preferred with the Jamboree on either Tuesday or Wednesday night.

The quest will run each day from 9am at St Stephen’s Church Hall in Mathews St, Tamworth, concluding with the CCMA Country Music Jamboree Spectacular, featuring category finalists and including performances by category winners with special guests on Tuesday evening, January 21, in the Tamworth Town Hall.

Entries are now open for the 48th Annual National Talent Quest at www.ccma.net.au 

Artists including Keith Urban, Felicity Urquhart and Ray Kernaghan are previous CCMA National Talent Quest winners.