The Tamworth Country Music Festival is upon us for another glorious year.

If you, like me, wake up singing “I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps”, you’re in the right place! Oh, Tamworth – I could never tell you just what you mean to me.

Yes, you’re my hometown, but you’re so, so much more than that. You’re the big, beating heart that keeps my musical heart alive.

I will never, ever forget sitting at the old showground all those years ago at the Golden Guitar Awards, dust beneath my feet, wishing and hoping and praying that maybe one day I could be just like those artists whose music was acknowledged and appreciated.

I’m so overwhelmed, excited and honoured to this year be nominated for my fourth Golden Guitar. Win or lose on the night – I’m so grateful.

This festival, I’m really looking forward to making the most of every moment.

Every day is jam-packed, but I can’t wait to get out and discover some new music that I haven’t heard before.

I think the greatest thing about country music – and Australian country music in particular – is that there is something for everyone to love within its wonderful and wide-spreading branches.

To me, country music means real music with real emotion. There is a real lot of real music to be heard this week in Tamworth.

Anyway, best be off now. I hope you have the time of your life! 

Life is an adventure.  We never know where it’s going to lead, but we must make sure that we never let ourselves get so busy that we forget to really listen to the music.

It’s all around us. xxxx