Even before the festival started, Tamworth's Calrossy Anglican School was filled with the voices and musicianship of junior and senior CMAA Academy of Country Music students who graduated as the festival began.In the festival proper, we then witnessed Toyota Star Maker finals with 10 of the most talented new-ish artists on the country scene, CCMA National Talent Quest (which has started the careers of many of the big stars) and other talent quests across the city and beyond, including Manilla.

The things I love about this festival are the opportunities it presents for up-and-coming talent and they play a variety of country styles.

What people need to realise is that country music is a cultural artform and, therefore, it's continually evolving.

Country music is not going to stay as bush ballads or singer-songwriters, but is going to branch into country rock and country pop styles, while the bush ballads and traditional music also continues to grow.

The young talent is testament to the vibrancy of this industry and the number of young people playing traditional music and mixing our traditions with a modern twist can only be a good thing.

Tonight we wish all the Toyota Star Maker grand finalists all the best. 

Former winner Lee  Kernaghan is even coming on board this year to guide the winner on-and-off, with his role increasing next year to a 12-month mentoring role.

If anyone knows this industry it's Lee, but the winners, and all emerging talent, need to stay true to their roots and true to themselves. Don't be led by what someone else has done in the industry and think you have to mirror that. Take their mistakes and lessons and mould it to how you want to be remembered and how you want to make your own music.

Tomorrow we will honour the best in the business with the 15 Golden Guitars and many of the winners will have been through these talent quests in their early careers. Young talent, keep on keeping on.