The Groovin' the Blues festival kicked off yesterday at Ben Lomond, with performances in Kingstown today and Loomberah tomorrow.

For former Armidale singer-songwriter Goldheist, it's an issue close to her heart.

"My family are on the land up here, out the east side of Armidale, and it's a pretty bad situation," she said.

"I know a lot of people going through drought and this is the worst it's been for a while."

She wrote a song, Dust, about the plight of farmers undergoing huge financial strain and sometimes unable to feed their stock.

"When I first played my song to my dad, he just cried and cried and cried," she said.

"It really touched a nerve and resonated with him."

She said the event was a "good excuse to get together and commiserate".

"Living on the land is isolating enough as is, let alone living through drought," she said.

Centacare New England North West chief executive officer Fergus Fitzsimons said the Groovin' the Blues festival was part of the government's drought assistance package, with 9000 people being reached by similar Centacare programs.

"We know what many need most is rain and water security, but we also know there are plenty of people who need some extra support, and don't necessarily want to share their worries with family and friends, who are sharing similar burdens," Mr Fitzsimons said.

Joining Goldheist on stage will be Tamworth's The Urban Chiefs, and Joe Dabron, along with Jeff Lang and Laura & The Blackjacks, at Merilba Estate Winery at Kingstown today from 4pm to 10pm, and at Loomberah Hall tomorrow from 2pm.