It’s my favourite time of year, but it can get really busy really quickly – so you need to take in as much music and good times as you can, along with liberal doses of water in between your favourite beverage.

Grab your copy of the Official Festival Guide and your Northern Daily Leader for the latest updates and news – and let’s go.

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NORTH Coast songbird Clelia Adams is riding high into Tamworth this weekend for the Gold Medallion Media Awards, where she’s a finalist in NSW Female Artist of the Year on Radio.

We already know Clelia has long been the darling of the European airwaves, but she’s now conquered her own back yard, with The Captain and The Gypsy holding fast to the top spot in the Country Tracks Top 40 chart for the sixth consecutive week.

Seeing the latest single from her River Valley Dreaming album do what no other song of hers has – reach #1 in Australia – has really warmed Clelia’s heart.

“It just reinforces the fact that I’m doing something right after all these years,” Clelia said.

“Awards come and go, but relationships built with presenters over a long period of time are just priceless. Their support of my music on Australian country radio is just outstanding. Thank you so much. I’m really humbled.”

Clelia is hanging out with the Mad Mullum Mob for a couple of gigs next week at the EconoLodge, and she’s at the Square Man Inn for two evenings with Kathryn Jones and Adrian Davis in Cowgirl Soiree.

Clelia’s festival finale with her hot band, the River Valley Express, in Diggers’ courtyard on the final Sunday has become the catch-up spot for old friends.

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LAUGHTER is definitely the best medicine – and your ribs will be tickled silly at Tamworth Golf Club watching Four Funny Buggers.

Marco Gliori, Murray (Muz) Hartin, Alan Glover and Brad Maclean will have the place awash during their five daytime shows, Monday to Friday, January 18-22.

Rhyme-runners, word-hunters and phrase-chasers such as this fab four are rarely all seen in one place at one time due to serious health warnings.

Medical authorities suggest your heart – and possibly your stomach and facial muscles – can’t put up with that much strain all at once. 

You could laugh yourself silly listening to yarns like Turbulence, The Hypnotist, The Hog Whisperer and The Mr Whippy Van – and that’s just for starters! 

Having a belly laugh in an air-conditioned room, with cool drinks and great meals at club prices – what more could you want?

Book your $20 tickets on 6765 9393 or call into the Mahony Ave club in person. Shows do sell out quickly, so don’t muck about.

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ONE of the more interesting gigs of the 2016 festival is this Sunday at Western Ranges Motorcycles on Goonoo Goonoo Rd.

From 8.30am, the North West Harley Owners Group (HOG) members will fire up the barbie ahead of the annual Poker Run, which burbles down the road at 10am.

It’s open to owners of all makes and models of bikes – anyone keen to support a good cause, basically.

Tamworth star Ashleigh Dallas will sing the riders on their way with a couple of tunes at the barbecue before they head out and arrive back in town about 3pm.

Ash was keen to take her first ride on a bike, but she’s performing at another Ronald McDonald House fundraiser at the Longyard – Country Under the Vines.

That gig will be a little beauty, with an all-star cast, so if you’re not on two wheels, head out there.

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SOMEONE who wouldn’t miss the annual HOGS Poker Run is Wolverines drummer-vocalist John Clinton.

When I talked to John last week he was champing at the bit to climb on board a Harley-Davidson – and then swap the bike for a drumkit next week.

The Wolverines have two shows at the Longyard and another two at the Courthouse before they hit the road for home.

With one of Australia’s best country vocalists, Darcy LeYear, out front, The Wolves have been showing festival patrons how to get their groove on for close to 25 years.

John and Darcy keep pretty fine company too, with compadres Shane Nichamin and Darren Lane completing the lineup.

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LATE yesterday I got some great news. Dale Hooper, who was in Royal North Shore Hospital this week receiving skin grafts to his injured leg, is back home in Tamworth.

He’s now ready and raring to go – albeit in a wheelchair or on crutches – but it’s all systems go for this morning’s opening of Hooper’s Homestead.

It’s being officially opened at 10am by Tamworth’s singing, guitar-playing politician, Kevin Anderson.

You’ll find a variety of acts out there from 10am to 2pm from today onwards.  

It’s 6.5km along Manilla Rd on the right hand side of the road. Look for the signage.