He’s the chairman of the Tamworth Country Music Stakeholders Group these days, and offers this commentary on the 44th event just gone.

“The dust and mud has settled on what has surely been one of the best festivals in recent years. Generally, it seems, attendance was up, tickets and retail sales were up and, most importantly, spirits were up. This year seemed to see a resurgence of the sheer enjoyment generated by the festival – not just among the thousands of happy customers, but among the artists and industry people who make it all happen,” he said.

“There are many reasons for this surge of satisfaction, but council’s appointment of a country music manager with a lot of experience in all facets of the event, Barry Harley, has been an important factor. This has contributed to the effective running of the festival and has allowed a much smoother interface between council and all those other stakeholders who provide most of the entertainment and services people come to see and use.

“Council’s involvement has been excellent and wide-ranging, from the Golden Guitar awards, which Peter Ross produced so well, through to helping to bring the Roll of Renown back to the awards, support for the Hall of Fame, the busking, good publicity and street entertainment and management, down to the realignment of the main stage in the park. This has helped Bicentennial Park become an integrated and defined major venue, rather than just a big area with a stage – and it worked so well for artists and fans alike. The Back to the Bush concert organised by Di Lindsay and Peter Simpson was again an enormous success, providing a welcome balance to the more contemporary music, which tends to dominate the big stage.

“So many other organisations deserve acknowledgement. The CMAA is still actively involved in the awards and college, while Tamworth media, including the ABC, 2TM, The Northern Daily Leader and Tamworth Times, 88.9FM and our TV stations, is hugely supportive. Another major player that contributes so much to the festival is Fairfax Rural Events. Under general manager Kate Nugent and CM manager Cheryl Byrnes, the small but energetic team provides such vital visitor services as the comprehensive festival Official Guide and app and Capital News, as well as organising Festival FM radio, the iconic Toyota Star Maker Quest and many other activities. 

“The Australian Country Music Foundation, under the leadership of Eric Scott, made a significant contribution this year with the opening of the fine, new Hall of Fame in the former tourist information centre. Lorraine Pfitzner’s unveiling of a new bronze bust of Jimmy Little in the park was also a highlight, as was the CCMA’s 50th anniversary. A visit from the legendary John Minson (2TM’s Mr Hoedown) and wife Ann was a personal high point for me and other old timers. Sponsors, organisations and individual entrepreneurs (including artist manager Dan Biddle) have worked so hard to support this resurgence we are seeing in the country music scene.

“Congratulations to all who have contributed to reinvigorating our world-class event. Long may it continue to bring so much enjoyment and satisfaction to so many people.”