ARTISTS from Tamworth and beyond have joined forces to help drought-affected farmers and the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners with a show in the city this weekend.
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Country singer Sami is hosting eight fundraising shows for the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners, with Saturday night’s show at The Pub on Gunnedah Rd the second.
Last weekend’s show in Canberra raised $2000.
Sami will be joined by Dan Murphy, Johanna Hemara, Ryan Sampson, Jared Scott, Kyle Cartner and Band and Two Gals.
The Burrumbuttock Hay Runners have completed 11 successful hay runs since 2014 to help farmers in drought-affected areas.
Sami said the idea for the fundraising concerts came about after her mum, Janelle, was watching stories on the Hay Runners and they had just trucked the hay to Queensland.
“She thought there was something we could do to help,” she said.
“We were only thinking of doing a couple of shows, but then thought why not do them across Australia?”
The singer said she wanted to host all the shows and then have the support of other artists in each town or city she played.
“We’ve had no issues getting other artists to support it,” she said.
“Everyone’s really happy to get on board.
“As well as helping out the farmers, we are expecting to get a lot of recognition for all the artists because you don’t know who could be in the audience and there could be something really good happen out of these as well for the artists.”
Sami said she also wanted to help because she grew up on a farm and knew how hard drought was on farmers.
“We only had a small farm and we were always buying hay and it was really difficult,” she said.
“When I do outback tours, I know how dry it can get out there and it’s pretty sad the stories we hear from farmers and some have to sell up four-generation properties.
“It makes me really proud to be working alongside everyone to help our farmers.”
Sami said Burrumbuttock Hay Run organiser Brendan Farrell was grateful for the support.
“He’s so happy and we are so respectful of him. He does so much and it just shows the Aussie spirit,” she said.
“He’s very happy to have people like us doing something and raising money for him.”
As well as the entry fee, each show includes a raffle to boost fundraising.
“We have a few artworks to raffle, one from a lady in Bega and photographers,” she said.
Tickets are available from the venues or from www. facbook.com/Droughtreliefconcerts where you can also donate to the cause.
Sami is also performing shows at Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club tomorrow night and Barraba RSL on Sunday afternoon.
