It was the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and the venue had double booked slots for a Johnny Cash tribute band.

It didn’t look pretty, Saleh said.

“The act that was on after me was a real ensemble, they had a Johnny Cash tribute band on except someone messed up and booked two,” he told The Leader.

“They were back stage fighting about who the best Johnny Cash tribute band was.

“It was the most surreal thing.

“We tried to recreate the scene in a sketch show I was on, but you can’t re write that.”

While there might not be any tribute bands and backstage drama this weekend, Saleh will return to Tamworth on Friday night and he’s looking forward to the local crowd at Blazes Auditorium at Wests’ Leagues Club.

“The thing i enjoy the most is travelling to different parts of the country and performing comedy,” he said.

“It’s pretty much my life, there’s not much left outside of that as it takes up so much of my time.

“I’ve been to Tamworth over the years about 12 times, it’s always been good to me.”

As Saleh continues to tour around the country, the world renowned comedian said the challenge of finding new material is inspired by every day life.

“It’s everything – things I’ve experience growing up, memories and what I see on TV,” he said.

“It’s things that happen to me or I overhear comments about, you never know where it’s going to come from, so you keep the antennas up the whole time.

“It’s a relentless pursuit of jokes.” 

Following his tour, Saleh said it’s back to the drawing board.

“I get a small room and don’t advertise, it’s just my friends and people on Facebook and I try for a month to work out new material and a polished show.

“I don’t want people to come and see me while I’m still working it out, it’s painful for me and the audience,” he said.

Saleh said his Tamworth audience can expect a great show, and a polished one at that.

Tickets are available by contacting Wests’ Leagues Club or booking online via their website.