It’s country music time!
Keep up with rolling updates of the latest Festival news, gig times and all the stuff you just can’t miss!
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
4.39pm: That’s a wrap for this country blogger. But the fun doesn’t stop here. Pop on over to our Golden Guitar rolling coverage – it’s just like being there. Maybe even a tad better than being there...okay maybe not.
4.30pm: Here’s the top ten results from the Busking Competition.
Molly Millington - Central Coast, 16 years old, won 2017 FretFest, writing songs since she was 11
Smoke Hazard - Port Macquarie, Gold Coast, New Zealand, Group has come together this year for the festival, runner-up last year
Rory Phillips - Tumut (NSW), 10 years old, just released his debut ep at this festival, and it’s his second time here
GOLDHEIST - Armidale, Melbourne, Sydney, Won people’s choice last year, new single “You Were There”
ROSHANI - Everywhere and no-where (live in van), former Tamworth local girl, play music full time and live on the road, x-factor and 60 minutes
Whistle Dixie - Newcastle, recently released 2 EP’s, formed in 2015, country, bluegrass and Americana
Vevyla - Singleton, lively upbeat folk music, roots in Scottish Highlands to the sweeping Hungarian plains
Tim Scanlan - Traralgon (VIC), Started playing guitar when he was 7, one-man band, travels the world busking all over and sharing his music
Kimberley Gold - Halls Creek, formed in 1993, first festival in Tamworth, (William Johnston from Borroloola NT originally but brought up in Hallscreek WA)
The Mason Boys - Kinglake, (VIC), Aren’t the usual country band, will shake the foundations with pure energy and excitement of modern country/rock
4.26pm: Whip it, whip it good...Don’t worry if you’ve got that old Devo song stuck in your head, there's plenty of good tunes floating around to help you clear it out.
4.22pm: I guess you could say Chad left this pair chuffed. That’s the beautiful thing about Tamworth Country Music Festival, you just never know who you’ll meet.
4.04pm: What a colourful day. Remember the Cavalcade this morning? So much has happened it seems like ages ago. Just in case you missed it click on the pic to take a trip back in time.
3.55am: Getting a little hot under the collar? Here’s a cool tune to help you chill.
3.42pm: And in other news, here are the full details about the Premier’s announcement today. While she seemed pleased to be in town to announce the funding, she was clearly keen to get out and soak up the festival vibe. Who can blame her. Scroll down to take a walk through Tamworth with Gladys.
3.25pm: Okay, okay so tonight’s the big night. The great night of golden guitars, fine food, fun and a bit of frivolity. Everyone who is anyone will be there. And although she’s not a country cat, even Dami Im has rolled into town for the night of nights.
3.12pm: ….and this
3.08pm: I don’t know why but I just had to share this one with you.
2.38pm: You ain’t seen nothing yet! If you’ve enjoyed this rolling coverage of the country music festival then you’re gonna love what we’ve got coming up tonight.
GOLDEN GUITARS: We'll be with you from 4.30pm with special awards coverage, photos and more!
2.02pm: Sitting the in the hairdressers getting ready for tonight’s Golden Guitars? Check this out while you’re relaxing.
1.55pm: In case you missed this earlier. We’ve rounded up quick videos of some of the finest buskers around. Oh and when I say around I mean it, they’re from everywhere. Enjoy.
1.16pm: And the winner of Battle of the Bands #tcmf2017 is ... the Dennis Sisters.
12.35pm: Look if you haven’t got yourself into this pic yet what are you waiting for? Don’t go home without one. It’ the perfect opener to your Festival photo album.
12.29pm: This year’s Festival was the best ever according to singer-songwriter Dan Murphy, and who could argue with Dan?
The musician and his band were playing to full houses, with gigs at eight venues including South Tamworth Bowling Club and Wests.
“In previous years, one or two gigs would be bigger and you’d have a flat spot during the week but every show I’ve done… there’s not a spare seat in the house and they stay to the end,” he said. Read all about it.
11.53am: Well you can’t say the Premier isn’t a people person. She's clearly loving the Festival vibe. She even jumped in for a pic with one of our journos while filming. Take a look around the 30 second mark.
11.09am: Couldn’t make The Cavalcade this morning? Don’t fret we’ve got stacks of pics right here. Who knows you might recognise a few of these characters.
10.35am: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces funding for additional sporting facilities.
10.04am: They breed ‘em tall in Tamworth alright.
9.30am:
EDUCATORS want to see Tamworth become a highly-sought after training location for medical and health students looking for a regional pathway.
Local health professions think Tamworth is a genuine chance at becoming a “regional training hub” for students and young medicos.
9.15am: The Tamworth Country Music Cavalcade was on this morning.
Here’s what we captured.
9am:
8.45am:
A WOMAN will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to taking part in the supply of the drug ice in Armidale.
Armidale Target Action Group (TAG) police seized 55.2g of ice in a bag during a search in a caravan park off the Waterfall Way on July 8, last year.
8.30am:
The state’s new premier is expected to touch down in Tamworth on Saturday morning to announce funding for a sporting centre of excellence.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian will make a “sporting infrastructure” announcement in the city and is also expected to visit the Tamworth CBD to take in the country music festival.
8.15am: A concert and celebrity workout on Wednesday have raised thousands of dollars for the family of Chloe Chappel, who’s fighting for her life for the second time in her three-and-a-half years.
8am: In other news,
A woman will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to taking part in the supply of the drug ice in Armidale.
Armidale Target Action Group (TAG) police seized 55.2g of ice in a bag during a search in a caravan park off the Waterfall Way on July 8, last year.
7.30am:
Toyota Stars Under the Stars was a big hit last night. Here’s a look at Troy Cassar-Daley performing.
7.15am:
She might not be country, but she’s performing in Tamworth tonight and taking it all in. Here’s what Dami Im had to say about her concert.
7am:
We’re at the tail end of the Tamworth Country Music Festival! and it all comes to ahead tonight with the Golden Guitar awards. Here’s who is up for the big ones!
What’s making headlines
Dan Murphy prepares for Tamworth Country Music Festival
Former Gunnedah musician Dan Murphy is gearing up for the Tamworth Country Music Festival, with a full line-up of gigs across the city.
Dan will arrive in Tamworth on January 19, with his first show at 6pm at the South Tamworth Bowling Club. He will play at the club three times over the nine days. Read the full story.
The three things you need to see today:
Weather report
Did you know: On average, the mercury has sat between 30 and 36 degrees for the Festival for 25 years.
What to expect today
On this day in country music …
1985: Country music artists Alabama, Willie Nelson and Anne Murray each won two American Music Awards, while Loretta Lynn took home a special Award of Merit. Other winners include: Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Rogers, and The Oak Ridge Boys.
2004: Shock'n Y'all the eighth studio album by Toby Keith was at #1 on the US Country chart. The album has been certified 4 x Platinum in the US for shipments in excess of 4 million units.