The Country Music Cares Concert will feature Catherine Britt, Chad Morgan, Pixie Jenkins, the Bushwackers and more, in the town hall on Wednesday night.

They are donating their time to help raise money for Lock the Gate in its fight against coal and gas mining across Australia that it deems unsafe.

Mr Laird said the event’s message was: “You can’t eat coal and you can’t drink gas”. 

“[It will be] a blockbuster lineup of country artists, united in their opposition to the destruction of our land, water and communities through coal seam gas,” Mr Laird said.

“Country people are passionate about their land, water and communities, and this concert will send a message that we’re not about to let all of that be destroyed by coal seam gas.

“This concert brings together more than 20 renowned country artists over four hours to highlight the insanity of gas mining in 2017.”

Mr Laird said the country music industry had “overwhelming” support for farming areas facing this issue.

“Folks from the city and the country gather together every year at Tamworth, and this year they’ll hear our stories and meet our people.”

A song about the impact of coal seam gas on farming families in Queensland, O’Shea’s The Truth Walks Slowly, is up for two Golden Guitars.

nominations for the O’Shea’s and their song The Truth Walks Slowly, which tells of the devastating impacts of coal seam gas on farming families in Queensland.

“We have our fingers crossed that “The Truth Walks Slowly” makes a clean sweep to bring the issue of unconventional gas to a wider audience,” said Helen Bender from Chinchilla. Helen’s father tragically took his own life after a long battle protecting his land from coal seam gas. 

“The reality is the pain and suffering that coal seam gas brings to affected communities often falls on deaf ears and Country Music has the power to help change that. 

“The concert on Wednesday is a great way to get together and renew our strength and camaraderie as we continue to fight for our land, water and communities,” she said.