Toyota Hats Off To Country is the mid-year festival that keeps the wheels of the city's country music industry turning in the lead up to January's Tamworth Country Music Festival, and it does not disappoint.

It had humble beginnings, as a Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) initiative, in 2000.

The first festival was held with a big main event - a homage to Australian country music's king, Slim Dusty –which saw thousands of fans pack into the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre for a tribute concert.

From there it grew to major venues across the city, and in 2013 it was handed over to a group of industry stakeholders and volunteers. Pitched as a more intimate affair, this year's festival will see more than 120 artists perform in 21 venues across the district.

Organisers say it's the biggest turnout of big name stars we've seen to date, and it's continuation is all thanks to those who have worked around the clock to bring the event to life.

From the pubs to the hotels and the DAG Sheep Station at Nundle, the 2017 festival will run over four days, from July 6 to 9. 

This year will see some big names and award winning artists including Shannon Noll, Amber Lawrence, Catherine Britt, Melinda Schneider, Shane Nicholson, Luke O'Shea and the Viper Creek Band take to the stage to perform their greatest hits and classic covers.

They'll join local artists, golden guitar winners Lawrie Minson, Jodie Crosby and Ashleigh Dallas along with Allison Forbes, Jared Scott and Sally-Anne Whitten just to name a few.

For many of them, it's a chance to get up close and personal with the local fans, without the hustle and bustle of a busy January festival schedule.

And for some it's a special place where their careers were brought to life and they began to shine as stars.

On Saturday, Amber Lawrence will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the release of her debut album The Mile with fans at Wests' League Club.

Since then she’s built a career, which has seen her become one of the brightest stars in the industry.

“I feel there are a lot of people that prefer the Hats Off experience too, because it’s a bit different and I think our show reflects that,” Lawrence said of the mid-year event.

“We really pushed to get the Love and Lies tour in at Hats Off, because you tend to come in January and that’s it,” Lawrence said.

“It’s a bit more of an acoustic story teller kind of show, rather than the big fireworks extravaganza you put on for January."

For visiting artists, Simply Bushed, coming back to Tamworth for Hats Off brings back feelings of nostalgia.

They’ll perform a show at one of their favourite venues, the Tamworth Services Club, on Saturday night.

“We find it’s more popular with the locals, you get a big local crowd,” Chris Rieger said. “Every chance we get, we come to Tamworth,” Paul Grierson said.

“We love it and it’s where we started and where Simply Bushed grew.

“Tamworth is always so special to us and we have beautiful friends here.”

Local musician Allison Forbes said the tone to Hats Off was very different to that of the January event, and a little colder too.

“It's a bit less manic than January, less stressful and a lot colder,” she said.

“I think the audiences are a little more intimate, which is quite nice.

“I'm very lucky to have my birthday fall on the Toyota Hats Off to Country weekend.

“So there will be a bit of a party happening at The Albert Hotel on Sunday.”

For the organisers, it's a chance to remind everyone else why Tamworth is known as the country music capital.

"Tamworth can hang its hat on this mid-year event, which is now into the 18th year, as it helps to solidify our country music capital tag that most Tamworthians are proud of," stakeholder and managing editor of Country Music Capital News, Cheryl Byrnes said.

"In maintaining and growing the brand of Country Music Capital of Australia, it’s important we continue to support the industry, its fans, locals, and entertainers, by continually showcasing country music throughout the year," Craig Power of The Pub group said.

"The mid-year festival, while not as big as the January festival, brings hundreds of people to town. It is uniquely positioned to gain numbers from the ever increasing tourism market that flows north over the winter season, plus taking full advantage of the school holiday period. 

"It increases turnover in many small businesses to help them through the mid year. If you look at the total numbers of entertainers and acts throughout the weekend you will find it ranks amongst the top country music festivals in Australia. 

“We have a very meaty program throughout town with multiple venues involved and are excited to be part of growing a piece of our region’s iconic brand."

But the magic doesn't only happen in Tamworth, with The DAG Sheep Station also popular among the artists and the country fans.

Golden guitar winner, John Krsulja, this week hosted an abundance of talent for the annual songwriter's retreat. He's also reported an increase in ticket sales to the weekend showcases.

"Nundle has experienced huge growth of visitors from the Hunter Region and Sydney coming to stay for the weekend for shows at The DAG and Tamworth," he said.

Tamworth Mayor Col Murray said there should be more festivals held throughout the year.

“I think it’s a fabulous addition to the suite of country music products you see around Tamworth,” he said. 

“It’s great to see that it’s enduring and it’s vibrancy has increased and we’re getting a really good roll-up of well known artists. I think a lot of genuine country fans really appreciate Hats Off because it’s not at the pace we have at TCMF time.

“It’s a very important part of our town and I’d like to see more smaller festivals here, they really add value.”

Cr Murray said he was looking forward to getting out and about over the weekend to see what musical talent was on offer. He paid tribute to the volunteers who made the event possible.

“Without volunteers you don’t have an industry, it’s as simple as that,” he said.

“They an amazing group of passionate people, and business proprietors and none the least the musicians themselves. When you put it all together you have a festival and if you take any part of that away, you don’t.”