IT IS one of the greatest traditions of the Tamworth Country Music Festival and now entries are open to find the next star.

Registration has opened for the 2018 Toyota Landcruiser Busking Championships with the search on to find emerging country talent.

The championships are designed to celebrate and recognise the talent in Peel Street during the festival.

Registered buskers will be judged across the week with 10 finalists chosen to perform at the Best of the Buskers Concert on the final weekend of the festival where the winner and runner-up are announced. 

Stars like Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, Keith Urban and Travis Collins all started out by busking on Peel Street and have all gone onto achieve great success.

All those taking part in the 2018 Toyota Busking Championship will have a chance to share in more than $5,000 in cash and prizes  plus an opportunity to perform at The Last Roundup on Sunday, January 28 in Toyota Park, as well as a guest appearance during the Opening Concert in 2019. 

To register head to the festival’s website.

The festival will be held from January 19 to 28.