The inspiration behind the Get Out Of Your Garage (GOOYG) stage was to offer a platform for original artists to perform their music to an audience in a festival setting says Bobby Jack’s Festival music curator Hugh Cook.
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“It’s basically a glorified ‘open mic’ stage,” he said.
“Artists will have the opportunity to perform a 20-minute set.”
The GOOYG stage will be running during the main stage breaks, and Mr Cook says there are two reasons for that.
“Number one is so we can have continuous entertainment throughout the day and number two is to maximise exposure for the performers,” he said.
“I would have loved this concept when I was a kid, dreaming of being a rock star - so I’m basically doing this for a younger me.”
Applications to perform were made online and were open to anyone of any age playing any music genre – as long as it is original.
Performers confirmed to date range from teenagers through to pensioners from across the New England region.
Alyce and Heath Forsyth are an Armidale husband and wife duo who describe their music as folk or alternative country.
Originally from the Northern Territory, Alyce went to high school in Armidale and Heath grew up in Armidale but spent time living in Melbourne.
Heath writes lyrics and Alyce writes music but both have been writing,singing and playing for years. They have performed their music to an audience before but only locally and only on a small scale.
“We have only really begun composing entire songs together within the past two years but already have dozens that are completed or near completion,” said Alyce.
“It's been a fun process and as we play mostly original material we saw this as a good opportunity to showcase our songs.”
Lionel Solomon grew up surrounded by the water in Woy Woy but holidayed with his grandparents in New England and in the North West.
“Places like Tamworth, Nundle and up here in Aniwan country,” said Lionel.
“I’m a proud Wiradjuri and Irish cross man living in Uralla. I've been singing for as long as I can remember.” I
Lionel got his first guitar at 12 years-old and by 13 he was having vocal training, encouraged by his grandfather.
“Over my lifetime I've been writing Australian life songs, a cross between Aussie folk and country, inspired by such artists as Paul Kelly, Graeme Connors and Archie Roach,” Lionel said
“I've played at parties, country music festivals, weddings, funerals, round campfires, at pubs, clubs and for friends and family and cultural events.”
Lionel says part of his motivation to play the GOOYG stage at the festival is to be discovered.
“I would dearly love to record my albums if I could find a sponsor or a recording studio willing to produce them,” he said.
Teenager Shaun Davies is originally from the Hunter Valley but moved with his mum to Tamworth at the age of nine.
“Growing up, I was introduced to many genres and styles of music because my father was into classic bands such 'Credence Clear Water Revival' and 'Australian Crawl' along with songwriters such as Bob Dylan and Paul Kelly and my mother was into anything with a country background,” Shaun said.
“When it comes to describing my music, it’s very heartfelt and raw as I write during times when things aren't going so great such as break-ups, depression and losing people I hold dear to me.”
Shaun picked up his first guitar at the age of eight when his mum gave it to him for his birthday.
“My uncle plays guitar and taught me my first three simple chords and I then taught myself from there,” he said.
“Before I ever wrote my first song I did poetry competitions during school and I soon realised that I could bring the two things I enjoy together and write music, which to me is a powerful way of overcoming certain things I experience in my life.”
Shaun’s first live performance was at a local pub in Manilla where he attended a walk up artist night. He says it was an amazing experience which left him wanting to do it again and again.
“Since then, I have done busking during the Tamworth Country Music Festival and opened for a few bands in Tamworth,” he said.
“I wanted to do this festival as I want to prove to myself than I can achieve anything I put my heart into. Creating music in the hopes that other people can enjoy listening to it as as much as I did writing it and also relate to the stories I tell in my songs.
“I'm also looking forward to hearing my own songs being played to a big audience and finally start to get my music out for the world to hear. Its all I ever want to do.”
The Bobby Jack’s Festival will run from 11am until 11pm at the Walcha Showground on April 21.