THE first buskers are starting to pop up on the streets of Tamworth as the city gears up for the 41st Toyota Country Music Festival, which officially starts on Friday.
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The earlybirds are in position, tuning up and belting out a few tunes to welcome visitors to town.
One of the earliest buskers is Rex Baldwin, from Gunnedah, who is camping for two weeks at the back of the Oasis Hotel at Nemingha.
“I’m playing at the Oasis, so I’ve camped at the back there,” he said.
Before he begins his Oasis gigs, he’s playing in front of Cheapa Music from 10am-1pm until tomorrow.
He won’t be busking once the festival starts, as he said he’d be too busy with his regular pub gigs.
Rex will play the Oasis Hotel on January 19, 24 and 27 in the evenings and afternoons and will do the sound for the evening artists.
He’s done his fair share of busking throughout the years, having played at the first festival with Gentleman Geoff Brown on Peel St.
Rex has only missed four festivals since then.
He’s also released his third album, Memories: Songs I Like To Sing, which he launched at The Oasis last Sunday and which he’s selling at his busking spot.
“I’ve had quite a few people coming through on the street, sitting down and having a chat, and I’ve seen some old friends and sold a few CDs,” he said.
