Thousands have packed Bicentennial Park in Tamworth for the closing concert, signalling the end of the 2019 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
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The battle of the best buskers concert was won by Rhys Crimmin who beat nine other finalists to be crowned the 2019 Toyota busking champion.
Judges have been keeping a close eye on the boulevard of dreams, or Peel Street, over the past 10 days to select the top ten performers.
Each took to the stage in the closing concert on Sunday night, working up a sweat in the searing temperatures to wow the crowd, and the judges.
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Organsiers said Crimmin has been travelling the world since 2005 playing as a solo musician at festivals, pubs, clubs, bars and hotels.
Armed with guitars, didgeridoos, harmonicas, kazoos and foot percussion, he impressed the crowd with his unique style that he likes to call ‘Aussie Country Roots Folk Reggae & Dirty Foot Stompin’ Blues’.
The Froombsons, a collaboration of best friends Chet and Sonny French, Ivy Simpson and Jack and Reid Toombs took out second place.
It was the young group’s first busking experience and the first time they have all played together.
Terrigal’s Emma Powell took out third place as well as the People’s Choice award.
It was also the 14 year old’s first time at the festival and she’s made a name for herself, supporting other high profile artists, including Adam Harvey at the Country Turns Pink concert earlier in the festival.
As part of the winning title, Crimmin will perform at next year’s festival opening concert.
Tamworth Regional Council’s festival manager Barry Harley said the battle of the busker’s concert helped to unearth raw talent.
“For many artists, busking in Tamworth is the start their journey as a country music artist,” he said.
“It has proven to be a successful launchpad for many of today’s top artists and leads to other opportunities such as Toyota Star Maker.”
Country music names like Keith Urban, Troy Cassar-Daley and Kasey Chambers started out on the boulevard of dreams.
"Each year the Toyota Country Music Busking Championship uncovers incredible talent among the many hundreds of buskers lining Peel Street,” Toyota Chief Marketing Officer Wayne Gabriel said.