MILES from anywhere in the Hills of Gold, sweet voices ring out across the valley.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At the Dag Sheepstation, established artists and songwriters are dotted around the historic woolshed.
Those who prefer their own company find small pockets of solitude by the shearer's quarters, returning only when the wind carries the smell of roasted chicken from the mess hall.
The Dag Songwriter's Retreat is a hive of creativity, for many it's a quiet place to heal.
"Songwriting comes from many places and there's a lot of people here looking for healing," Dag Sheepstation owner John Krsulja said.
"There's a lot of people who have lost husbands, boyfriends, everyone is on a different journey.
There's a lot of people who have lost husbands, boyfriends, everyone is on a different journey.
- John Kruslja
"Music is a great place to pour emotions."
In its sixth year not much has changed, the only addition in the third year was eggs to breakfast.
The program runs during Tamworth's Hats Off to Country festival and focuses on songwriting, performance skills, creative flow and market presence.
Everyday people work side-by-side with country music's famous faces, this year Shane Nicholson, Kevin Bennett, Luke O'Shea, Felicity Urquhart, Jen Mize, Jeremy Edwards, Lyn Bowtell and Nundle's own Jeff Gibson are leading songwriters through the process.
And, Mr Krsulja said the program's popularity has grown so quickly he has had to put on a second one each year and allow for more aspiring talent to sign up.
"It's grown to where we do it twice a year and there's eight tutors and 30 songwriters here," he said.
"Linking in with Hats Off was a great way to get exposure, this event for Nundle is huge.
"A lot of Nundle is booked out with accommodation for guests coming to see the showcases, we used to sell 10 tickets and already this year 60 tickets have sold."
This year there's something extra special going on, with all the songwriters to work together to create a theme song for the sequel to High As Mike, a documentary about medical cannabis.
Read also:
Documentary film crews are headed to the Dag Sheepstation on Saturday night, along with a doctor and scientist to give the artists the brief for the theme song.
Tickets are still available to the Songwriter's Showcase on Sunday night, that will see all the songs created during the retreat performed in one night.
For more information on the Hats Off to Country Festival or to buy tickets to the Songwriter's Retreat Showcase visit destinationtamworth.com.au.