IT'S a 13-hour flight from Dehradun, India to Tamworth.
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That's how far country artists Ricky Cash and Sharon Russel have travelled to take part in the CMAA Academy of Country Music. Where they're from, you can just about count the number of country artists on one hand.
Bobby Cash, Ricky's father, was one of the first 'Indian cowboy's' to kick off the genre in India and inspired Russel's career.
Country music is real, being an Indian from a musical family you know what your heart feels.
- Sharon Russel
"It's a very rare thing in India, I want to pursue a career and take this music from Australia to India," he said.
"Country music is real. I can play many instruments and know many genres but I am pursuing country because I know it's real in my heart."
The academy takes hopefuls from age 18 to 50 plus, and gives them the tools to make it.
Students are tutored by big names like academy director Lyn Bowtell to Kasey Chambers and The Bushwackers' Roger Corbett.
Everything from social media management to dealing with media and musicianship are taught by artists who've picked up wisdom along the way.
Tamworth's own Logan Hoswell is at the academy and hopes it will help push her toward her goals.
"Country music is something I've never been able to shake a love for," she said.
"I definitely want to work on my songwriting, I sometimes lack motivation to keep myself going and the skills - I've always been really excited to work with Kevin Bennett and Catherine Britt."
This year the Lawrie Minson scholarship went to Ricky Cash, which helped him get to Australia for the academy.
The last 10 months have involved lots of phone calls and coordination to organise the trip, Cash said.
"As it is with everything else, country music is on the rise but there's not a lot of country artists in India," he said. "It makes it a double-edged sword because there's not a huge demand for it, but there's a lot of people who do like country music and when they want you, they want you.
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The CMAA Academy students have a show at The Pub on January 10 at 8pm, Wests on January 17 at 4pm and the usual spot at the Opening Concert in Toyota Park.