It's a 13-hour flight from Dehradun, India, to Tamworth.

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 cowboys" to kick off the genre in India and inspired Russel's career.

"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, from 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 past 10 months have involved lots of phone calls and co-ordination to organise the trip, Cash said.

"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.

"I grew up in a house where country music was all I heard from the day I was born; we were always encouraged."

The CMAA Academy students have a show at The Pub on January 10 at 8pm, at Wests on January 17 at 4pm, and their usual spot at the festival opening concert in Toyota Park.