He's the headline act at the 2020 Tamworth Country Music Festival opening concert, one of very few times fans will see Brand this year.

He's taken 12 months off to raise his eight-month-old baby girl, Pepper.

"I couldn't wait and I still can't wait for the next thing she's going to do," Brand said.

"It's been all about learning to be a dad and living my life with an extra human and I'm loving every step from nappies, sleeping, crying, being up half the night and exhausted - but it's a beautiful exhaustion."

Brand turns the big 5-0 this year. He remembers Tamworth Country Music Festival before iPhones, Instagram and streaming.

With a more casual, "cruisy" festival in mind, fans are more likely to catch Brand busking on Peel Street or watching new acts move through the ranks.

"I enjoy watching these young artists that are just fantastic because it's the same position I was in 20 years ago," he said.

"I want to go there and watch others work their butt off, it's exciting, it's really cool these new acts that are doing their thing."

There's a few young artists that have caught Brand's eye, including Jindabyne's Brad Cox, 2019 Star Maker winner Blake O'Connor, Rachael Fahim and Dog on the Tucker Box ambassador Andrew Swift.

Even though he's turning down the performance dial, Brand still has a new album on the way in March.

His latest single Speed of Life is all about slowing down and enjoying time spent with loved ones.

The album is no heartbreaker, but there's enough party songs to have listeners boot scootin', he said.

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"There's a lot of life anthems on there about how I view the world," he said.

Brand will be back on the road for his Speed of Life national tour from March.

His trademark energy will be a stable of the 12-time Golden Guitar winner's show.

"It's fantastic to be a part of the big shindig that kicks off Tamworth," he said. "It's an honour and I can't wait."

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