The country music artist last took the stage in Tamworth before the COVID shutdown, and he's set to make his return in the country music capital at the weekend.

"Performing live is my favourite part about everything that I do in music and I think it's just the atmosphere I miss," Jurd told the Leader.

"It's the vibe from the crowd and performing songs people might not have heard before as well as some they might relate to or make them feel good."

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Despite the long pause between gigs, Jurd still found himself turning to tunes during the pandemic.

"I think I would be lost without music ... it's a universal language," he said.

Out of the darkness of the shutdown, a creation Jurd is proud of has now been released.

Changed is the country star's debut EP, and features six songs - some have been released as singles, some have been reworked and some are brand new.

"It's very eclectic and that's just my musical taste, and all the different influences come into it," he explained.

"It's been two years in the making, I generally get so busy and don't get hell of a lot of spare time so COVID has allowed me to get that out quicker than I anticipated, trying to look at the positives."

Catch Jurd at the Tamworth Services Club on Friday and Saturday, and at the North Tamworth Bowlo on Sunday. His EP Changed is available on streaming platforms.