Tamworth Country Music Festival: the Golden Gig lets country artists under 17 battle it out

"We always had music in our lives, but especially country music," she said.

"My dad inspired me to write songs. I started writing my own songs when I was eight years old."

The Golden Gig, a talent quest for people under 17 years of age in two categories, 12 and under and 13 to 17, offers winners a place in The CMAA Academy of country music, $500 cash, guitars, a Capitol Music voucher, and mentoring sessions with Golden Guitar winner Amber Lawrence.

Jack Gregory, 12, travelled 10 hours by car with his father from their farm in Staghorn Flats to live out his dream of visiting Tamworth.

The country music fan sang his own song on the stage, Big Fish, about fishing on the riverside with his father.

"I see all the big stars here, and I want to be like that one day," he said.

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The gig goes off every weekday from 10 until 2, with the talent quest starting at 11 following children's entertainment, Lindi Jane Ventriloquist and Snap Kakadu club.

The top five from each category will perform at the grand final on Saturday from 10am until half past 12. Judges include Lyn Bowtell, Amber Lawrence and Roger Corbett from The Bushwackers.

Among competitors is last year's winner Mackenzie Lee, returning to have another crack at winning gold.

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