Country Music Festival returns after Covid hiatus
THE Tamworth Country Musical Festival is returning for its 50th anniversary concert a few months later than usual in 2022, with a selection of Central West performers scheduled to take the stage. As part of the 18-24 April event, Orange’s Clancy Pye and Dubbo export Katie Jayne will face off in the Toyotastar Maker competition, with Dubbo talent Lance Birrell and Orange star Nat Mciver also doing the Central West proud at the event. Organiser Cheryl Brown said the event had to be cancelled last year due to Covid-19, and had to be postponed this year from its usual January timing for the same reason.
“Covid has had a major impact on artists, musicians, and their crew with many experiencing almost two years of very little work, therefore profits from the concert will go to Support Act, Australia’s only charity delivering crisis relief services to artists, crew, and music workers because of ill health, injury, a mental health problem, or some other crisis that impacts on their ability to work in music,” a Tamworth Country Musical Festival spokesperson said.
“The concert will document the evolution of the country’s longest running festival from its modest beginnings in 1972 into what is now the biggest festival in Australia today.
“As well as many of country music’s brightest stars, the show will feature vision and commentary about the pioneers who helped establish Tamworth as the undisputed home of Australian country music.
“This one-off event will not only showcase the best in country music, but will honour the visionaries who worked to establish a festival that created an industry that celebrates Australian artists and their music, all with a distinctive sound that has had a permanent and lasting influence on our culture.”
Some of the big names named as part of the festival line-up include Kasey Chambers, John Williamson, Troy Cassar-daley, Graeme Connors, Beccy Cole, Sara Storer, Adam Harvey, The Wolfe Brothers, Shane Nicholson, James Blundell, Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham.