The golden anniversary of the southern hemisphere's largest music festival begins today, after a COVID-induced delay pushed it out of its regular place in the music calendar.
The 50th Tamworth Country Music Festival was due to take place in January, but was postponed as the Omicron variant ran rampant across New South Wales in the holiday period.
But the change of date has not dampened the spirits of country music fans, and organisers are confident the jubilee event will be one to remember.
"Ticket sales have picked up quite dramatically in the last couple of weeks," the festival's manager, Barry Harley, said.
The festival injects millions of dollars into the economy of the Tamworth region, much of which was lost when the 2021 festival was largely cancelled.
Mr Harley said he expected the make-up of the crowds at this year's festival to differ from the regular attendees.
"We might have a lot of first-timers who would then make it their purpose to come back in future years," he said.
But crowd numbers may be affected by the new date's coincidence with the Parkes Elvis Festival, which was also postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.
Golden opportunity
The festival has helped launch the careers of many of Australia's country music legends, including Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, and Beccy Cole.
It includes the annual Star Maker competition, which awards the winner with a full album deal among other prizes.
Newcastle-based artist Max Jackson is among the 10 finalists, and said it was "magical" to be shortlisted, and get to perform live at the grand final.
"It is probably going to be the biggest audience I've ever played to," she said.
Jackson said whatever the outcome of the competition, she is eager to return to the festival, which she has attended for many years.
The final 10 also includes Loren Ryan, a Gamilaraay woman based in Tamworth who combines her musical talent with her traditional language.
"It's overwhelming to think that we've struggled so long to preserve our language and keep it alive," she said.
"To hear it blending with beautiful music, you can't help but get emotional."
Industry excellence
Records may be broken at the 50th Golden Guitar Awards.
Nominated in nine categories, Troy Cassar-Daley could overtake the late Slim Dusty, and Lee Kernaghan, as the artist with the most golden guitars of all time.
Cassar-Daley has won 37 golden guitars, one short of both Dusty and Kernaghan on 38.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday.
