FACED with a logistical nightmare, organisers have pulled off the impossible for the 50th Tamworth Country Music Festival as caravans roll in and motels are packed to the rafters.
While it won't be January big, the program which kicks off tomorrow will feature 700 artists and more than 2800 events across the next seven days.
Think all the big stars and more, with a sprinkle of special milestones in between.
Troy Cassar-Daley will celebrate 50 years of friends and memories at Town Hall, Lee Kernaghan is marking the 30th anniversary of his first album The Outback Club at a huge show at TRECC, and John Williamson is bringing his big Winding Back Tour to town.
But it's not just about the party - this year's festival marks revival and renewal for the industry. It marks hope.
COVID has hit the music industry hard, but none have done it as hard as country music artists, according to festival manager Barry Harley.
"The past couple of years have been torturous to most of the industry," he said.
"We've worked very hard to make this April event a significant event and still a celebration of the previous 12 months through our 50 years of Golden Guitars, but also the launchpad for what we believe will be an opening up of restrictions and a much more rewarding future for all of the music industry, but particularly our country music industry."
A star-studded lineup is set to tear the house down at the opening concert at Toyota Park on Monday night - the first of seven free concerts each night of the festival.
Headlined by multi-Golden Guitar winner Adam Harvey, the concert will feature Kirsty Lee Akers straight from television's The Block, 2020 Toyota Star Maker Sammy White, the sweet sounds of Melanie Dyer, Vixens of Fall and newcomer Abbie Ferris.
The Welcome to Country will be performed by 2022 Star Maker finalist Loren Ryan and Len Waters.
Alt-country rocker Andrew Swift will also be singing a couple of songs at the opening show, and has plenty of new music to share.
"I'm going to be playing songs from the new album, as well as the songs that have got me to where I am today, and a couple of new ones that aren't on the album," he said.
