Tamworth Country Music Festival celebrating its 40th Anniversary: Looking Forward, Looking Back

For many Australians and overseas travellers, January is about one thing, making the trek to Tamworth in Country New South Wales to enjoy the atmosphere and celebration that is the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The theme for our 40th year takes its name from a great song performed by Slim Dusty and written by Don Walker, "Looking Forward, Looking Back."

Looking back

Now in its 40th year the Festival has become one of Australia’s iconic events. Attracting visitors from far and wide with more than 600 musicians expected to entertain the crowds over the course of the 10 days.

Back in the 1940’s and 1950’s country and western music was booming through the airwaves with locally owned radio station 2TM leading the way.  Later in the 1960’s, John Minson’s ‘Hoedown’ program on radio station 2TM specialised in Australian Country Music. Soon becoming a household favourite around Australia as it was not offered by any other radio station, this program became the catalyst for the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

In 1973 local radio network and station 2TM, staged the first Country Music Awards of Australia.

As soon as the Awards were established, attention turned to creating an event, a celebration and, a festival around the Awards. Many stars of the Australian Country Music industry have been discovered and continue to ‘play’ Tamworth, forging a unique relationship between the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the artists and the Country Music industry.

See a list of all CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia winners since 1973.

Looking forward

In 2012 the Jayco Tamworth Country Music Festival will be held from Friday 20 to Sunday 29 January, incorporating Australia Day on Thursday 26 January.

All the big names in Australian country music will be out to play. It will also be your chance to witness the talent of tomorrow with premier talent quests being run to discover the next young guns in country music.

Come along and experience the fun and excitement of the 40th Anniversary of the Jayco Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Listen to Luke O'Shea's beautiful duet with Dianna Corcoran entitled New England Sky (will open in your computer's default media program).

History

Read more about The Story of Australian Country Music and The Origins of the Tamworth Festival by Tamworth Country Music Festival legend, Max Ellis.

* Source: Historical content obtained from ‘The History of Country Music’ by Max Ellis 2005 at www.historyofcountrymusic.com.au

Photo of Joy McKean (wife of the late Slim Dusty) receiving the very first Golden Guitar Award back in 1973. Photo courtesy Rural Press Events.