Today marks 50 weeks until Australia's most iconic music festival and longest running music awards – the Toyota Country Music Festival and the Country Music Awards of Australia, the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards - celebrate 50 years of country music and Tamworth Regional Council is pleased to unveil some initial plans for the 50th-anniversary celebrations.

Over the next 50 weeks, Council intends to launch and promote different activations, all designed to provide opportunities for the industry and fans alike to celebrate the Festival's 50-year history and legacy and cement Tamworth’s position as the home of country music in Australia.   

Having been involved with the Festival for 48 of its 50 years, Mr. Barry Harley, Toyota Country Music Festival Manager, says, "there's a lot to celebrate."

"We want to make sure we celebrate the music, the artists, and the fans.  As well as celebrate the past, present, and future.  We want to celebrate the memories, the Tamworth country music journey, and we want to celebrate Tamworth where it all began for country musicians and fans back in 1973."

Tamworth Regional Council has already established a 50th-anniversary working group that has been collaborating with the Country Music Association of Australia Inc and major sponsors to start compiling concepts for the 50th event in January 2022.  

"Some of the activations we have confirmed so far include producing a celebratory 5CD album, a commemorative book, commemorative medallions, souvenirs, and merchandise.  We have also been working with the Royal Australian Mint to have a 50th anniversary 50 cent coin minted," said Mr. Harley.  

When it comes to what visitors to Tamworth can expect, Mr Harley confirms that the 2022 festival will continue to bring together more than 700 artists, including some of the biggest names and emerging talent in Australian country music.  Venues across the region will also continue to host artists and events, and music fans can expect current artists, unique collaborations and tribute performances breathing new life into some of country music's iconic moments.

"While the concerts will primarily be contemporary talent, legacy acts will be represented and honoured," said Mr Harley.  

Some of the other events in the pipeline include a significant headline act or musical event that reflects 50 years by showcasing the best songs from the last 50 years.  
“We are also considering some positive changes to the Cavalcade and the CBD setup, increasing our Fitzroy Street activations, curating a gallery exhibition, and inclusion of more bronze figures and plaques," added Mr. Harley.

Alongside the initial plans for the 50th Festival, Tamworth Regional Council has also unveiled its anniversary logo, which Communications and Marketing Manager Mrs. Karlee Cole explains is an evolution of the existing brand with an injection of colour and vitality which represents all the Tamworth has to offer.

“The 50th anniversary logo depicts a wealth of positive traits about Tamworth and the Festival including its camaraderie, celebration, enjoyment, memories, and prestige.  Commemorating longevity through the design of an anniversary logo allows us to easily communicate all of these positive attributes in a single moment,” says Mrs Cole.  

The 50th Anniversary of the Tamworth Country Music Festival will be held from 14 – 23 January 2022 with the 50th Country Music Awards of Australia, the Golden Guitar Awards held on Saturday 22 January 2022.  Additional details will be released over the next 50 weeks, including key events and ticket information, as well as sponsors and not-for-profit partners. 

Stay up to date on the official Tamworth Country Music Festival 50th Anniversary at www.tcmf.com.au, TCMF Facebook and TCMF Instagram.