Tamworth Country Music Festival are on the hunt for the next busking superstar
The 47th Toyota Country Music Festival in Tamworth today opens registrations for the Toyota Country Music Busking Championships.
Each year, 400 buskers flock to Peel Street aka Tamworth’s “Boulevard of Dreams” to showcase their talents.
They are supported by visitors looking to find the next big thing.
Many of today’s biggest country acts – including Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan and Troy Cassar-Daley – got their start busking at the festival.
“Busking on Peel Street has been the first public performance for many of our current recording artists and it continues to be a major feature of the Tamworth festival,” notes Kernaghan, the festival’s 2019 ambassador.
“I love the interaction between the audience and the busker.
“If you can hold a crowd on Peel Street then you have made a big step in the right direction if you’re looking for a career in country music.”
As festival general manager Barry Harley says, “There’s more up for grabs than the best piece of pavement and a guitar case full of change.”
The championships offer 10 finalists the opportunity to perform at the Best of the Buskers concert on the final Sunday of the festival.
There is also the chance to win a share in over $5,000 in cash and prizes, plus an opportunity for a guest appearance during the Opening Concert in 2020.
Buskers must be registered to participate, which can be done online here.
The festival is held from Friday January 18 to Sunday 27, with the Toyota Golden Guitar awards on January 26 at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre.
The Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.