A Word From Brett visits Tamworth!

January 19th marked the beginning of the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival. Like many excited fans from across the country, I flocked to the old town out in the sticks, the brown hills ominous in the background as I crowded with my family around the Big Golden Guitar statue to get the perfect selfie. I have done this every year since 2014. Before long, we checked into our motel, and headed into town.

As we walked along Peel Street in the forty degree heat, I was struck by the buskers along the way. While there were some who I saw in previous years, it was interesting to see some newcomers. One particular busker, registered as Emmagen Rain caught my eye. This girl was lucky to be 10 years old, and had a fantastic set list of classic country songs up her sleeve, including “Hallelujah” which brought some of the audience to tears. I couldn’t help but wonder what one can achieve when they put their mind to a challenge, and utilise every tool at their disposal. As we continued on, another girl from Newcastle was due to play in Centrepoint Shopping Centre. The announcer proudly stated that she was 16, and had been writing her own music since she was 9. While most children were playing, this girl was at home writing lyrics and learning to play the guitar. I wonder, if I had started writing fantasy novels at that age, would I be a published author now? I guess it’s truly amazing what both passion and drive can achieve.

The iconic Post Office Building in Peel Street. It was only when I uploaded this image that I  realised it looks like there is a dome around it!

But what else is it down to? Luck? Talent? Family and friends in the industry? Or simply being in the right place at the right time? But, as we all know, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. What sort of sacrifices had to be made? I would like to think I had a pretty happy childhood, but what about this young girl? Does she look back on all her hard work with any regrets? With a career in country music, she’ll be set for life. But will she look back and wonder what she has missed out on as a normal kid? I suppose it’s one of those instances where you can’t have everything. I’ve often wondered about famous people. We all say how wonderful it would be to be famous. But how wonderful is it? It is impossible to go shopping without being hounded by fans, and everything you do ends up in the newspaper. I guess it’s one of those things that we’ll never really know the answer to. I just wonder whether any of these young, talented people who were discovered early in life, yearn for a childhood that they never had.

The very last performance that caught my attention, was Amber Lawrence and Travis Collins. After doing a little research, I learnt that Lawrence and Collins are both previous Golden Guitar winners, but have also released an album together called Our Backyard. Furthermore, I learnt that Collins is in fact from Cessnock, married to Rebecca Collins (nee` Ingle) who went to Cessnock High School, just four years above me. Talk about a small world!

Overall, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is a great experience to have under your belt. Like everything, I have tried to take a little something away from it. This year, I have realised how powerful music is, and how much it brings people together. To me, it is really something that thousands of individuals drive and fly many miles just for the opportunity to stand in a crowded street in the searing forty degree heat, and hear their favourite artist perform. The atmosphere is amazing, and I cannot help but leave with a smile on my face, longing for just one more day at this amazing festival.

The Toyota Star Maker Concert. Every night there is a different show at the park!

Make sure you check out the video below for a glimpse of Emmagen Rain, and Amber Lawrence and Travis Collins.

Until next time,

Xoxo Brett