13 Oct 2026
Second Major Artist Announcement for Toyota 55th Tamworth Country Music Festival
Following a bumper first artist announcement in July, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is excited to announce an equally exciting second wave of artists set to perform in January.
Some of Australia’s most loved and respected country music artists will gather for one special performance during the Toyota 55th Tamworth Country Music Festival to honour country music queen, the late Dolly Parton. Amber Lawrence, Max Jackson, Melody Moko and Michael Waugh are joining the stellar line up along with previously announced artists Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Catherine Britt, Darren Coggan, Denvah, Dylan Wright, sisters Ellie and Tia Hannah, Fanny Lumsden, Felicity Urquhart& Josh Cunningham, Hayley Jensen, Kevin Bennett, Kirsty Lee Akers, Lyn Bowtell and Melinda Schneider.
Tamworth’s The Pub Group has revealed more big names including Mack Geiger, with his show officially becoming the fastest selling show ever at The Longyard Hotel and across The Pub Group.
Casey Barnes returns to Tamworth for his biggest headline show yet at the Longyard Hotel, with special guest Rachael Fahim, recently named ambassador for the Macca’s Golden Gig.
Three-times Golden Guitar winner Brad Cox is also returning to the Longyard Hotel for his biggest Tamworth performances yet. Kicking things off is an all-ages acoustic show - a special stripped-back afternoon where Brad will play acoustically, share a few stories and have a yarn with the crowd. Then, that night, he will return for an 18+ full band show.
The Longyard Hotel will also host Running in the Shadows of Fleetwood Mac as well as The Ultimate Superstars of Country Music Tribute Show.
Caitlyn Shadbolt, Piper Butcher and Sammy White are coming together for a writers in the round show at Moonshiner’s Bar, while Austin Mackay will make his highly anticipated Tamworth Country Music Festival debut at the venue.
The Buddy Knox Talent Quest, is the latest show added to Tamworth Town Hall’s program. Open to all age groups, the talent quest provides invaluable performance opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers.
Adding to the stacked Capitol Theatre program is Melissa Bajric, featuring Lindsay Waddington, with special guest Brooke Seabrook, while Jenny Mitchell (NZ) and Midnight Chicken will deliver a night of storytelling, string-band magic, and a little bit of mischief in a one-time intimate show.
The Listening Room housed inside the Tamworth Community Event Centre will roll out more incredible music, including alternative country and roots artist Hazel & The Thief, Frecko’s High Tea at High Noon, The Brendans featuring Pixie Jenkins will perform a John Williamson tribute, Side By Side featuring Chris Matthews, Jimmy McGrath and Ricki Wood, Stories & Songs with Charli Jade & Leyon Milner and Bending The Rules - A Night of Alt Country, featuring Sandy Louise and John Stokes.
The Bluebird Room will host a diverse range of performances and events including Tamworth’s You’ll Miss The Tide Productions performance of 1972, Future of Sex. Singer-songwriter Talitha Jae will present Matrescence in the Round - an intimate songwriter’s round bringing together five singer-songwriters to explore the wonderfully messy, beautiful, exhausting and completely life-changing experience of becoming a mother. Joining Talitha is Olive Mae, Tania Nichamin, Angela Easson, and Virjilla Joyce.
Also performing in the Bluebird Room; Wes Carr: The Hits – Unplugged, Michael Waugh, Brendan Radford, Two Tone Pony, New Zealand Showcase featuring Simon Thompson, Craig Adams, Isobel Stevens, Grier Goodall, Jacinta Kerepeti, Tahlia Ward, Briar Sharp, Brendon Burgess, Ben McDonald and Phil Doublet, Under Our Skies - A Showcase of Stories in Song & Verse featuring Anne Fraser, Shayne Morrison, Colin DeFries, Jason Rombouts, Tink Everett, KC La Course, Little Birds featuring
GOLDHEIST, Kay Proudlove and Kyla Belle and Tamworth Songwriters’ Association’s 50th Anniversary Concert.
Festival Executive Producer Peter Ross said ticket sales are already tracking ahead of the same time last year, with excitement continuing to build for what promises to be another outstanding festival.
“The Toyota 55th Tamworth Country Music Festival showcases a rich and diverse program of artists and events, offering something to appeal to every audience. It’s fantastic to see so many familiar favourites returning to Tamworth, alongside an exciting array of fresh talent making their mark.
“For more than five decades, Tamworth has welcomed Australia’s most celebrated country music artists while also providing an invaluable platform for emerging performers to launch and elevate their careers. That unique blend of established stars and rising talent remains at the heart of what makes this festival so special.”
Wests Entertainment Group is serving up more top class acts with a second round of artists confirmed including Jason Owen Singing John Denver and Glen Campbell, Melbourne based band Homeward launching their new album, Jack Botts, Angie Who, One of These Nights: The Eagles Experience and the Pratley Guitars Experience.
At Diggers, fans can see Nashville’s Craig Wayne Boyd, Dan Smalley and Arron Nichols in their show The Yanks Are Coming, Fingerpickers’ Showcase featuring Elias Bartholomeo, Ben Gillard and Cameron Hanger, The Wild Ones – The Songs of Kip Moore & Randy Houser, Liam Brew: ‘90s Country Party, 8 Ball Aitken and Shake It Off: The Ultimate Taylor Swift Experience featuring Emily Joy.
While The Album Show will present a series of productions including Heroes Of The Heartland – the music of Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp and Bob Seger; The Music of Creedence Clearwater Revival; The History of American Rock – The ‘60s and ‘70s; Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and the Women of the West Coast ‘70s and Queens of Cool: Stevie Nicks, The Pretenders and Sheryl Crow.
Now Nashville-based, Melanie Dyer returns to deliver her Daisies From Dirt show at The Press. Also performing at the popular basement bar is Bob Corbett & The Roo Grass Band, Double Bill | Linc Phelps and Jen Mize & The Rough N' Tumble, Great Songwriters In The Round Monday Session featuring Lyn Bowtell, Kevin Welch (USA) and Paul Wookey, Lily-Grace Grant with Harlan Goode, Gretta Ziller, Piper Rodrigues, Shanleigh Rose, Peel River Ramblers, Bluegrass Jam led by Marcus Church and Great Songwriters in The Round featuring Kris Mizzi.
Tamworth Services Club have revealed a stellar program, including Luke O’Shea, who will also join Kevin Bennett and Ashleigh Dallas for The Songhouse Sessions, Simply Bushed, Allison Forbes, Victoria McGee, Allan Caswell, Lonnie Lee, The Aussie Dolly Show, Australian Brooks and Dunn Tribute Show and The Silverline presents Honkytonk Reboot & Sue Dyson presents The Linda Ronstadt Songbook.
Joe Maguires Pub has announced two ticketed shows including Ella Langley Tribute Show presented by Jasmine Sparkes and Luke Combs Tribute Show presented by Jarred Taylor.
A number of artists have joined the stellar Toyota Park Stage lineup, already announced in July, including inaugural Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship recipient Ethan Calway who will perform atthe Opening Night Concert.
The Smith & Western Jury will perform at Americana in the Park, Golden Guitar winners Wicker Suite and Kristy Cox have joined the lineup for Bluegrass Hoedown, while Buddy Knox will appear on stage for Country Party in the Park.
The University of New England will proudly sponsor backstage in Toyota Park in 2027, and in partnership with Tamworth Country Music Festival, will present the Country Music Industry Seminars from 9am Tuesday 19 to Friday 22 January in the UNE Green Room.
Tickets are now on sale, including for the Toyota 55th Golden Guitar Awards.
The country music industry will come together on 17 November in Sydney for the announcement of the nominees for the 2027 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, the 55th Country Music Awards of Australia. The nominations reveal event will be hosted by
Melody Moko with the event taking place in ARIA week while the greater music industry is in Sydney for the ARIA Awards.
Tamworth Country Music Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
To book and find out more head to tcmf.com.au/whatson.
Stay up-to-date on the Toyota 55th Tamworth Country Music Festival website.
TCMF Facebook and TCMF Instagram.
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Media Contact: Georgia Gray – pr@tcmf.com.au – 041972778
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ABOUT TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Tamworth Country Music Festival will celebrate 55 years in 2027. It is recognised as the largest and longest live country music event in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere and sees over 300,000 people converge on Tamworth in North West NSW.
Held over ten days in January, the Festival boasts hundreds of artists and thousands of shows, including the iconic Country Music Awards of Australia, commonly known as the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, which are the only industry affiliated country music awards in Australia and the biggest celebration of Australian country music talent.
The Toyota 55th Tamworth Country Music Festival will be held from Friday 15 to Sunday 24 January 2026, and the Toyota 55th Golden Guitar Awards will be held on Saturday, 23 January 2027.
The Tamworth Country Music Festival is supported by Toyota, Destination NSW, Tamworth Regional Council, McDonald's, Joblink Plus, Kennards Hire, Tamworth Country Music Capital News, TOOHEYS and Design RV.