It’s country music time!
Day 7! And it’s Australia day!
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Keep up with rolling updates of the latest Festival news, gig times and all the stuff you just can’t miss!
7.07pm: That’s it from me for today! Enjoy the rest of your Australia Day at the Tamworth Country Music Festival everyone! – Amy.
7pm: What a day it’s been! Check out some of our favourite photos taken from day 7!
6.45pm: Look at that blue sky!
6.34pm: If you can't believe it's been 25 years since the release of the smash hit Boys from the Bush, spare a thought for Lee Kernaghan.
The country icon is gearing up for one huge party tonight in the form of an anniversary concert to celebrate a quarter of a century since one of his first of many chart toppers.
6.17pm: For those of you who didn’t catch The McClymonts’ surprise gig, here’s what you missed.
6.01pm: Look who’s back!
Remember last year’s CCMA National Talent Quest and Jamboree winner, Jasmine Atkins?
5.45pm: What a surprise! Definitely wish we were there!
5.26pm: We can’t get enough of Troy Cassar-Daley!!! Here he is at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre (TRECC) for his concert, Celebrating Australia's Great Showmen and Women.
5.15pm: Have you been over to the Family Zone yet?
5pm: We interrupt this blog to bring news of a lamington face-off going on in the Northern Daily Leader office...
4.45pm: Alec Beckett has racked up a whopping 25 consecutive years of busking at the Tamworth Country Music Festival – and he credits the event with developing him into the singer-songwriter he is today.
4.27pm: Police are praising crowd behaviour. Awesome work, Tamworth!
4.10pm: Who else caught Tori Forsyth earlier this afternoon?
3.49pm: A little rain never stopped a good gig from rocking…
Just don’t forget your umbrellas!!
3.40pm: Another great street performer at this year’s festival!
3pm: We want to know who your favourite street performer has been today. Review videos of today’s buskers in Tamworth, and vote for our favourite here.
2.15pm: Kym Hagon has been named the citizen of the year for contributions to a number of Manilla sporting and community groups. Read the full story.
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2pm: Watch Katie Brianna perform at Econo Lodge earlier this afternoon.
1.45pm: In other news, the Big Mac statue was officially unveiled in Tamworth today.
The Big Mac has been the subject of controversy in recent days, with Tamworth mayor Col Murray defending and welcoming the city's second big thing.
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1.30pm: WATCH: Talented musicians continue to wow audiences on the streets of Tamworth on day seven.
1.30pm: For the first time in the award’s history, a Barraba couple has taken out the Citizen of the Year award.
12.50pm: Attendees are loving the Tamworth Country Music Festival on day seven. Take a look through our gallery to see if you can spot any faces you recognise at the massive music event.
12.15pm: Travis Collins will perform at a gig tonight at The Albert Hotel. Earlier this week, a framed guitar signed by the star fetched $6000 in a fundraising auction for Ronald McDonald House.
12pm: A former Magistrate, Malcolm MacPherson, has been named the Tamworth Citizen of the Year for 2017. Meanwhile, in Nundle, Heath Atchison’s efforts in building a better community have been recognised after he landed the town’s top prize.
11.15am: Country icons James Blundell and Kirsty Lee Akers are set to perform at a free concert at Toyota Park on Friday night.
11am: Will Lee Kernaghan pop up and perform on Peel Street this morning? Rumours are circulating that he’ll be there from 11.15am...
10.30am: Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce addressed crowds at the 2017 Tamworth citizenship ceremony this morning.
9.45am: If you’re looking for something to do this Australia Day – we’ve put a list together of everything you need to know and more. Check it out here.
9.30am: Biomedical scientist Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Sim has been awarded 2017 Australian of the Year for his work in the treatment of spinal cord injuries.
9.15am: Today we bring you a behind the scenes look at Lindsay Butler studios.
9am: Are you tough enough to wear pink?
On Friday, the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) will be transformed in to a sea of pink, as cowboys and punters alike done their finest pink threads in support of women’s cancer.
8.45am: If you're up for a great concert with local talent tonight, check out the FREE Australia Day concert in Toyota Park.
It features the lovely Aleyce Simmonds, check out her video below.
8.30am: Several people have been charged during a shoplifting blitz by Tamworth police.
Extra officers have been patrolling in and around the Tamworth CBD and have been homing in on offenders.
8.15am: It’s Australia Day, and as far as country music is concerned, it doesn’t get more Australian than Troy Cassar-Daley.
8am: Police are warning locals to keep their Australia Day festivities on the safe side or the men and women in blue will intervene.
7.45am: And in politics, Barnaby Joyce has extended his hand to offer help to deputy premier John Barilaro. Find out what was said, here.
7.30am: Over in Gunnedah, the solicitor for a man charged after three teenagers were badly burnt in a backyard explosion says she needs more time to consider the brief because it’s a “complicated” case.
7.15am: It’s day seven of the Tamworth Country Music Festival and many people are probably sleeping in after partying through the night at many of the fantastic gigs around the city.
One of those was Shannon Noll and the Wolfe Brothers – here’s what Shannon had to say.
7am: Everything you need to know to make today your best festival day yet is here.
What’s making headlines
Australia Day: is it time for a change?
SEPTEMBER 1 could be the strongest candidate as the new date to celebrate Australia Day, as debate continues around the nation of cultural sensitivities with the January 26 national day.
Terry Fewtrell, the National Wattle Day Association president, said September 1 could be the ideal non-political date to celebrate the national holiday, linking Australia Day to the existing National Wattle Day observances. Read the full report.
The five things you need to see today:
Weather report
Did you know: In 25 years, today has been the day when the Festival has seen the most rain. Only two festivals in the past 25 have not had at least one rain event.
What to expect today
On this day in country music …
1942: Born on this day in Los Angeles, California was Dave Rowland from the country music trio Dave & Sugar. They charted 16 times on the Billboard country charts, including three #1 hits: "The Door Is Always Open", "Tear Time" and "Golden Tears".
1997: Mary Chapin Carpenter performed "Down At The Twist And Shout" with the Cajun group BeauSoleil during the pre-game show for Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans.