The finalists of fRETfEST’s Regional Song Competition will feature several times throughout the festival, beginning with a showcase at The Pub, Under the Sail on Wednesday January 24 where the competitions 17-year-old Tameka Kennedy will be awarded her runner up prize.

The competition’s winner Clinton Hoy, will kick off his schedule the following day from 11:45am at the Tamworth Town Hall, with a performance of some his original songs.

Australia Day will see all the competition’s finalists take to the stage to collectively help celebrate the nations day.

The competition officially comes to a close on Saturday January 27 when fRETfEST winners from past and present will get together and play a two hour set on the fanzone stage.

Competition organiser and fRETfEST founder Al Buchan said he was looking forward to the festival.

“To me it’s a great chance to showcase some rising musical stars,” Mr Buchan said.

“It’s a chance for them to start their careers and be able to say ‘I played at Tamworth’ and carry that with them.”

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For Mr Buchan the festival will also be an opportunity to not only perform on stage but behind the scenes as well.

“I will be managing the ABC radio stage on Peel Street for a couple of shifts on Monday and Tuesday,” he said.

“As well as managing I will be performing at the Tambar Springs Royal Hotel on Saturday January 20 and I’ll be a part of the Golden Oldies New Stars competition at the Tamworth Town Hall on January 21.”

The Tamworth Country Music Festival runs from January 19 to 28.