Country music singer Dan Murphy is gearing up for another round at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
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The former Gunnedah man has played at the annual festival for more than 14 years and is busy preparing his set lists for a packed 13 days.
As always, Murphy is sought after for gigs, with his key venues including South Tamworth Bowling Club, Diggers, Longyard Hotel and Wests from January 18-26.
“It’s a good year; I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
“Venues contacted me, asked my availability and have given some good time slots.
“Every year I’m very professional and I make sure I entertain and put on a good show and I’m returning the trust. I never take it for granted.”
Murphy said this year he was focused on showcasing songs from his albums.
“I’ve got a buzz happening,” he said.
“I'm looking forward to it. They’re great venues where people come to listen to the music.
“They'll buy albums, they’ll buy merch, they’ll come up and chat.”
Once again, the musician will be backed by a full band.
“I’ve pretty much got the same band for the whole festival, which is awesome,” Murphy said.
“The guys are some of the best players in Australia…The guitarist is in Tamworth, the drummer is in Blue Mountains and the bassist is in Sydney.”
I’ve got a buzz happening.
- Dan Murphy
Murphy said he there would be “no rehearsals” but he trusted the musicians “100 per cent”.
“They're doing their homework and I’m doing my homework and hope it all comes together on the day. And I know it will,” he said.
“They’re all happy-go-lucky but very professional and that’s what I like to capture on stage, and we are; it’s not an act.”
Murphy said playing with a band made it a completely different experience because of the “dynamics and the whole vibe, the energy, the depth of sound”.
“There’s no comparison,” he said.
“The energy all ebbs and flows and everyone shines and it brings everyone up to a high energy level.”
