Country Music Community Unites for Huge Shows

Once again, the generosity of the country music community was on display over the weekend with ticket sales and donations flowing in from across the state at the Country 4 Our Country concerts in Tamworth and Gosford. 

Country music artists, sponsors and organisers rallied together with true country spirit to support fire affected communities, raising in excess of $21,000 for The Salvation Army’s Disaster Appeal.   

The concerts were engineered by Tamworth’s Chris Watson Travel and presented by the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth to support those on the frontline following the devastating bushfires sweeping through drought affected New South Wales and Queensland. 

Chris Watson from Chris Watson Travel said, “It’s an amazing outcome for a fundraiser put together in just two weeks. The support from artists, the venues and sponsors was overwhelming and to have the community come together like this it really shows the true Australian spirit.” 

The first concert was held at the West Tamworth League Club on Friday 29 November, featuring Travis Collins, Catherine Britt, local stars Aleyce Simmonds and Ashleigh Dallas, and fireman Dan Murphy.  The crowd was also treated to surprise appearances by The Buckleys and Mickey Pye.

With a slight change in line up, the second concert drew crowds at the Central Coast Leagues Club on Sunday 1 December, with sets from Travis Collins, Catherine Britt, Ashleigh Dallas, The Buckleys and Dan Murphy, plus appearances from The Viper Creek Band and Michael Carr. 

In addition to ticket sales, money was raised through the auction of tickets to the Golden Guitar Awards, signed guitars and other generous donations from local businesses. 

Barry Harley, Event Manager at the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth said “Coordinating an event of this size takes a big team of people and to see the country music community come together like this was something to be proud of.

“We are thrilled to be able to give back to those who support our industry year in, year out.”

All contributions have been donated to The Salvation Army Disaster Appeal, which supports communities affected by the bushfires in New South Wales and Queensland. 

Country 4 Our Country was proudly supported by Chris Watson Travel, the Toyota Country Music Festival, Tamworth, Australian Community Media, City Sider Tamworth CBD Motel, West Tamworth League Club, Central Coast Leagues Club, Today’s Country 94.1 and 2TM/92.9FM.