|PIC1|With an extra 50,000 people in a city of 40,000, there's always room for something other than country music, busking, bush poetry, and line dancing.
At this year's 37th festival, free gospel concerts were held, including those provided at the Scripture Union Country Gospel Music Tent over five days of the 11-day festival.
Gospel artists included Steve Messer's Strange Country with guests, Wendy Cochrane, Terry Darmody, Bruce O'Hara, Louise Konz and Mark Moulynox, Nicky Chiswell, Jane Kellaway, Gabrielle Wilson, Rose Alexander, Pete Bebington, Doomsday Preachers, and Glen Edmonds.
Young people heard about Jesus with the help of a team fro St Thomas', North Sydney, who collaborated with Steve Thornton and a team from St Peter's, South Tamworth.
Artists came from as far afield as Mt Isa, Gippsland, and Melbourne.
The SU Country Music team, headed by Karen Barter, dispensed free refreshments with valuable help from locals, with one from distant Wagga Wagga.
Experienced sound engineer, Russy Evans, said country music could encompass anything people do, about their lives, and what they cherish.
"Gospel songs are sung in an engaging way, and carry the gospel story, which is reinforced by the words of old hymns," he said.
Quality entertainment from a variety of artists, a childrens' program, and youth nights ensured there was something for everyone and it was mostly all free.
On the first Sunday of the festival, a free gospel music breakfast was held at the Hallsville Uniting Church, six km down the road towards Manilla. Later in the day, a country Music Concert was offered at the Robert Street Church of Christ.
Well-known singer-songwriter, Nicky Chiswell appeared in concert on Thursday at St. Peter's Anglican Church, South Tamworth.
On Thursday and Friday evenings, the Salvo Country Band played outside Target in Peel Street and the Doomsday Preachers Band was heard near Westpac.
On Saturday evening, Tamworth Revival Ministries hosted an evening with the down to earth and uncommonly engaging Aliki, one of Australia's highest selling Christian artists at the Salvation Army Centre.
Sunday 25 January offered a choice of breakfast with the Salvo Country Band, the Doomsday Preachers Band at the Presbyterian Church in Mathews Street.
Gospel music has been in the country genre for many years. The late and revered Slim Dusty was known to sing a few gospel songs over the years. Among others, the well-known standard, 'The Old Rugged Cross' may be found in his discography.
Contemporary artists Carter & Carter brought their ever-popular Country Gospel Show to the Tamworth Festival and appeared at the brand-new Capitol Theatre.
Dubbed the 'Country Music Capital' of Australia, Tamworth is fondly regarded as the 'Capital of Music in the Country'.
To cap off this year's festival, an official early-morning Australia Day Service was held at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre, followed by a free breakfast.
Gospel music this year played an important part in a festival featuring over 200 artists, in over 2500 events, spread over 11 days.
Barry Blair is editor of The Link, the quarterly publication of the Anglican Diocese of Armidale, NSW, and editor of Media Monitoring Ministry enews.