My First Tamworth

I’ve played a lot of shows in my life, but nothing quite prepares you for your first Tamworth Country Music Festival. It’s not just a festival — it’s a pilgrimage. For me, it felt like stepping into a chapter I’d been walking toward for years.

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From day one, I was all in. Busking on the streets, sharing conversations with strangers who quickly felt like friends, being surrounded by music on every corner — it filled my cup. I’ve always believed music is about connection, and Tamworth amplified that belief in the best way.

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One of my biggest highlights was playing at S. Kidman on my very first day. The team welcomed me like family — and even dressed me for the buskers final! That simple decision to show up there opened an unexpected door. After seeing me perform, Greg and the team at the Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth invited me to play at the Coal Bunker Bar. I ended up performing four incredible gigs in that intimate, stylish space — away from the noise of the street — where I could really share my originals and connect on a deeper level.

While I was there, I discovered that the Powerhouse has been one of those special places where many big names had some of their early experiences before they became stars — including Keith Urban. There was something about that realisation that felt like serendipity. Standing on that same stage, in a venue that’s quietly been part of so many journeys, reminded me that every big career starts somewhere.

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I grew up in a simple life, but a rich one. Rich in connection — to nature, to family, and to the values passed down through generations. Some of my earliest and most vivid memories are of sitting around a fire with my family, listening to stories, music and laughter carry into the night. That feeling of connection, of shared energy, has stayed with me. It’s the heartbeat of my music. When people hear me, I want them to feel something real — because that’s where it all began for me.

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I had built a reasonable profile in PNG, with incredible opportunities and audiences that shaped me as an artist. But deep down, I knew I had more to achieve. I had a vision as a kid — standing in front of a massive audience, singing my heart out — and I couldn’t ignore it. So my family and I made the decision to move to Australia. We spent every dollar we had to secure permanent residency - and it meant starting again from the ground up. Here, in the Australian music industry, I was nobody.

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So I went back to the beginning. Open mics. Busking on the streets. Saying yes to every opportunity, no matter how small. I learned quickly that sustainability in this industry doesn’t come from shortcuts or moments of luck. It comes from grit, from hard work, from determination, and from the internal values that keep you grounded and grateful. Every small gig led to another. Paid venues turned into festival invitations. Momentum started to build. Then came The Voice. Then my first Tamworth. Step by step, the path began to reveal itself.

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When I found out that the Powerhouse has been a place where many big names, like Keith Urban, also had some of their first experiences before they became stars, it felt like serendipity. A reminder that every hustle, every late night, every early morning, every kilometre travelled matters. It made me realise that busking the streets, playing open mics, taking every small gig was worth it. Saying yes was worth it. Always turning up is paying off.

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My music is driven by energy and connection. When people hear me, they don’t just listen — they feel. They feel the stories, the fire, the journey, the resilience. I know I just need to reach more people. This opportunity is another stepping stone toward that. Toward the audience I saw in my mind as a child. Toward the moment where all of this hard work, sacrifice and belief meets the people who need these songs.

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There were surreal moments throughout the week. Meeting James Blundell, who shares a connection to Papua New Guinea and Morobe Province where I grew up. Meeting my childhood hero Troy Cassar-Daley backstage after his Texas–Dubbo show — which, by the way, was like fine wine — just exceptional. And stepping onto the big stage at Toyota Park to perform one of my originals to my biggest crowd yet… that’s a feeling I’ll carry with me.

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What moved me deeply was the support from my PNG community. Many drove from surrounding areas to Tamworth just to show their love. Laikim yupla olgeta na tenkyu tru lo supportim mi. That support means more than I can express.

Tamworth also gave me confidence. I’ve never performed my originals as much as I did on those streets, and the response was overwhelming. People listened. They felt something. They stayed. That told me it’s time to release more music.

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And from that one week, huge doors have opened. I’m now recording an album under a label, working on a single with a well-known country artist, locking in a tour, and lining up major shows for 2026. Tamworth has already reaped rewards I couldn’t have imagined. I’ve even secured gigs for Tamworth 2027 — so yes, I’ll be back.

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See you along the dusty road!