There’s almost 600 official acts this year and that doesn’t include all the talent quest entrants, musicians and more than 350 buskers to take to the city streets and more than 120 official music venues.

The city’s population swells to over double the size as droves of visitors make their way to Tamworth and fill accommodation venues and camping grounds.

Barry K Chandler and his wife of 50 years, Lin Chandler, have trucked down from Queensland to the country music capital for 26 years.

The Proston couple – who perform a Johnny Cash tribute show across the west – have pulled their 40-year-old Bedford bus, aptly named the Rambling Homestead, in to the same Riverside camping site for the best part of two decades.

“It truly is the love of Tamworth, love of country music and the people you meet (that keeps us coming back),” Mr Chandler said.

The dynamic duo are among the 5000 people expected to pitch tents and unhitch vans at the makeshift camping ground at Riverside Oval for the 10-day festival.

The 1500-site reserve was officially opened on Thursday, but four days out from the festival, and visitors from all corners of the country are rolling in and setting up camp.

The Chandlers are revered as Riverside royalty – and it’s that sense of community that sticks with them.

“It’d be like cutting an arm off if we didn’t come to Tamworth,” Mrs Chandler said.

Among the country music stars at this year’s festival are The McClymonts, who return to Tamworth on Wednesday playing at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre.

In addition to playing their best-loved hits, the girls will be premiering songs from their forthcoming new studio album for the first time live.

“Tamworth is like a second home for us and we’re ready to kick it up at the TRECC on Australia Day eve,” Mollie McClymont said.

On Wednesday night, one of the best attended events of the week will take place in Bicentennial Park, with the Back To The Bush’ concert, featuring 30 bush ballad artists.

Tamworth Regional Council Manager Events Barry Harley said he was excited that bush ballads would appear in the 2017 Toyota Country Music Festival, more prominently than ever before.

“We expect this to be a very popular event, so be sure to get down to Toyota Park early,” Barry said.

“The festival is unique in that it celebrates the new wave of talent coming through in many genres, but also stays true to its beginnings.

“Many relate to bush ballads as they were the beginning of the country music industry and we ensure that we pay tribute to this important style of music.

“In addition to the concert at Toyota Park, there are several venues around Tamworth dedicated to the delivery of bush ballads including the Bush Balladeers Homestead, Oasis Hotel and many others.”

2016 Roll of Renown inductee Graeme Connors will return to the Tamworth Town Hall stage on Friday with a brand new show ‘Modern Histories’, focusing on his much loved and renowned story songs.

On Saturday night, the biggest event of the festival, the 2017 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, will be hosted by multi- Golden Guitar Award winners, Adam Harvey and Felicity Urquhart at Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre.

The awards will celebrate the best of Australian country music in 2016 and take a look at some of the new music to hit the charts in 2017.

The Golden Guitars, which started in 1973, are the nation’s longest running music awards and play a vital role in developing and promoting Australian country music talent.

“The 45th Annual Toyota Golden Guitar Awards show promises audiences a night of non-stop entertainment with an exceptional line-up of Australia’s favourite country music stars combined with some of the country’s most amazing new talent,” Awards Director Peter Ross said.

Mr Ross said fans are sure to be captivated right from the start.

Travis Collins has received an outstanding six golden guitar finalist nominations for categories including, Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Sara Storer is a finalist in five categories including Bush Ballad of the year and female artist of the year.

At the announcement of the awards finalists in October, Chairman of the Country Music Association of Australia, Dobe Newton paid tribute to nominated artists and described next year's mix of finalists as diverse.

“The Finalists for the 2017 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards are a great mix of new faces and favourite country music artists,” Mr Newton said.

"Whilst it's always good to see some familiar faces, the finalist’s announcement for 2017 has really opened up opportunities for our emerging artists and sets the stage for a very special evening in Tamworth on January 28 when the winners are announced.”

With stellar individual careers and multiple Golden Guitar Awards between them, Kevin Bennett, Lyn Bowtell and Felicity Urquhart are a powerhouse combination and their self-titled album Bennett, Bowtell & Urquhart has also been nominated for five awards.  

The trio are hot contenders for alternate country album.