Georgia Stafford, an 11-year-old country music singer/songwriter from Noosa, attended her second Tamworth Country Music Festival with three clear goals: to open for Lee Kernaghan at TRECC, compete in the Golden Gig, sponsored by Macca’s, junior talent quest and debut three newly recorded original songs while busking on Peel Street.
Georgia achieved all three and more.
In addition to opening Lee Kernaghan’s concert at TRECC, Georgia caught the attention of acclaimed country artist Taylor Moss, which then led to a collaboration with high-energy country-tech DJ Y.O.G.A (Reuben Styles of Peking Duk). Georgia was also awarded third place in the Golden Gig, sponsored by Macca’s junior talent quest, earning her a place in the festival street parade alongside multi Golden Guitar winning artist Amber Lawrence and country music greats including Troy Cassar-Daley, James Johnston, The Wolfe Brothers and Max Jackson.
“Tamworth Country Music Festival really is the Boulevard of Dreams,” Georgia said. “Everyone is so kind and respectful. It feels like coming home every time.”
While Georgia appears like any other eleven-year-old; polite, smiling and a little giggly, it is her voice that stops people in their tracks.
Y.O.G.A, currently on the Cow-Tech tour, discovered Georgia while she was busking on Peel Street. “I was pretty blown away when I walked past Georgia Stafford singing on the street, the vocal maturity and the experience in her voice, it was shocking considering she is 11 years old. I was blown away and absolutely grateful that my stage was blessed with her presence shortly afterwards. I think it’s something I’d love to do again and who knows maybe one day we could try and write a song together,” Y.O.G.A said.
Taylor Moss launched a social media search to find the young busker performing her APRA-nominated song The Women Who Raised Me.
Georgia later joined Moss for a special acoustic performance on a farm outside Tamworth. “Taylor was so generous with her time,” Georgia said. “Singing together under a tree on a farm was something I’ll never forget.”
Georgia also credits Lee Kernaghan as a major influence on her growth as an artist. After first discovering her last year, Kernaghan invited Georgia to open his 2025 TRECC concert and again support him in 2026, where she performed two songs including her original Ruby the Pit Pony.
Inspired by Kernaghan’s advice to focus on original music, Georgia recorded three original songs at Airlock Studios in December, completing the session in a single 12-hour day with a live band.
With more songs written and recording plans underway, Georgia hopes to release her first album this year, continuing to build her career one performance at a time under careful guidance from her music teachers Kellie & Gavin at Hamburger Music Productions.
The 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival held from 16-25 January welcomed more than 300,000 visitors, with over 700 performers appearing across free and ticketed events. Peel Street alone hosted more than 450 buskers, while Toyota Park drew crowds of over 8,000 fans for its free concert program.
The 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival also marked the retirement of long-time Festival Manager Barry Harley OAM, whose contribution has been instrumental in the festival’s longevity. Harley will remain involved in an advisory role.
