January is country music month in Tamworth and despite the cancellation of the music festival young musicians are making the most of what's on offer as the highly acclaimed Academy program moves online.
Academy X run by the CMAA Academy of Country Music kicks off on Saturday the 9th January for two days of online workshops with some of Australia's top country music industry professionals.
Logan Hoswell a singer-songwriter based in Tamworth said the skills and connections gained during the Academy program are invaluable.
"I cannot get enough from the stuff the Academy provides," said Ms Hoswell.
The Academy program is normally run in Tamworth for two weeks before the Tamworth Country Music Festival, but due to COVID-19 restrictions and uncertainty over border closures, organisers have taken the course online and will be hosting 75 students - three times the normal intake.
"The information, the connections and the friendships make Academy an unforgettable experience whether it's in person or online," said Ms Hoswell.
After meeting Shane Nicholson at Academy 2020 Ms Hoswell said they recorded some new music together during 2020 which will be released this year.
"This year I'm really looking forward to getting more information about how to market my own music, make my voice heard and connect with people in that way," said Ms Hoswell.
The two-day course will feature keynote presentations by country music superstars Troy Cassar-Daley, Brooke McClymont, Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, Shane Nicholson, Amber Lawrence, Fanny Lumsden and Caitlyn Shadbolt.
Group leaders and mentors for the students will include award-winning artists Lyn Bowtell, Dobe Newton, Roger Corbett, Catherine Britt, Amber Lawrence, Lachlan Bryan, Ashleigh Dallas, Kevin Bennett, David Carter, Jayne Denham and Mickey Pye and they will provide the intensive hands-on experience that has been an integral part of The Academy for so long.
The Academy has been instrumental in launching the careers of many Australian country music artists and this year's line up of tutors is offering up and coming musicians an experience like no other.