A life size bronze statue of legendary country musician, John Williamson, will be unveiled as part of the 50th Tamworth Country Music Festival and Golden Guitar Awards in January 2022.
The statue will be the fourth of its kind, joining country legends Smoky Dawson, Slim Dusty and Joy McKean as major attractions in Tamworth’s Central Business District.
Tamworth Mayor Col Murray is chairman of the local committee driving the project. Mr Murray said the statue will signify the resurgence of the famous music festival.
“The honouring of one of Australia's most famous and well-loved singer-songwriters reflects the importance Tamworth places on acknowledging, through Australian country music, the rich and colourful heritage of our land and its people.
“Over the past 50 years John Williamson has also made a massive contribution to Australian Country Music, Tamworth, and its renowned Festival. Country Music Capital salutes John Williamson”, said Mayor Murray.
The fundraising campaign aims to reach a target of $99,000, which has been launched on GoFundMe and organised by the local committee.
John Williamson, well known for his songs True Blue and Old Man Emu, he has won 27 Golden Guitars, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1992.
Mr Williamson was unable to be in Tamworth for the announcement of his immortal statue, however he wrote in, honouring the gesture.
“To be cast in bronze in the streets of Tamworth... it’s pretty hard to imagine… I’m very proud that it’s in Tamworth; Tamworth’s done so much for country music, done a lot for me, and the ones coming along. If I can be someone there, encouraging young ones, I think that’s fantastic,” John Williamson AM.
The location of the statue is yet to be revealed and fundraising has some way to go to reach the target by January 22nd 2022.