HE'S True Blue, a household name... and Australian music legend John Williamson will return to the Tamworth Country Music Festival again this year to headline the opening concert.
Williamson is no stranger to Tamworth, having won a slew of Golden Guitars across his career spanning 50 years.
He is unapologetically Australian: a trait captured in his music, which tells stories about national identity and Australian ways of life.
Williamson describes creating music that represents Australia as his crusade.
"There was very little Aussie music around when I was a kid, apart from Slim (Dusty)," he said.
"I just wanted to write songs because I didn't have them when I was a kid."
He has now written about 500 songs, and feels he has partially filled that gap.
Williamson never expected to still be performing 50 years after he played his first song, Old Man Emu, at a restaurant in northern NSW.
"I didn't think I'd probably want to keep going at this stage, but I still enjoy it," he said.
While he is growing tired of the travel and airports, he still loves performing.
"When I'm on stage I wish I could just press a button and just appear. I could go forever doing that."
Now 70, he is spending more time at his mountain retreat in Queensland, where he is currently creating three gardens. He's also contemplating building a chook run.
While he has no plans to retire at this stage, he does consider himself semi-retired.
He already has a very busy 2016 planned, but his main focus will be on looking after himself.
"You've just got to go to the mechanic and have an oil change every now and then."
The Tamworth Country Music festival runs from January 15-24.
