Country music enthusiast Rhonda Chatfield will fly the flag for Dubbo as she performs at the 2017 Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF) next week.
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Rhonda said she’s ready to rock Tamworth’s “Boulevard of Dreams” alongside 600 other buskers as they compete in the highly-anticipated Toyota Landcruiser Country Music Busking Championships.
Performing at the festival has been a dream in the making for the self-proclaimed country girl, and as of January 25 she can tick it off her list.
“I’m very excited, I know it’s just busking but I’ve always wanted to do it and now I’m finally doing it,” she said.
“You see some awesome talent over there, a lot of them are different ages too so I’ll blend in really well...I’ll make sure I blend in anyway!”
Born to parents with a love for country music the apple didn’t fall far from the tree as both Rhonda and her brother, Wayne Chatfield, inherited the passion.
The duo formed a band named “Chatties” and over the last six years have performed around Dubbo, Parkes and Narromine.
Sadly for the pair Wayne won’t be accompanying Rhonda to the festival this year, instead she will be supported by her husband Don, her daughter Cindy and friend Sandra.
“I’ll miss him because we’ve been singing together for a good while,” she said.
Rhonda – who has little experiencing on the busking scene – will entertain street-goers with an assortment of her favourite country tunes.
“I went to Tamworth last year, saw a few of the buskers and through it would be something I’d really love to do,” she said.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing so I’m going ahead and doing it.”
While many buskers will use the competition as an opportunity to be scouted, Rhonda said she’s happy just to be there.
“If I do any good that’s a bonus to me but I’m not worried if I don’t,” she said.
“Then I can say I’ve done it, and if I like it I’ll go again next year...I say I’ll like it.
“I just hope to rock the street at Tamworth.”
“I can’t wait to get there.”