Loren Ryan will kick off the Tamworth Country Music Festival at the Opening Concert next month.
The Gamilaraay musician will set the stage for the ten day long festival running from April 18 to 24, which will see the return of country music favorites: Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung man Troy Cassar-Daley, Kasey Chambers, Lee Kernaghan, and many more.
Ms Ryan is also in the running for a major prize, making it to the top ten of the annual Toyota Star Maker competition, where she will compete for the top spot on day two of the festival.
She told NITV News it “feels incredible” to be recognised for a prize that sets a high bar in the industry, with previous winners, including Keith Urban and Beccy Cole going on to successful careers.
“I'm overwhelmed with emotions, I'm excited, I'm nervous, and I'm proud,” she said.
Having shared the stage with Jessica Mauboy and Kelly Rowland, Ms Ryan was known as an R&B artist before making the switch to country music, coming back to her Tamworth roots.
Loren Ryan's latest single Eventually came out in February, making big waves in the country music scene. Source: SBS
“Being true to myself is what made me want to switch genres into country music. I'm surrounded by it living in Tamworth and grew up listening to it," she said.
“I hold my culture very close to me and it's within every move I've made, and singing country music allows me to merge those things together and bring this beautiful art to people."
Ms Ryan said being a First Nations artist in the country music scene is intimidating, but she hopes to carve out space for other up and coming black artists by following in the footsteps of those who inspire her most.
“You’ve got Uncle Troy [Cassar-Daley] who makes music that aligns with him as a blackfella and his experiences and culture," she said.
“I aim to be just as proud as him and make music in the way that he does so beautifully, incorporating his culture into it.
“Also, letting the younger ones know that it's okay to like country music…I want to make this space more accessible to them, and more safe for them."
A tribute to her daughter, her latest album Songs for Charlie is a kids country music album including covers of her daughter’s favorites, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Hokey Pokey, as well as four original tracks.
Loren Ryan with her daughter Charlie. Source: SBS
“There's a song about going to Nan's house, a song about making friends, and a song about hopes and dreams and wondering what she'll grow up to be.
“I hope one day she grows up and listens back to these songs and can reminisce about her childhood,” she said.
The album incorporates words and verses in the Gamilaraay language and the musical backing of the didgeridoo and clapsticks.
“It also serves as a learning resource for kids, Gomeroi kids, that want to learn lingo or anyone who wants to learn lingo, really,” she said.
