Thousands celebrate Tamworth opening

Recent controversy surrounding Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey hasn't stopped fans coming out to support them at the opening concert of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Thousands of people, equipped with picnic blankets and camping chairs, descended on Tamworth's Bicentennials Park for the opening on Friday night.

After some initial troubles extinguishing a fire caused by an alight whip, and brief speeches from Tamworth Mayor Col Murray and Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner, cheers erupted for the night's hosts, The Sunny Cowgirls.

Performances from Audrey Auld, Lachlan Bryan and, last year's Star Maker winner, Kaylee Bell were also well received.

But, no cheers were louder than those for headliners Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey.

The country legends were embroiled in controversy late last month when then head of the CMAA John Williamson criticised the "Americanisation" of their collaboration album, the Great Country Songbook.

Cassar-Daley and Harvey withdrew their Golden Guitar nominations over the criticisms.

But if the boys are still worried about Williamson's comments, they didn't let it show when they kicked-off their set with a cover of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire.

"This is amazing to see how many people have come out for this opening festival," Cassar-Daley said.

"There's nothing in the world like country music," said Harvey.

The crowd erupted into clapping and foot stomping during covers of American classics like Kenny Rogers' The Gambler and Cash's Walk The Line.

During the performance, Sue Henley and Karen Hickie stormed to the front of the barricade to swoon over Harvey and Cassar-Daley.

"Adam's to die for," Sue told AAP.

"I like Troy too but Adam doesn't look too bad and his voice isn't too bad either."

After a cover of Willie Nelson's On the Road Again the opening celebrations were ended with fireworks.

The Tamworth Country Music Festival runs until January 26.