Fresh out of school, Jon O Nicholson says that competition under the genre is diverse and enriching.

Among the crowds were jug bands, didgeridoos and musicians playing sitars.

“My impression is that for the festival, country music is native or local to an area,” he explained.

In the end, a band called Tasha won.

“I didn’t mind though because they were great,” he said.

It’s the older stuff that Mr Nicholson likes, which he adds to with a lot of rock and roll country crossover from the 50s and 60s.

He tries to keep it as diverse as he can for the audience.

What really appeals to

him about the genre is its depth.

“A lot of stuff now like Slipknot and Gaga has a lot of aggression in the music and

the lyrics. It’s not as sweet,” he said.

“I like the lot – even metal, but to perform the old stuff, the tone is sweeter; there is more innocence in the music and it is deeper.

“A lot of country today is just about the genie in the bottom of a Jim Beam bottle.”

Another thing that appealed to him at the festival was the family atmosphere.

“Rock concerts focus on how to be the best out there whereas at the festival, they all come together to sing,” he said.

“Even the fan base and audience has a strong sense of family.”

In fact, he believes that his success at the festival comes down to the support of his father Steve and brother James.

Times have been tough, especially after his mother passed away last year.

In terms of role models, he says he has learnt a lot from his father.

“Dad doesn’t play music, but he has a deep knowledge of it and he guides me,” Mr Nicholson said.

He is currently studying audio technology at TAFE and can’t wait to get back to performing with Terry Leonard at the country music club on Sunday at 1pm and is looking forward to a trip to Peak Hill with his father.

He likes talking to other musicians and picks up information wherever he can.

“Terry Leonard taught me how to really perform when I was still very nervous about singing,” he said.

He added that nerves give you an edge.

“Any performer or singer without nerves doesn’t really care because it makes you think about how you are performing and how you can make it better, and the audience is not the enemy,” he said.

His best advice for performers is to take advice and always keep an open mind.