John Williamson takes his final bow at the Tamworth Country Music Festival
John Williamson has attended nearly every Tamworth Country Music Festival. (ABC News: Kerrin Thomas)
John Williamson's first memories of Tamworth weren't the famous country music festival, but rather the pain he felt during a rugby match.
"My earliest memory is playing rugby against one of the Tamworth teams … I actually broke my shoulder and I've still got a wire in it," he said.
Since then, his memories of the country music capital have changed to be filled with golden guitars, cowboy boots and plenty of music.
John Williamson says 2026 will be his last year performing at Tamworth. (ABC New England: Peter Sanders )
"I remember the old legends were still going, Slim Dusty and Buddy Williams performing, that's where it all started," he said.
After nearly 54 years at the festival, the Australian country music legend will headline the Tamworth stage for a final time.
"I was very much involved from the beginning. I was one of the five that started the Country Music Association of Australia and I've been part of getting it back to belonging to the musicians themselves," he said.
The Tamworth Country Music Festival hosts more than 300,000 attendees every year. (ABC News: Kemii Maguire)
"I think about all the different things that have happened over the years in Tamworth, all the different friends I've made.
"I just want everyone to know that I appreciate what Tamworth has done for Aussie songs."
Although he's stepping away from the festival stage, Williamson said he would continue to write and record music, but he was ready for some time with family.
John Williamson describes returning to Tamworth each year as "nostalgic". (Supplied: Matt Williams)
"It's my 56th year in the business and I'm just a bit tired of being away from home," he said.
"I might do the odd local gig … it's just the travelling away and flying on aeroplanes, I'm sick of aeroplanes and sick of airports."
Williamson said he was not sure how he would feel after his final festival show, but he wanted to finish on a high note.
"I think it's good to pull out while I'm still doing good shows and I'm not having to read the lyrics or have monitors on the stage," he said.
"We'll see how I feel afterwards, but I mean, just about everybody that retires wants to come back and do it again."
John WIlliamson will say thank you to Tamworth at his final gig. (ABC Western Qld: Grace Nakamura)
Williamson is ready to hand the reins of Australian country music to the next generation; all he asks is they take care of them.
"It's time to let the young ones in and do what they want to do," he said.
"Make sure you keep it Australian, be yourself, and sing about what you know in this country.
"Aussie stories, we want to keep that going. Let's hope we don't let that fade in the future."