As the Tamworth Country Music Festival is right on our doorstep, so is Orange local Clancy Pye’s opportunity to shine.

You’ll remember we reported Clancy’s achievement of making the top 10 Finalists for the Toyota Star Maker competition (held at the Tamworth Country Music Festival) in a previous edition. It is said to be the biggest prize in Australian Country Music and has launched the careers of so many artists Clancy idolises.

We caught up with her before she hit the road talking all things pre-show, as she is to take the stage this Sunday.

“I think preparation is the key. I feel comfortable performing on any stage when I'm well prepared, so I've been working really hard on preparing my two songs for Sunday night. I'll be singing two of my own songs so I suppose that will be a new experience for me as I haven't had that opportunity previously on such a big stage. I'm very much in rehearsal mode which I feel is the best way to conquer nerves.”

Clancy continued, “Sunday is going to be a busy day. We have a tight schedule with rehearsals as well as meeting with the judges for an interview during the day prior to the Grand Final Concert so again, I think it's just about being prepared and not feeling overwhelmed by the whole experience. It's a process I really want to soak in and enjoy so I'm very much looking forward to that.”

“I have been very lucky to play on some of the biggest festival stages here in Australia as well as over in the US/ Canada, however, it has only ever been as a guitarist/ backing vocalist for other artists. This will be a new experience for me as this time I will be front and centre performing my own songs which I have never had the opportunity to do on a stage this big previously.”

“Without a doubt, if I were to be remembered for anything by new fans in Tamworth, it would be for my songs. As an artist and someone very passionate about song writing, I feel my underlying purpose is to create music and musical experiences that are memorable and impact people in some way. I'm really proud of the songs that I've written and will be performing at the Grand Final Concert. I feel there are messages in my songs that people can relate their own experiences to and if I can be remembered as having an impact on people through my songs, then I feel I've done my job.”

Best of luck Clancy!