PERFORMING at the Tamworth Country Music Festival for just their second time, the Castlereagh Connection had a whirlwind of a week at the 50th annual event.

The Coonamble-based band were in hot demand, performing several shows, juggling interviews on radio and NITV, and signing autographs for fans while they busked in the main street.

Many autograph hunters recognised Castlereagh Connection from when they performed on television's talent show The Voice - Next Generation.

The Castlereagh Connection were popular buskers and signed autographs during their sets on Peel Street. IMAGE: Castlereagh Connection facebook.

Their 'rising stars' status was secured when they received multiple bookings for the Fanzone Stage at this year's festival.

Castlereagh Connection were invited to perform on three separate occasions, including a guest appearance for Buddy Knox Presents The Future.

On Thursday, youngest member of the band and lead singer Travis Jones auditioned for the Golden Gig Talent Quest, going on to win is age category in one of the most hotly-contested competitions of the festival.

“Travis was very nervous going in to this as it was his first time performing on his own,” Mrs Jones said.

“He sang a song written by his Uncle during his final and went up against some amazing performers and big voices so coming away with the win was very unexpected, we were all so proud of him.

"The judges came and spoke to him after and said that how he projected his voice and how he was able to show so much emotion while singing took them on a ride with him and made them feel the emotion of every word which gave him the edge.”

Lead singer Travis Jones won his age category in the Golden Gig competition. IMAGE: Castlereagh Connection facebook.

The boy's busking also hit the right note and to top off their week Castlereagh Connection was selected to compete in the 2022 Busking Championship finals over the weekend.

Mrs Jones said it made the end to an already incredible experience in Tamworth truly “insane”.

“The boys were selected to be in the top 10 and got the chance to perform on the biggest stage in Tamworth, they went out with no expectation, already winners by being on that stage,” she said.

"They got to share the stage with some really amazing singer/songwriters and really took in the whole experience.

"Only four votes away from being the peoples choice was a nice feeling with the winner of the people’s choice being a Tamworth local.”

In between appearances, the Jones family ducked home for a day for some time out from their hectic schedule and also managed to squeeze in a spot of fishing in Tamworth's Peel River.

How to wind down during a wild week at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. IMAGE: Castlereagh Connection facebook.

They report that Travis just missed a good one and David (senior) pulled in a cod.

Castlereagh Connection have since returned to Coonamble with more shows in the pipeline.