Tony Cook, also known by his stage name Laidback Tones, is set to take the stages of Julia Creek by storm, performing at the iconic Dirt n Dust Festival in April.
The Charters Towers man, who describes himself as just a simple honest and humble country boy, has been given the chance of a lifetime to perform at the festival, which expects to draw in over 3000 guests over the weekend.
The acoustic country and rock singer will take the stage on the weekend to perform original songs - including his new single “Laid Back Country” which he hopes to unofficially launch at the festival - as well as plenty of classics that will be sure to please the country crowd.
“I like to generally try to get people up dancing and having a good time, you know, get everyone to let their hair down and have a good night,” he said.
“It's always great to get out back home - I call it my home because it’s my emotional homeland, my heart’s out there. Everytime I play the crowds out there, they are so appreciative and they’re the kind of people that let their hair down and have a good time to 150 per cent.”
Mr Cook has been performing professionally for 10 years now but has said he has been songwriting and playing guitar all his life.
He performs all the hits from country, rock and modern music, combined with his own compilations off his self titled EP which has been played on AUSTER's CMC & national Radio and says he’ll give the crowd one hell of a show out there.
“It definitely will be good to get out there - I would have loved to have played the festival event for many years now, but I haven’t had the chance to do so I’m keen as mustard to get out there to perform and get amongst it,” he says.
“It’s going to be a great weekend.”
Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival president, Stephen Malone, has said it was important to ensure the entertainment was relevant to the event so as to create the right atmosphere.
“We have hand-picked some incredible Aussie talent, who all hail from outback Australia. Each one will bring their wonderful talents and laidback Aussie manner. It’s a really exciting line-up and I think our visitors will have a ball, that’s for sure,” he said.
“We’re really proud to be supporting local regional artists.”
“Tony is an exceptional Aussie talent and we think he’ll fit in perfectly with our laid-back, fun-loving country atmosphere,” Mr Malone said.
“I think people out there will fall in love with his music just as much as we did.” “All of the talent we’ve got performing this year is incredible, it’s really not to be missed. It’s going to one hell of a weekend.”