AUSTRALIA'S most well known Working Class Man is coming to the Central West in November as part of his new tour.
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The 18-date tour will wind its way around Australia and New Zealand, with Jimmy Barnes visiting major cities and regional centres, and - wait for it - the small rural town of Tullamore in the Parkes Shire.
The village that has a population of just over 400 people will play host to the rock legend on November 2 at Pola Park and they couldn't be more excited about it.
What also makes this event additionally noteworthy for Tullamore is that it is the only show in the tour schedule to include guests Troy Cassar-Daley - who wrote Jimmy's latest hit Shutting Down Our Town - and The Daisy Dukes.
After 15 years of running the annual Tullamore Irish Festival, organisers were forced to cancel this year's Easter long weekend event due to a lack of numbers to form a committee.
They instead opted to spend the year bringing a variety of events and shows to the town - Barnsey's tour is one such event.
Tullamore was invited to be part of the tour when organisers met with the star in Melbourne in November to discuss a potential concert.
The event couldn't be more timely for the drought-stricken town, which hopes the estimated 6000 visitors expected to flock to the shire will boost the village in more ways than one.
"There is a strong sense of community and mateship that pervades Tullamore," event co-organiser Megan Mortimer said.
"With the ongoing drought it gives everyone in the Central West something to look forward to.
"This concert will bring the town together to work together and socialise together. Tullamore loves to welcome visitors and make them feel welcome."
The tour, called Shutting Down Your Town, will see Barnsey playing all his classic hits from his acclaimed new album, My Criminal Record, that is due for release on May 31. It will also feature Cold Chisel anthems, solo classics like Working Class Man and Ain't No Second Prize.
Barnsey's tour will commence in mid September, with tickets to all shows on sale to the general public via www.123tix.com.au on Friday, May 31.
The Tullamore event will also feature a battles of the bands competition, with bands invited to Dropbox their performance clip to info@stageinthesticks.com.au to be in the running to win a 30 minute spot on the main stage on November 2.
Entries close on September 1 and the top six entrants will be judged by a public vote.
Tullamore organisers said the coming together of Jimmy and Troy will be a "not-to-be-missed moment in music history", given the pair's relationship.
The duo performed Bird On A Wire together, Troy features in Jimmy's song The Other Kind, and Troy wrote Shutting Down Our Town especially for Barnes, after he finished reading his memoir Working Class Boy.
"I am excited that we can bring a city concert to our region - this gives kids and adults the opportunity to experience a top quality concert with all the lights, stage and sound of a world class event," Megan said.
"Plus it gives people the opportunity to take a road trip and see the sights of Central NSW.
"Tullamore is a town going all out for this event - and guests can look forward to fabulous food vans and a bar."
Deputy Mayor for the Parkes Shire, Barbara Newton - who resides in Tullamore - said her home town is well known for its friendly and welcoming country hospitality.
"[Tullamore is] in the grip of severe drought, which is having a huge impact on the community, many of whom are primary producers or have direct links with agriculture," she said.
"To its credit, Tullamore is well experienced in hosting guests to music events, with a 15-year history of the very successful Tullamore Irish Music Festival."
Organisers are hoping that Jimmy Barnes' visit will attract and encourage other big names in music to take their shows to smaller towns in the future.
Camping will be available at the Tullamore Showground.
Tickets are limited and are $115 for general admission or $350 VIP ticket.
