For more than 50 years, Tamworth Country Music Capital News has delivered exclusive articles about established and emerging artists, music reviews, festival updates, upcoming events and the nation’s most comprehensive country music gig guide.
While proudly championing Australian country music, the publication has also connected readers with international artists, industry developments, and global country music trends, earning a loyal readership among fans and industry professionals across Australian and around the world.
Now, Australia’s leading country music publication, is embarking on a strategic shift to a fully digital platform, ensuring Australian-led country music news continues to remain accessible, relevant, and sustainable for generations to come.
As part of this evolution, Tamworth Country Music Capital News will be delivered exclusively online. This move ensures that country music fans, artists, and industry professionals across Australia and beyond can stay connected and informed in real time.
The change will occur in late 2026, with the September/October 2026 (Volume 52 NO 5) magazine to be the final printed edition of Capital News.
The digital platform will make it easier to access news, artist stories, industry updates, and festival coverage, reflecting the way audiences increasingly consume media.
The move comes amid significant shifts in the publishing landscape, with many long-standing publications moving away from print due to rising production, printing, and distribution costs.
Capital News has proactively responded to these changes, embracing a more sustainable model that reflects both economic realities and modern audience behaviours.
“The transition reinforces a commitment to innovation while ensuring the publication continues to thrive,” Executive Manager – Creative Communities and Experiences, Peter Ross said.
For decades, Capital News has been synonymous with Tamworth, the Country Music Capital of Australia. Through its comprehensive coverage of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the Golden Guitar Awards, and key industry milestones, the publication has played a vital role in reinforcing Tamworth’s status as the home of Australian country music.
Throughout its history, Capital News has served as a bridge between the Australian and international country music communities, providing coverage of major global events, profiling international artists, and promoting Australian talent to audiences beyond our shores.
First published by Radio 2TM in quarter fold format in January 1975, the paper was initially intended to be a part of the promotional backup for the still very new annual country music festival in Tamworth.
As time went by, it was evident to 2TM that Capital News had achieved a life of its own and was growing as quickly as the country music scene it served.
By 1981, “Cap News” had developed into a monthly tabloid and was required reading for the country music industry and fans alike.
The publication was bought by Rural Press in 1995 and in 2002, in keeping up with the times, Capital News re-invented itself again, this time into the modern glossy magazine format. In July 2017, it was acquired by Tamworth Regional Council and continued to be printed in magazine form.
Country Music Coordinator and Managing Editor Cheryl Brown says Capital News has consistently championed the importance of Australian country music having its own distinct voice.
“By prioritising homegrown artists, stories, and perspectives, it has helped shape the narrative that Australian country music is a unique and culturally significant genre.
“At its core, Capital News remains committed to telling the stories that matter, including those of artists, fans, venues, and communities that make up Australia’s country music scene, while also maintaining the international connections that have long enriched and strengthened our industry,” she said.
Mr Ross says “The digital transition ensures the platform can continue to deliver timely, engaging, and inclusive content while strengthening its role as a connection point across the country music community.”
“This next chapter marks an exciting step forward, one that honours Capital News’ legacy while embracing the opportunities of the future,” he said.
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