The year 2025 marks the 51st anniversary of Australian country music's longest running publication, Tamworth Country Music Capital News, published by Tamworth Regional Council since 2017.

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, Country Music Capital.  But as time went by, it was evident to 2TM that Capital News had achieved a life of its own and it 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.  In 2002, still keeping up with the times, Capital News re-invented itself again, this time into the modern glossy magazine format it enjoys today.

Capital News has received a number of awards through the years including the 2002 and 2005 Australian Country Music Achiever Awards for "Media Achiever Of The Year".

Mr Barry Harley, Country Music Manager of Tamworth Regional Council, said "it was good to know all the hard work and planning that goes into keeping Capital News attractive to fans and relevant to the professionals was acknowledged by the industry".

"Over the 51 years it's been published, Cap News has covered each and every story and issue of any significance to country music, and it will continue to play a central role in bringing readers all the news and information about every aspect of the music they love.”

Capital News also publishes the Official Guide of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

For more information please contact managing editor Cheryl Brown at cheryl@tamworthcountrymusic.com.au