Minson, who for 30 years has accompanied such artists as Buddy Williams, Jimmy Barnes, Ross Wilson, Slim Dusty, James Blundell, Troy Cassar-Daley, Matt Scullion and for the past 17 years, Lee Kernaghan, said that yesterday's gig was his first as the headline act.

The four-time Golden Guitar winner was there with wife Shelley, who joined him on stage for a couple of songs.

``Although I'm best known as a session player, I've always believed it was important to have your own identity alongside that,'' Minson said.

``Milestones, a career retrospective, is my latest album, about the fifth I've made, and I'm kind of down here promoting that.

``I really didn't just want to rehash previously recorded material - I've taken a fresh approach to the work.

``But the really exciting thing for me is that after being an independent for a number of years, Rodeo Records has distribution through EMI - it's great to have proper distribution.''

Festival organiser Greg Coad said that the event last year changed back to its roots after 21 years as the Tasmanian Country Music Festival.

``We decided to concentrate more on Tasmanian artists because of the cost of bringing so many mainland artists across,'' Mr Coad said.

``We run a talent quest on Saturday with the main festival on Sunday.

``People came from as far away as Queensland to be part of the talent quest, but it was won by Launceston singer Lyn Muir, with Steve Irwin, of Scottsdale, coming second.

``They both have bright futures.''

Mr Coad said that about 100 people attended Saturday's talent quest, with more than 200 packing the venue yesterday.