Mr Lockley, 52, has made the finals of the ''great country pub song contest'' at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which began yesterday.

The material will come from songs he has written while driving a garbage truck in western Sydney.

His working life has inspired material about vehicle accidents, talkback radio callers and street workers he passes each morning.

"To be honest I'm quite nervous about it. I'm just a garbage man.

"After 30 years of wanting to go to the country music festival and play an original song in front of a crowd … it will be the highlight of my life."

Mr Lockley, who still lives near the Lidcombe Hotel where he did a gig 30 years ago, will sing You Gotta Love the Local alongside finalists from across Australia, including the formidable team of the playwright Louis Nowra and the musician Stewart D'Arrietta.

He joins hundreds of starry-eyed hopefuls vying for greatness, or at least an audience, at the festival which has been dubbed the southern hemisphere's answer to Nashville.

The event spans 80 venues and 4000 performances ranging from open-mike nights and talent quests to the pinnacle of the music calendar, the Golden Guitar award.

Mr Lockley remains grounded, despite his impending fame.

"I'm not wearing a cowboy hat on stage, just jeans and a T-shirt - a western suburbs-type look," he said.

"My guitar has got a few scratches and marks and the fingerboard is a bit worn. It's not a new one but I'll stick with it."

Among those also hoping for a break is Cowra singer Tamlyn Butwell, whose dream ended prematurely last year when her family's Jeep broke down half way to Tamworth.

The 17-year-old has secured a 10-minute spot on a stage in the town's main street and hopes to attract offers to perform bigger gigs at next year's festival.

Her father, Greg, conceded competition would be stiff. "There is a huge amount of talent out there. It [can be a matter of] right place, right time, and who you know," he said.