The Mercury sat down to chat with organiser Laura Johnson about this year's event when things turned to the Mullet 'anthem' .

At that point it was hard to get a word in edgewise as Laura and her mate, Greta's Lyn Bowtell, singer-songwriter and nine-time Golden Guitar winner, recalled how it all came about in 2019.

"Laura rang me and asked if I could help write a song about Mulletfest and unless she asks me to do another, I reckon it'll be my only one," Lyn said.

Admitting it was an unusual request, Lyn, her partner Damon Morton and Laura co-wrote the 'Party in the back' tune. Lyn then pulled some country music strings, had the the song mixed and mastered by Simon Johnson of Hillbilly Hut who helped them in a short space of time.

She added, "it became bleedingly obvious that we needed that strong rock voice" and Chris Williams was recruited as lead vocalist.

"Chris set the benchmark, and I'm just the wailing chick singer in the background", chuckled Bowtell.

It all came about pretty quickly and anyone who visits the Chelmsford Hotel this weekend will be sure to hear it blasting out.

Then it was back to mullets. Would Lyn Bowtell, country music star, consider a mullet?

"I have a moon face and a mullet wouldn't suit me, but I'm willing to gel it back for the weekend," she said.

Despite obvious COVID hurdles, Mulletfest has still received 122 entries across a range of categories.

After that the plan is to go national, and visit regional areas to give a much-needed tourism boost. Locations are to be confirmed, but applications are rolling in and when they do go on tour, the truck will be loaded with merchandise, sound gear, props, marquees and a stage.

"And can you point out Friday night is the Matt Forster Memorial Rookies night, for a friend who lost his battle with Glioblastoma in 2019," Laura explained. "All proceeds on the night go to the Mark Hughes Foundation."

Lyn Bowtell will spend the next 12 months recording her new album and preparing for some small tours. 'Party in the back' is on iTunes.