THE announcement of Kasey Chambers as the headline act of the inaugural Murwillumbah Country Roots Music Festival has seen ticket sales soar, according to festival director Gary Dahan.

"Tickets went on sale back in late October," Mr Dahan said.

"The lead-up to Christmas was really good.

"We expected Christmas and January to be reasonably slow, but a lot of locals have bought tickets."

Mr Dahan said Murwill-umbah Country Roots Festival would be all about the music.

"We're trying to make it a point of difference," he said.

He said no one wanted to see "stupid ute races" or rodeos. "We're going to educate people with the festival and use local produce from Murwillumbah."

He commended local residents, Tweed Shire Council and the Murwillumbah Chamber of Commerce for getting behind the event. "I think they were very happy about it," he said. "It's a country town with country people."

Mr Dahan said the festival's five-year plan saw the festival really taking hold in the town. "Our five-year plan is to end up with two main stages," he said.

He said the ultimate goal was to pack out Murwill-umbah Showground, this year's venue, as well as the nearby race field.

Joining Chambers at the festival will be Archie Roach, Sara Storer, Shane Howard and the Bushwackers and festival co-director Lou Bradley, who is a finalist for the Golden Guitar Alternative Country Album of the Year.

More acts have yet to be announced.

The festival will run from October 2-5 at Murwill-umbah Showgrounds. For the full line-up so far and to buy tickets, visit mbahcountryrootsfest.com.