Tamworth's Jean Stafford can in many ways be likened to the original Coal Miner's Daughter, Loretta Lynn. Mainly because of the black hair (now blonde), the endless hardships, the failed marriage, the sexist barriers and the ability to belt out a country song sweeter than anyone else.

"I began my life, and career for that matter, in a tiny country town called Meander in northern Tasmania, which I guess was a bit like Loretta's beginning," opined Stafford acknowledging some similarities in hardship, but not overly anxious to embrace the comparison. When pushed for her own choice, she'd rather suggest legendary American performer the late Kitty Wells. "And that's because I was brought up listening to the likes of Kitty on the radio. I grew to love her. And now that I've met her and become friends I've realised how much I've modelled my style on her over the years. Plus, one more thing, as people we are both very shy."

But the Lynn similarity remains none the less. For example Stafford is self taught musically, as is Lynn, and her three kids are also very musical. On top of that she married at a very young age, 17, like Lynn, and not surprisingly that was the first time she ever encountered any form of electricity. "Where I came from we lived in a place that simply didn't have electricity until I was 17. I actually had to listen to the transistor radio and it was there in Tasmania on 7LA that I fell in love with country music."

And in falling in love back in the impressionable teenage years, Stafford, probably much like Lynn, had no idea how large the mountain of politics in this business would be. "I've certainly encountered my share. I believe in respect for others and hopefully I will be respected in return. But I let people with egos know I don't like egos. And in this business there are plenty of egos about." On that score she wished to go no further for there never seems to be any goodness born from criticising people or situations. And it is that strain of virtue in her personality, combined with a plethora of winning songs and many albums to date, that has won her industry acclaim. So much so that today she is the reigning Queen of Australian Country Music, a title bestowed upon her a few years back and one that, despite media attempts to lift it onto younger shoulders, will remain hers until she dies.