AS CAROONA farming families fought to protect their land from mining giant BHP, a Tamworth songwriter tuned up his guitar and wrote a ballad of support to cheer them on.

Steve Charles was inspired to compose after reading Tuesday’s “Bring It On” report about the blockade in The Leader.

Mr Charles, a songwriter for the past 31 years, said he loved the area.

“Caroona is one of my favourite corners of the State. I have friends out that way. It’s also a very fortunate area; it’s one of the most fertile areas and in the drought it was one of the only ones producing stock. It’s such a great rural food producer. This type of mining could completely screw it up. To me it’s madness. Why ruin such a beautiful piece of land for a bit of money?” he said.

Mr Charles said after reading The Leader’s front page headline on Tuesday he and a fellow songwriter went to work.

“My friend Wendy Wood and I have been talking about what’s been going on down there (Caroona) for awhile now,” he said.

“The Leader’s headline helped – it was the hook for our song Bring It On and it brought everything together.

“We’re actually going to go out and see the people out there and let them know they’re supported.”