Now Bega singer-songwriter Matt Preo has released a new album, Hometown, a collection he is calling a 30-year celebration of songwriting.

Hometown features 22 songs including the title track, long-time favourite I Hate Flies, and the recent emotional tribute to our local firefighters, The Firies.

Preo said he hadn't intended to write a tribute to firefighters, but he woke up at 2am one morning with a line running through in his head.

"I nearly fell out of bed - I had to get up, turn on the light and write it all down."

He performed the tune at January's Australia Day celebration in Bega where it was very well received.

"It was really lovely of them to ask me to do that," he said.

"There's a lot of emotion around what was going on, and not just here in the Bega Valley.

"That song was just a gift for everyone."

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Hometown showcases Preo's talent for observing the land he loves and characters who have inspired him for more than 30 years.

He began busking in 1990 and released his first album in 1994 after an appearance on Hey Hey It's Saturday's Red Faces talent show.

Hometown is only Preo's second album, released 26 years after the first, but it encapsulates "a journey of songwriting" throughout that time.

"It's a good reflection of the timeline from that first song to now," Preo said.

"I'm very proud of this album and I hope you enjoy it as much as I've loved making it."

Preo said his connection to the land and to people is very important. Having been prevented from keeping up with those connections at his three-day-a-week busking sessions, due to COVID-19, is particularly hard.

"Playing music is an expression of who I am.

"I love keeping in touch with my community and it really resonates with me that I have to be there [busking].

"People love to stop and listen to a couple of songs then have a chat.

"I am really missing it."

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Preo has been joined by many great local and interstate musicians on Hometown, who have really brought his songs to life. Several of the more recent offerings were recorded and produced at David Sparks' Pirate Studios, while other well-known Bega Valley names credited include Damon Davies and Jon Trevana.

Hometown is available on CD and download card from Bega Newsagency, The Nook Cafe in Bega, Bendy Kates in Tathra, and of course from Preo himself when he's able to return to busking outside the Bega Commonwealth Bank.