He is known for high energy electric blues and rock but will be treating festival-goers to an acoustic take on his material, giving it a "really different vibe."

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge," said Kevin, adding that he is also very much looking forward to hearing other artists perform, in particular young Josh Needs.

"It will be a smorgasbord of guitars," Kevin said. "This is going to be a wonderful celebration of acoustic stuff."

And talking of guitars, Kevin will be joined on stage by his 1930s National steel guitar, a guitar older than he is himself, so listeners can expect plenty of steel slide blues.

Most of his set will be original material, however he said the vibe lends itself to being able to throw in some Hendrix and old blues.

Playing the festival scene is a vastly different world to the days when he played in bands, his Kevin Borich Express and The Party Boys, five nights a week.

"Festivals are usually fantastic, if they're well organised," he said. "People are specifically there to listen and enjoy it. They make an effort to go - they're music lovers. It's great for us!"

In 2005 Kevin was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, which necessitated time out from his career and treatment by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which Kevin complemented with alternative medicine and diet.

Treatment left Kevin with teeth and jaw problems, hearing problems, killed off his salivary glands, and left him with a deeper voice, which doesn't bother him in the slightest. He says it gives the voice character, much in line with his influences Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix.

After the Akoostik Festival, Kevin heads down to the Sydney Blues Festival. He has been asked to play at a restaurant and perform songs to do with food and when asked whether any of his songs are culinary-themed, he laughed "I might have to write a song called 'One Meat Ball' or something!".

Borich's latest CD 'Totem', which reached the number three position on the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay charts, will be available for purchase at the Akoostik Festival.

You can also buy Totem and his other CDs, plus other merchandise on his site www.kevinborich1.com.

Wingham Akoostik Festival is on October 16-18 at Wingham Showgrounds.