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Australian country music

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Slim Dusty,who was the best-selling domestic country artist

Australian country musicis a part of themusic of Australia.There is a broad range of styles, frombluegrass,toyodelingtofolkto the more popular. The genre has been influenced by Celtic and English folk music, the Australianbush balladtradition, as well as by popularAmerican country music.[1]Themes include:outbacklife, the lives ofstockmen,truckersandoutlaws,songs of romance and of political protest; and songs about the "beauty and the terror" of the Australian bush.

Early pioneers of the genre includedTex Morton,Smoky Dawson(touted as Australia's first singing cowboy),Buddy Williams,Slim DustyandJohnny Ashcroft,Reg LindsayandJean Stafford(Early Hadley Recordings) who are all members of theAustralian Roll of Renown.

Australian country stars[edit]

Early country starJohnny Ashcroft

Notable musicians include:Adam Brand,Adam Harvey,Amber Lawrence,Caitlyn Shadbolt,Christie Lamb,Jasmine Rae,Troy Cassar-Daley,Davidson Brothers,Slim Dusty,Steve Forde,Joy McKean(Australia’s Grand Lady Of Country Music),Jean Stafford(Australia’s Queen Of Country Music),Olivia Newton-John,Lionel Long,John Williamson,Chad Morgan,Keith Urban,O'Shea,Lee Kernaghan,Melinda Schneider,Kasey ChambersandBeccy Cole.Others influenced by the genre includePaul KellyandTex Perkins.Popular songs includeWhen the Rain Tumbles Down in July(1946),Waltzing Matilda(1895),Pub With No Beer(1957),Lights on the Hill(1973),I Honestly Love You(1974),True Blue(1981),Boys From the Bush(1992), andNot Pretty Enough(2002).

Overview[edit]

A 1905 collection of old bush songs compiled byBanjo Paterson.Australian country music is heavily influenced by Americancountry music,but grew also out of an Australian tradition ofBush balladsand poetry.

Australia has a long tradition ofcountry music,which has developed a style quite distinct from its US counterpart, influenced by English, Irish and Scottish folk ballads and by the traditions of Australianbush balladeerslikeHenry LawsonandBanjo Paterson.Country instruments, including theguitar,banjo,fiddleandharmonicacreate the distinctive sound of country music in Australia and accompany songs with strong storyline and memorable chorus and lyrics.[1]

The style of Australian country music evolved under the influence of rock and roll forms. While some subject matter may be constant, musical styles differ between traditional and contemporary bush ballads. Exemplars of the traditional bush ballad style includeSlim Dusty's "When the Rain Tumbles Down in July"or" Leave Him in the Long Yard "which have strong narrative in verses plus choruses set to a pick n' strum beat. Contemporary bush ballads may employ finger picking and strumming rock styles as inLee Kernaghan's later version of "Leave Him in the Long Yard", or inKeith Urbanreworking of the Slim Dusty/Joy McKean classic "Lights on the Hill".[2]

Early bush music[edit]

The distinctive themes and origins of Australia'sbush musiccan be traced to the songs sung by the convicts who were sent to Australia during the early period of the British colonisation, beginning in 1788. Early Australian ballads sing of the harsh ways of life of the epoch and of such people and events asbushrangers,swagmen,drovers,stockmenandshearers.Convict and bushranger verses often railed against government tyranny. Classic bush songs on such themes include: "The Wild Colonial Boy","Click Go the Shears","The Eumeralla Shore "," The Drover's Dream "," The Queensland Drover "," The Dying Stockman "and"Moreton Bay".[3]

Later themes which endure to the present include the experiences of war, of droughts and flooding rains, ofAboriginal identityand of the railways and trucking routes which link Australia's vast distances. Isolation and loneliness of life in theAustralian bushhas been another theme. For much of its history, Australia's bush music belonged to an oral and folkloric tradition, and was only later published in print in volumes such asBanjo Paterson'sOld Bush Songs,in the 1890s.

"Waltzing Matilda",often regarded as Australia's unofficialnational anthem,is a quintessential early Australian country song, influenced more by Celtic folk ballads than by US country and western music. The lyrics were composed by the poetBanjo Patersonin 1895. This strain of Australian country music, with lyrics focusing on strictly Australian subjects, is generally known as "bush music" or "bush bandmusic ".[3]

Country and folk artists such asGary Shearston,Lionel Long,Margaret Roadknight,Tex Morton,Slim Dusty,Rolf Harris,The Bushwackers,John Williamson,andJohn Schumannof the bandRedgumhave continued to record and popularise the old bush ballads of Australia through the 20th and into the 21st century – and contemporary artists includingPat Drummond,Sara StorerandLee Kernaghandraw heavily on this heritage.

Development of modern country[edit]

Country singerReg Lindsayand Joan Clarke on the Hour of Song radio program, 2UW Radio Theatre, Sydney in 1954

Pioneers of a more Americanised popular country music in Australia includedTex Morton(known asThe Father of Australian Country Music) in the 1930s and other early stars likeBuddy Williams,Shirley ThomsandSmoky Dawson.In 1932, Tex Morton arrived from New Zealand, aged 16, and humped his swag around outback stations where he began to earn a name as a performer. In 1936 he cut his first commercial records in Australia. He went on to establish a distinctly Australianbush balladstyle, shifting from American songs to songs about Australia. He attained national popularity in the 1930s and formed a traveling "Rodeo and Wildwest Show" in the 1940s. In 1949 he travelled to North America and Europe enjoying great success as a stage hypnotist, working in film and with artists such asHank Williams.He returned to Australia in the early 1960s, by which time a generation of performers had carved a place for the Australian themed country music he pioneered.[4]

Chad Morgan,the "clown prince" of Australian country music. Morgan has been performing since the 1950s. His works are peppered with colourful Australianvernacular.
Statue of "TheCunnamulla Fella"erected as a tribute to songwriterStan Costerand singerSlim Dusty

Smoky Dawsoncut his first recording in 1941: "I'm a Happy Go Lucky Cowhand". In 1952, Dawson began a radio show, and went on to national stardom as a yodelling, whip cracking, knife throwing, singing cowboy of radio, TV and film.[5]

Known as "Canada's Yodelling Cowboy",Donn Reynolds(1921–1997) began a 40-year international career upon cutting several popular sides in 1947 on the Regal Zonophone label including "Old Bush Shanty of Mine" and "Stockman's Lullaby". He toured with Willard (Bill) Ferrier's Famous Hillbillies in what was Sydney's first all-country format variety shows[6]and became the voice of Australia's iconicPeters Ice Creamas the "Peter's Singing Cowboy". Reynolds achieved notoriety through song and screen performances worldwide, and later established 2 world records for yodeling.[7][8]

Slim Dusty(1927–2003) was known as the "King of Australian Country Music", and helped to popularise the Australianbush ballad.His successful career spanned almost six decades and his 1957 hit "A Pub With No Beer"was the biggest-selling record by an Australian to that time, the first Australian single to gogold,and the first and only 78 rpm record to be awarded a gold disc. Dusty remains Australia's most successful and prolific performer, and won more Gold and Platinum albums than any other Australian artist. Dusty recorded and released his one-hundredth album in the year 2000 and was given the honour of singingWaltzing Matildain the closing ceremony of theSydney 2000 Olympic Games.Dusty was accorded astate funeralupon his death and with over 7 million Australian record sales he remains Australia's most successful domestic music artist.[9]

Slim Dusty's wifeJoy McKeanpenned several of his most popular songs including "Indian Pacific", "The Biggest Disappointment" and "Lights on the Hill".[10]Their daughterAnne Kirkpatrickis also a successful singer-songwriter. The family began annual round Australia tours in 1964 – encompassing a 30,000-mile, 10-month journey which was the subject of a feature film,The Slim Dusty Moviein 1984.

Although himself an accomplished writer of songs, Dusty had a number of other songwriters including Mack Cormack,Gordon Parsons,Stan Costerand Kelly Dixon who were typically short on formal education but big on personal experience of theAustralian bush.Coster wrote popular Dusty bush ballads including "Cunnamulla Fella"and" Three Rivers Hotel "based on his own experience of working as a sheep hand and railway construction worker. Drawing on his travels and such writers over a span of decades, Dusty almost inadvertently chronicled the story of a rapidly changing post-war Australian nation. Nevertheless, the arrival ofrock and rollmusic saw major metropolitan music radio stations abandon support for country artists like Dusty and despite record sales in the multi millions, he and other successful Australian country artists were rarely heard on air outside regional centres in Australia until the new cross-over pop-country styles of the 1990s began to be heard again on city airwaves.[10]

In 1951, country singer-songwriterReg Lindsaybegan broadcasting on Sydney radio and remained on air for 12 years. In 1964 he took overChannel 9'sThe Country & Western Hour,which was networked around Australia and ran for seven and a half years. Soon after the show was replaced withReg Lindsay's Country Homesteadfrom Brisbane. The show gave hundreds of young artists a boost and helped to boost the Australian country music industry.[11]

Another enduring talent of Australian country music has beenChad Morgan,who began recording in the 1950s and is known for his vaudeville style of comic Australian country and western songs, his prominent teeth and goofy stage persona. In reference to his first recording he is known as The Sheik of Scrubby Creek.Johnny Ashcrofthad an early country-rock chart success in Australia and New Zealand whileFrank Ifieldachieved considerable success in the early 1960s, especially in the UK Singles Charts.Reg Lindsaywas one of the first Australians to perform atNashville'sGrand Ole Opryin 1974.[12]His international hitArmstrong,a tribute to the historic 1969Moon landingbyAmericanastronautNeil Armstrongis now included in atime capsuleat theJohnson Space Centerin Houston, Texas.[13]

Ted Eganbegan recording in 1969 and has released 28 albums, mostly themed aroundoutbacklife, history and Aboriginal affairs.Eric Bogle's 1972 folk lament to theGallipoli campaign"And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda"recalled the Celtic origins of Australian folk-country.

Olivia Newton-John

Singer-songwriterJohn Williamsonbegan to build his reputation as an iconic Australian entertainer with his 1970 performance of his first song "Old Man Emu"onNew Faces(influenced by novelty works ofRolf Harrissuch as "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport"). It was the first of many popular songs employingAustralian slang.In 1982 he released "True Blue"and subsequent works includingMallee Boy,the lyrical "Galleries of Pink Galahs" and reworkings of Australianbush balladsand folk songs earned him a permanent position as leading exponent of Australian country and folk music.[14][15]

In 1970, Tamworth's Radio 2TM organised the landmarkBicentennial Concertto mark the 200th anniversary of the voyage of CaptainJames Cookalong the coast of Eastern Australia. The pioneers of Australian country musicSlim Dusty,Joy McKean,Barry Thornton, "Smiling" Billy Blinkhorn,Smoky Dawson,Shirley Thomsand Buddy Bishop all featured in the concert which contributed to a revival of interest in Australian country music which had struggled for airplay since the arrival of rock and roll in Australia.[16]TheTamworth Country Music Festivalbegan in 1973 and now attracts up to a 100,000 visitors annually.

In 1974, popular cross-over artistOlivia Newton-Johnreceived theCountry Music Association's Top Female Vocalist award in the US, despite protest from American country purists. Her popular hits have included "I Honestly Love You"and"Tenterfield Saddler"by Australian singer-songwriterPeter Allenas well as country classics such as "Banks of the Ohio"and"Take Me Home, Country Roads".[17]

Brian YoungOAM(1935 – 15 May 2016),[18]also known as the Singing Rough Rider, the Singing Bushman, and the Voice Of The Outback,[19]was born inAyr, Queensland.His first recording was an EP in 1962 and he later released several albums on Opal Records, the last in 2007. His touring Brian Young Show, which toured to some of the most remote places in Australia by chartered aeroplane, brought major country music stars such as Jimmy Little, Col Hardy,Auriel Andrew,Roger Knox,Troy Cassar-Daley,andBeccy Coleto fans around the nation.[20][19]He was named Songmaker of the Year by the Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA), and in 2000. won their Tex Morton Award and the Outback Trailblazer Award.[20]He was a winner of aGolden Guitar AwardWinner, and in 1999 was inducted into the Australian Country Music Roll of Renown at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.[19]In 2001, he was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal.[20]

Aboriginal country[edit]

Archie Roach(right) withRuby Hunterat the 2009Tamworth Country Music Festival

Country music has been particularly popular among theAboriginal AustralianandTorres Strait Islanderpeoples,[21]creating a sub-genre often termed Aboriginal country music.[22]

Jimmy Littlewas a pioneer,Georgia Leewas of the same era (1940s–50s).Dougie Young,Lionel Rose,andHarry and Wilga Williamsand their band the Country Outcasts were very popular during the 1960s and 1970s.[23][24][25][26]

Gus Williams,Auriel Andrew,andIsaac Yammawere active from the 1970s, and the 1980s broughtRoger Knox( "godfather ofKoorimusic "[27]),Warren H. Williams,Kev Carmody,Archie Roach,Ruby Hunter,Tiddas,and theWarumpi Band,among many others.[25]Troy Cassar-Daleyis among Australia's successful contemporary Indigenous performers. Carmody and Roach have employed a combination of folk-rock and country music to sing about Aboriginal rights issues.[21]

The book, documentary film, and soundtrackBuried Country(2000) showcase significant Indigenous musicians from the 1940s to the 1990s.[28][29]

Contemporary[edit]

Country singerMelinda Schneiderwith folk-rockerPaul Kelly

In 1992, theCountry Music Association of Australiawas launched inTamworth, New South Walesto encourage, develop and promote Australian country music.Slim Dustywas its first chairman,John Williamsonits vice chairman,Joy McKeanwas treasurer, Max Ellis secretary and Phil Matthews public officer. After negotiations, Tamworth's Radio 2TM agreed to hand over responsibility for theGolden GuitarAwards to the new body.[30]

Kasey Chambers
Lee Kernaghan
Keith Urban

By the 1990s, Country music had attained cross-over success in the pop charts with artists likeJames Blundell,James Reynesinging "Way Out West",and country starKasey Chamberswinning theARIA Award for Best Female Artistin 2000, 2002 and 2003 and becoming the youngest artist to ever be inducted into theARIA Hall of Fame.The daughter of steel guitaristBill Chambers,Kasey Chambers' hits include "Not Pretty Enough"(2002),"True Colours"(2003) and"Pony"(2004), which were all top ten hits in theARIA Charts.

The cross-over influence of Australian country is also evident in the music of successful contemporary bandsThe WaifsandThe John Butler Trio.Singer-songwriterPaul Kellywhose music style straddles folk, rock, and country is often described as the "poet laureate" of Australian music.[31]

Eclectic rockerNick Cavehas been heavily influenced by the US country music artistJohnny Cash.Cave has recorded a number of country covers including several on his 1986 albumKicking Against the Pricks,which has such well-known country classics as "By the Time I Get to Phoenix","Long Black Veil"and" The Singer "(a.k.a." The Folksinger "). In 2000, Cash, covered Cave's"The Mercy Seat"on the albumAmerican III: Solitary Man.Subsequently, Cave cut a duet with Cash on a version ofHank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"for Cash'sAmerican IV: The Man Comes Aroundalbum (2002).[32]

Popular and emerging contemporary performers of Australian country include:Lee Kernaghan(whose hits include the contemporary country classic "Boys From the Bush") and sisterTania Kernaghan,Melinda Schneider,Gina Jeffreys,Beccy Cole,Felicity Urquhart,Shannon Noll,Tracy Coster,Sara Storer,and brother Doug Storer.

Sara Storer's award-winning second albumBeautiful Circleprompted Melbourne'sThe Agenewspaper to report that "As we lament the death ofSlim Dusty,here is evidence that authentic, yet contemporary Australian bush country has not died with his passing ". Her Australian accent, song subject matter and collaborations with established balladeersJohn WilliamsonandPaul Kellylink her to the oldest traditions of Australian country music.

In the United States, Australian country music stars includingSherrié AustinandKeith Urbanhave attained great success. In 1991, Urban released aself-titled debut albumand charted four singles in Australia before moving to the United States in 1992 going on to chart more than fifteen singles on the US country charts, including ten number ones.[33]Urban has proven extremely successful internationally and has won theCountry Music Association Award for Male Vocalist of the Yearthree times and their topEntertainer of the Yearhonour twice.

Awards and festivals[edit]

Main article:List of country music festivals

TheTamworth Country Music Festivalis an annual country music festival held inTamworth, New South Wales.the country music capital of Australia. It celebrates the culture and heritage of Australian country music. During the festival theCountry Music Association of Australiaholds theCountry Music Awards of Australiaceremony awarding theGolden Guitartrophies and the Tamworth Songwriters Association hosts the annual Tamworth Songwriters Association Songwriting Awards. Another important Country festival, theGympie Musterbegan in nearGympie,Queenslandin 1982. The non-profit community-based festival raises funds for charity and attracts around 25,000 fans to listen to stars and new talents alike. As well as mainstream Australian country the event showcases the breadth of contemporary Australian country: from folk and bush poetry, toalternative country.[34]

Indigenous country music is in evidence at theDeadly Awards,a celebration of Indigenous musicians and their music.

TheMildura Country Music Festivalcelebrates theAustralian Independent Country Music Awardsevery October.

Other significant country music festivals include the Whittlesea Country Music Festival held north of Melbourne in February, Boyup Brook Country Music Festival held in Western Australian in February, Bamera Country Music Festival held in South Australia in June, the National Country Muster held in Gympie during August and theCanberra Country Music Festivalheld in the national capital during November. Some festivals are quite unique in their location: the Groundwater Country Music Festival is held beachside inBroadbeach,on the beautiful Gold Coast annually on the last weekend in July. Grabine State Park in New South Wales promotes Australian country music through the Grabine Music Muster Festival; Marilyns Country Music Festival is a unique event held in South Australia'sSmoky Bayannually in September and is the only music festival in the world using an oyster barge as a stage.

Along with the festivals above, there are also event that include country music such as Musters, Field Days and rural shows.

Media[edit]

Australian country music is promoted heavily through dedicated media outlets in Australia including:

Television[edit]

Radio[edit]

Planet Country with Big Stu & MJwas a Sydney-based program, defunct since 2020; past programs are available onpodcastservices.[40])

Print[edit]

  • Country Update(magazine)[41]
  • Country Capital News(magazine)[42]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"Australian country music - Australia's Culture Portal".Archived fromthe originalon 17 February 2011.Retrieved1 February2011.
  2. ^"The Australian Bush Balladeers Association Inc".Bushballadeers.com.au.Archivedfrom the original on 15 February 2017.Retrieved29 September2017.
  3. ^ab"Bush songs and music - Australia's Culture Portal".Archived fromthe originalon 6 April 2011.Retrieved9 October2010.
  4. ^"A Tribute to Tex Morton".Historyofcountrymusic.com.au.Archivedfrom the original on 26 September 2017.Retrieved29 September2017.
  5. ^"A Tribute to Smoky Dawson".Historyofcountrymusic.com.au.Archivedfrom the original on 11 October 2017.Retrieved29 September2017.
  6. ^Eric Watson,Country Music in Australia(Rodeo Publications, 1975) p.111-120
  7. ^McWhirter, Ross; McWhirter, Norris (29 September 1972)."Guinness Book of World Records".Sterling Publishing Company.Archivedfrom the original on 9 January 2021.Retrieved27 August2017.
  8. ^Russell, Alan; McWhirter, Norris D. (29 September 1987).The Guinness book of records 1988.Guinness Superlatives.ISBN9780851128689.Archivedfrom the original on 13 August 2021.Retrieved27 August2017.
  9. ^Dave "Laing,"Slim Dusty: Country singer famous for A Pub With No Beer"Archived4 November 2021 at theWayback Machine,The Guardian,20 September 2003
  10. ^ab"Slim Dusty – Chronicler of the Bush".Historyofcountrymusic.com.au.Archivedfrom the original on 29 October 2010.Retrieved29 September2017.
  11. ^"A Tribute to Reg Lindsay".Historyofcountrymusic.com.au.Archivedfrom the original on 9 October 2017.Retrieved29 September2017.
  12. ^"Reg Lindsay, country great, takes final bow - Local News - News - General - the Canberra Times".Archived fromthe originalon 7 August 2008.Retrieved1 February2011.
  13. ^Country music star Reg Lindsay diesArchived2 November 2012 at theWayback Machine,Sydney Morning Herald,6 August 2008.
  14. ^"It's an Honour – Honours – Search Australian Honours".Itsanhonour.gov.au.Archivedfrom the original on 30 September 2017.Retrieved29 September2017.
  15. ^"JOHN WILLIAMSON - About John - John Williamson Official Site".Archived fromthe originalon 19 August 2009.Retrieved13 October2010.
  16. ^"The famous Bicentenary Show on Tamworth".History of country music.Archivedfrom the original on 14 October 2017.Retrieved29 September2017.
  17. ^"Cover Story: Pop's Hottest Pipes – Vol. 3 No. 7".People.com.24 February 1975.Archivedfrom the original on 2 February 2014.Retrieved29 September2017.
  18. ^"Artist: Brian Young".SecondHandSongs.2 September 1935.Retrieved25 January2024.
  19. ^abc"Brian Young OAM".LBS Music Group Australia.Retrieved25 January2024.
  20. ^abc"Brian Young".History of Australian music from 1960 until 2000.5 December 2021.Retrieved25 January2024.
  21. ^ab"Australian folk music".Culture.gov.au.Archived fromthe originalon 17 February 2011.Retrieved11 October2010.
  22. ^Ryan, Robin."Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music [Book Review."2001.The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education,vol. 29, no. 1, Cambridge University Press, 2001, pp. 43–48, viaInformit.
  23. ^Walker, Clinton(2000). "Stand by your man".Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music.Pluto Press. pp. 164–183.ISBN1-86403-152-2.
  24. ^Ryan, Robin (2003). "Gumleaves or Paper Roses: Australian Aboriginal country". In Philip Hayward (ed.).Outback & Urban: Australian Country Music. volume 1.aicmPress.
  25. ^ab"CD: Buried country: the story of Aboriginal country music, original film soundtrack".Australian Music Centre.Retrieved3 November2022.
  26. ^"Album".Buried Country.Retrieved3 November2022.
  27. ^"Indigenous country music".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.28 October 2021.Retrieved4 November2022.
  28. ^Clinton Walker(2000).Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music.Sydney: Pluto Press. p. 323.ISBN1-86403-152-2.
  29. ^Kirkbright, Christopher J. (2000).Study Guide: Buried Country: the story of Aboriginal country music(PDF).Film Australia. p. 73.ISBN1-86403-152-2.Archived(PDF)from the original on 29 July 2008.Retrieved11 October2008.
  30. ^"How the CMAA was born".Historyofcountrymusic.com.au.Archivedfrom the original on 14 October 2017.Retrieved29 September2017.
  31. ^"Civics | Paul Kelly (1955–)".Archived fromthe originalon 2 June 2011.Retrieved29 January2011.
  32. ^Cave, Nick (13 September 2003)."I saw music could be a beautiful, evil thing, while my parents shifted uncomfortably".The Guardian.London.Archivedfrom the original on 4 November 2021.Retrieved14 December2016.
  33. ^"Country".Countrymusic.about.com.Archivedfrom the original on 25 February 2012.Retrieved29 September2017.
  34. ^"The Gympie Muster".Historyofcountrymusic.com.au.Archivedfrom the original on 14 October 2017.Retrieved29 September2017.
  35. ^Knox, David (4 May 2020)."Foxtel overhauls music channels".TV Tonight.Retrieved25 January2024.
  36. ^"Triple M Country".Triple M.26 June 2022.Retrieved25 January2024.
  37. ^"Home".Todays Country 94One.Retrieved25 January2024.
  38. ^"Murri Country".Murri Country.15 September 2023.Retrieved25 January2024.
  39. ^"Home".Australian Country Radio.Retrieved25 January2024.
  40. ^Planet Countryon iheart
  41. ^Australian country musiconFacebook
  42. ^"Home".Country Music Capital News.Retrieved25 January2024.

External links[edit]

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