DUSTY RANKIN

Dusty Rankin was born Roger Hogan February 8th February 1924, a few miles out of Birchip, Victoria. At 16 he began writing songs. His first song was “Little Log Cabin in the Plains.” At 19 Dusty learnt to play guitar and his technique came from a combination of studying chord charts on music sheets and watching Gene Autry movies. The old movies had close ups of Gene playing guitar which Dusty studied then copied. In 1946 Dusty decided definitely on a music career. He began with an appearance on Australia’s Amateur Hour and sang ''Where the Murrumbidgee Wends its Way''. He topped the poll and gained the foothold he needed in showbiz as a result, but before EMI would record him, he was told to gain more experience and become a little more widely known. He did so with a year performing with Skuthorpes Rodeo.

His voice won praise of no less a person than Dame Nellie Melba when she heard him sing in Melbourne. In 1948 EMI recorded Dusty in which cuts six sides with the Regal Zonophone label. His recordings are a success. One of the highest selling discs on Regal was ''Tell Me Tonight that You Still Love Me''.

Over the next 13 years he only cut four more sessions. His touring took him around Australia several times and he appeared on the Athol McCoy Show. His last EMI session included perhaps one of the best songs of its type ever written in Australia by Eddie Tapp – ''Come in Spinner''. In 1965 Dusty was persuaded to record twelve songs for Hadley Records that were to make up his first three extended play 45 vinyl records and subsequently a long play vinyl album. In 1970 he recorded 24 songs with just his own dobro guitar accompaniment in his own home for Hadley.

The recordings were returned to Tamworth, where backing was added in 1971 & 1973. These recordings were released on Hadley albums, 'The Country That I Love' in 1971 and 'A Portrait Of Dusty Rankin' in 1974. In 1980 Dusty recorded an album 'Sunset Valley Calling' on the Selection label and he was inducted into the Hands of Fame in Tamworth. In 1988 Dusty was presented with an "Australiana Golden Acoustic Guitar Bi-Centenary Award" acknowledging his contribution to Country Music, and he also appears in the "Avenue of Honour" in Berri, South Australia. In 1996 he was inducted into ‘The Roll of Renown’, Tamworth. The citizens of Birchip recognised Dusty's musical contribution to the town by erecting a plaque in Birchip's main street, Cumming Avenue. Dusty died in his hometown of Birchip on 24 Sep 2015. He was 91.

SINGLES

''Where The Murrumbridgee Wends Its Way / Going Back To Wyoming'' Regal Zonophone

''My Little Old Log Cabin on the Plains / Out on the Queensland Ranges'' 1950 Regal Zonophone
''The Auburn Station Outlaw / The Wanderer'' 1950 Regal Zonophone
''I'll Never Fall In Love Anymore / Going Back To My Little Western Home'' 1951 Regal Zonophone

''Roll Along Silv'ry Moon / Springtime In The Valley'' 1951 Regal Zonophone
''Come In, Spinner / Little Blue Eyes'' 1961 Columbia
''The Drifting Stockman / Redwing'' 1961 Columbia

EPs

'The Intimate Style Of Dusty Rankin' 1965 Hadley

'Family Bible' 1968 Hadley

'Smooth 'N' Country' 1968 Hadley

'Redwing' Columbia 1968

'Dusty Rankin & Bernadette' [with Bernadette Hogan] 1971 Hadley

 
ALBUMS
'The Country That I Love' 1971 Hadley

'A Portrait Of Dusty Rankin' 1974 Hadley

'Dusty Rankin Sings Family Bible' 1979 Hadley

'Sunset Valley Calling' 1980 Selection

'After 50 Years' [with Val Phelan] 1999 Hadley

References

http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com.au/Hands/Rankin_Dusty.htm