SHORTY RANGER

Shorty Ranger (Edwin Haberfield) was born on 9 October 1925, in Kempsey, New South Wales, He grew up on the adjoining farm at Nulla Nulla Creek to that occupied by the family of Slim Dusty. After first meeting at school, they became firm friends with a mutual love of music. Especially attracted to the songs and yodels that they heard on the recordings of artists such as Wilf Carter and Tex Morton, they aimed at a singing career. They learned to play guitar and, performing as a duo, at one time briefly as Buddy Bluebird and Buddy Blackbird, they entertained in their local area. During the 40s, they toured further afield, including Adelaide and Sydney, without lasting success. Although their careers separated in 1951, their friendship continued throughout the years. Shorty gained recognition and a recording contract with Rodeo Records that year, by virtue of his appearance on a national talent show organized by Tim McNamara, and Slim went on to international stardom.

Shorty married in 1952 and the following year, when the first of four sons and two daughters arrived, he decided to concentrate on his family. From the mid-50s through to the early 70s, limiting his personal appearances, he made some recordings but mainly concentrated on his songwriting. In 1969, the legendary Australian singer Buddy Williams, who recorded almost 50 of Shorty’s songs, released a tribute album called Buddy And Shorty. After 1973, with his family grown, he became more active both as a performer and recording artist. He released six albums on Hadley and later a series of 12 on his own Wildwood label. During the late 80s, he suffered a stroke and also a period of ill health as a result of poisoning from pest control chemicals. He survived and in 1989, he won the Songmaker Of The Year award at the prestigious Tamworth Country Music Awards. In 1992, he celebrated 50 years of country by appearing on stage with old friend Slim Dusty. His health caused concern again in August 1994, which led to a brief hospital stay. In October, he was involved in a serious road accident, but by December, he was working on his first CD release.

Since 1942, Shorty Ranger wrote over 360 other songs, many of which have been recorded by other artists. ‘Winter Winds’, written in 1943, is undoubtedly the best known, owing to its use as his signature tune and to Slim Dusty’s 1957 recording of it. The song, now rated as an Australian country classic, won Shorty a gold award in 1992. Over the years, he received many other awards including a Golden Guitar. He was honoured several times as a Pioneer Of Country Music in Australia and in 1993, he was elected to the Australian Country Music Roll of Renown. He died in 2007.

SINGLES

''Ballad Of Port Macquarie / Pretty Port Macquarie By The Sea'' 1977 Hadley
''Big Cow Blues / Heart Of The Sunshine Coast'' 1978 Hadley
''When The Pub Got The Beer / Tamblin' Guitar'' 1986 Wildwood
''Little Red Bonnet / Buddy's Song'' 1987 Wildwood

''The Cradle Of Country Music / Winter Winds'' 1993 Wildwood

ALBUMS
'The Man From Nulla Nulla' 1976 Hadley

'Sugarloaf Mountain Country' 1978 Hadley

'From Bullock Teams To Diesel' 1980 Hadley

'A Tribute To Wilf Carter' 1982 Hadley

'38 Years Of Country Music' 1983 Hadley

'The Land Where Time Stands Still' 1985 Wildwood

'I'm In Love With The Country' 1987 Wildwood

'Driftin' Along With A Song' 1988 Wildwood

'True Country Style' 1990 Wildwood

'Wildwood Country Gospel' 1991 Wildwood
'The Men From Nulla Nulla - Reunited And Revisited 1991 EMI
'Ridin' The Trail To My Home' 1992 Wildwood

'Take Me Back To The Country' 1993 Wildwood

'My Kinda Country Music' 1993 Wildwood

'My Wildwood Country Songs' 1996 Wildwood

'Shorty and Friends' 1996 Hadley

'My Sugarloaf Mountain Home' 1998 Wildwood

'True Country Style' 1999 Wildwood

'Singing On The Mountain' 2000 Wildwood
' Hand Me Down My Old Guitar' 2001 Wildwood
' 50 Years Of True Country Music' 2005 Wildwood
'Heaven Country Style' date unknown Wildwood
' Hillbilly Memories' date unknown Wildwood
'The Bush Balladeer' date unknown Wildwood

References

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/shorty-ranger-mn0000462993