DON GRESHAM

 

Don Gresham was born in 1931 in Murwillumbah, New South Wales. After leaving school, he worked in the rural industry and developed a strong interest in country music. His musical influences included Buddy Williams, Tex Morton, Ernest Tubb, and Gene Autry. Inspired after attending a Buddy Williams concert, Don's father bought him a Tex Morton guitar. He learned to play through correspondence lessons and went on to pursue a career in country music. In 1965, he recorded his first EP on the Sunset label.

Together with his wife, Noela, Don began publishing The Country Music Newsletter, a quarterly publication that promoted country music record releases. The newsletter was distributed throughout Australia and to subscribers in 12 countries. In 1974, Don established his own recording company, Koala Records, and during his career recorded more than 300 songs. Don and Noela also presented the first country music program on radio station 2NCR-FM, a show that ran for six years.

The United Nations designated 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons, with the aim of increasing awareness of the contributions people with disabilities make to the community and encouraging them to find their voice. As his contribution to the celebrations, Don wrote and recorded ''I Have Good Health''. Fellow artist Lynette Guest joined him on the recording, which expressed gratitude for good health while acknowledging those who faced health challenges. In 1985, Don was inducted into the Hands of Fame in Tamworth, recognising his contribution to Australian country music.

A passionate supporter of Australian wildlife, particularly the koala, Don released the single ''Little Koala / Save Our Koalas'' in 1988. All profits from sales were donated to the World Research Corporation's Koala Hospital at Coomera, Queensland. Don visited Canada in 1991 and again in 1997, where he appeared on Earl and Martha Heywood's Canadian Barn Dance Club. During his visits, he also met Wilf Carter on the legendary Canadian performer's final tour. Don Gresham died in October 2001, leaving behind a significant legacy as a recording artist, broadcaster, music promoter, and supporter of Australian wildlife.

SINGLES

''The Ballad Of Pam O'Neill / Daredevil Duncan'' 1980 Koala
''Ram Chandra / I Have Good Health'' [with Lynette Guest] 1981 Koala
''Little Koala / Save Our Koalas'' 1988 Koala

EPs

'No One Knows Who's Who' Tamex

'Don Gresham' 1971 Hadley
'A Country Music Special Number One' 1974 Koala
'Iddy Biddy Puddy Tat' 1975 Koala

'The Bundaberg Special' 1977 Koala

'Songs About Life' 1983 Koala

'A Woman's World' [with Noela Gresham] 1983 Koala

'The First Twenty Years' 1985 Koala

'I'd Do Anything For A Stubbie' 1985 Koala

'The Cat Came Back' [with Bernadette Kilden] 1986 Koala

ALBUMS

'Fun in the Country' 1976 Koala
'The Aussie Boy' 1976 Koala
'On the Not So Quiet Side' 1977 Koala
'Sugar Sweet Country' 1978 Koala
'Travelling The Country' 1980 Koala
'This Australia That I Love' [with Ken Robertson] 1980 Koala
'Three Rivers In The Sun' 1981 Koala
'Some Country Favourites' 1982 Koala
'The Great Aussie Train' 1983 Koala
'Number Ten' 1984 Koala

'Our Big Country Songs' 1987 Koala

'Country Folk Songs' 1988 Koala

'The Country Music Special' 1990 Koala

'The World Of Country Music' 1992 Koala

References

https://ehive.com/collections/200851/objects/1461183/don-gresham