SMOKY DAWSON

Smoky Dawson AM MBE (19 March 1913 – 13 February 2008) born as Hebert Henry Brown was an Australian country music performer and legendary entertainer. He was widely touted as Australia's first singing cowboy complete with yodel, in the style of Gene Autry. Dawson had an extraordinary long and prolific career, releasing his first single in 1941 and his last album in 2005, aged 92, making him the world's oldest recording artist (although now surpassed by the forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn). The Powerhouse Museum described him as "a singer, showman, songwriter, scriptwriter, knife and double-headed axe thrower and all-round performer who has lived a long-life entertaining audience. Through his radio serials, comic books and songs he created the persona of a happy-go-lucky singing cowboy".

 

In 1985, he published his autobiography, Smoky Dawson: A Life. In 1989. Smoky Dawson crowned Jean Stafford (musician) Australia's Queen of Country Music. He entertained fans and was a staple of the music industry, right up until his death in 2008, a month before his 95th birthday and marched annually in the national ANZAC day commemorations. For his service to country music, Dawson was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (December 1982), a Member of the Order of Australia (January 1999) and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005.

SINGLES

''I'm A Happy-Go-Lucky Cowhand / Will I Meet Old Faithful Up Yonder'' 1941 Regal Zonophone
''The Old Log Cabin On The Mountain Trail / The Sound Effects Cowboy'' 1941 Regal Zonophone''Cob The Corn / Never Been To Gundagai'' 1942 Regal Zonophone
''Just A Sprig Of Golden Wattle / Where The Waterfall Leaps In The Gully'' 1945 Regal Zonophone
'' Ridin' Down The Dream Trail / Yearning For "Over Range" 1945 Regal Zonophone
''Cowboys Round-Up Song / You Left Me And Now I Feel Blue'' 1945 Regal Zonophone
''New Wabash Cannon Ball / Hills Of The Golden West'' 1952 Regal Zonophone
''The Man From Never Never / Smoky {That Wild Stallion Grand}'' 1952 Regal Zonophone
''The Wild Colonial Boy / Starlight Rides Again'' 1952 Regal Zonophone
''On The Murray Valley / Cullenbenbong'' 1953 Regal Zonophone
'' Riding With A Smile And A Song / Jindawarrabell'' 1954 Regal Zonophone
'' Mr. Moon /Unwanted Sign Upon Your Heart'' 1954 Regal Zonophone
''Grannie's Song At Twilight / The Ghost Of Ben Hall'' 1958 Columbia
''Call Me Back Pal O' Mine / Treasure'' 1958 Columbia
''I'm Lonesome For You, Caroline / Friendship (Golden Friendship)'' 1959 Columbia
''Only A Leaf / Be Careful'' Columbia 1959
''Fire Fighting Man / Fierce Red Steer'' 1978
''The Out-House Down The Back / The Dingo'' ATA 1983
''John Durack / Hero From The West'' ATA 1983
''Days Of Old Khancoban / The Last Of The Old Wild West Shows'' [with Trevor Knight] 1987 Jade
''High Country / Farewell To A Bush Boy'' [with Trevor Knight] 1988 EMI
'' The Bombs Fell Down On Darwin / The Lad With The Laughing Eyes'' [with Trevor Knight] 1989 EMI
''Old Soldiers Never Forget / Memories Of Pinnibar'' [with Tony Taunton, The Howie Bros] 1987 Jade

ALBUMS

The Smoky Dawson Story' 1963 Festival'Smoky - 20 Western Favourites' 1976 Dyna House
Ya Darn Right It's Country' 1980 RCA
'I'll Paint You A Song' 1984 Powderworks
' High Country' [with Trevor Knight] 1988 EMI
'Homestead Of My Dreams' 2005 Origin
'Smoky Dawson With The Howie Brothers' Glenample

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Dawson