RIP Slim Dusty

[WallabyTed]

You're right, Justmy. Sad times are upon us. First, Johnny, then Sheb, and now Slim. Seems evens these lousy times come in threes.
news.ninemsn.com.au/National/story_51818.asp
For those of you who aren't aware, Slim Dusty is acknowledged as the father of country music down here. I guess our equiv. of Jimmie Rodgers or Hank.
Vale, Slim.
On this unpleasant note, Justmy, I just wanted to add: I've never been hit so hard by the death of an artist as I was by that of Johnny Cash. I didn't realise the impact that Johnny and his music had on my life until he was gone. Johnny introduced me to American Country Music. Many memories from my childhood, teen years and early adult came flooding back in. I'm not too proud to admit that I shed a tear. I was shattered. I spent two days playing his music alone. Then I recovered, but away from country. I bought and played the album by excellent Canadian jazz singer, Michael Buble - a real talent.

[tcb]

Oh Ted : ( I'm so sorry ---- that is such sad news! I'll be sure to add a couple of his tunes to TCB Radio is his honor -- I know what a mainstay he was to Australia's music scene.....

You're so right about the impact of Johnny's passing -- don't think I'm quite settled about it yet either....

Haven't heard of Michael - amazing how you folks here about Canadian's before we do

[WallabyTed]

Yep. I found out early. Very sad, Justmy. The newspapers are covered in it this morning. They say:` An Australian didn't die....Australia died.' The Prime Minister has paid tribute to Slim and his family. Slim is being given a State Funeral - a fitting tribute for our greatest country music icon.....a great tribute to country music too. Slim will be sadly missed. Like Hank, Slim took the essence of life and put it to words. There'll be a huge void in Tamworth next year. Like George Jones once sang: `who's gonna fill their shoes'.
I'll post about Michael Buble on The Basement. I'm really surprised you haven't heard of him

[WallabyTed]

A real tribute to Country Music today. The first ever State Funeral for an entertainer down here. The city is stopped, two Channels have it on National TV...and, they say, it is televised wordwide. Kasey and Troy will be singing. Loads of artists.
Gotta go now. The service is kicking off. I'll revert later.

[tcb]

Thoughts are with you Ted....

[WallabyTed]

Thanks, Justmy. Young Spinifex is getting real upset right now.

[WallabyTed]

news.ninemsn.com.au/Entertainment/story_37172.asp
A scoop for TCB here, Justmy.
The Service has just finished. The cavalcade is moving through the streets of Sydney to the strains of a number of Slim's hits.
All seats of St.Andrews Cathedral in Sydney were filled as the crowd spilled over, by their hundreds, into nearby Sydney Square. A huge screen was erected in the square so the overflow could view the Service. Those in attendance were headed by our Prime Minister, John Howard.
Eulogies were given by Slim's son, David, and Slim's daughter and fellow artist, Anne Kirkpatrick. Anne cited Jimmie Rodgers, Tex Morton and Henry Lawson as Slim's biggest influences.
Anne followed on video singing `Travelling Still....Always Will'. `Midnight Oil' lead singer, Peter Garrett then paid tribute to Slim's contribution to Australian heritage and to Aborigines. Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley and the band followed with a rendition of `Walk A Country Mile'.
John Williamson then spoke on Slim's contribution to Country Music, followed by a video of Slim singing `Do You Think That I Do Not Know', a favourite of Slim's by Henry Lawson.
Patriotic millionaire businessman, Dick Smith, spoke on Slim's contribution to Australiana and his country. This was followed by a reading of Psalm 23 by a representative of the Salvation Army.
Graeme Connors then led the singing of `Amazing Grace'.
This was followed by a reading from Matthew. The Minister then led the whole congregation singing Slim's biggest No. 1 hit, `A Pub With No Beer'. This led to the sermon, firstly relating to the Wedding without Wine and then to Jesus' saving work on the cross. The Minister then spoke of Slim's songs and their constant relationship to mateship (friendship). He advised how only sin and death can destroy this mateship, and how Jesus destroyed sin and death on the cross.
The sermon was followed by a duet from Lee Kernaghan and Ken Gillard - `The Old Rugged Cross'.
The whole congregation gave a prayer of thanksgiving for Slim's contribution to their lives, and reflected on Slim's own life.
The sound of an air force jet flyover boomed as a video of Slim singing `Looking Forward.....Looking Back' was screened.
The pallbearers bore Slim's coffin from the church to the strains of Slim singing `The Travellers Prayer'.
As the coffin reached the church entrance, the music changed to Slim's singing `Waltzing Matilda'. The crowds in the street gave a mighty cheer.
Yep, as sure as the words of Banjo Paterson and Christina MacPerson...`his ghost may be heard'. Yep, `was' heard and `will' continue to be heard.
It has been said down here that Slim didn't sing country music, he WAS country music.....that Slim's music wasn't Australian, it WAS Australia. It is a tribute to Slim that his efforts are largely reponsible for our links to our heritage and the standing that country music has down here. Without Slim's outstanding contribution, it is very, very possible that country music here may even have died....instead, it is now a genre of some significance with the jewel in the crown, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, one of the world's premier music events.
Vale, Slim Dusty. Thanks for everything.

[WallabyTed]

An even better one:
www.countryragepage.com/slimdusty.htm
Trying to get my mitts on a copy of `The Lights On The Hill' - a duet recorded about 12 years ago by Slim and a young Keith Urban, Justmy. It's a ripper.

[tcb]

WallabyTed said:

An even better one:
www.countryragepage.com/slimdusty.htm
Trying to get my mitts on a copy of `The Lights On The Hill' - a duet recorded about 12 years ago by Slim and a young Keith Urban, Justmy. It's a ripper.

I actually have the on the playlist for the radio Ted -- great song!

[WallabyTed]

Hey, you're one step ahead of me, Justmy. I'll have to check it out. It's a ripper.