Over the course of his career, he collected more gold and platinum albums than any other Australian artist.
Dusty not only recorded songs written by himself and other fellow Australian performers, but also recorded classic Australian poems by Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson with new tunes, to call attention to the old 'Bush Ballads.' An example is The Man from Snowy River by Paterson.
In 1970, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music. In 1971 he won Best Single at the Australian Country Music Awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival (Slim's wife Joy McKean won Song of the Year as writer of the song for which he won best single). In all, he won a record 35 "Golden Guitars" over the years.
He died at home in St Ives, New South Wales on 19 September 2003 after a protracted battle with cancer, at age 76.
The Slim Dusty Story started back in the 1940s on a remote dairy farm in the hills behind Kempsey, NSW, when a 10-year-old boy dreamed of being a country music singer. His name was David Gordon Kirkpatrick... he called himself "Slim Dusty" and began to live that dream.
But even the most optimistic farm boy would never have imagined the life that was to unfold... a life that would establish Slim as the voice of the nation, the chronicler of Australian history in song.
Slim managed to hold on to those early visions of writing and singing about the bush because during his lengthy career, he always stayed in touch with his audience. And he did this in a very real and meaningful way, so much so that his fans would feel that Slim was one of their mates and his songs "just a good yarn you might hear from a mate at the pub, around a campfire in the bush or at a back yard barbie".
He described his music as "songs about real Australians... "I have to be fair dinkum with my audience. I can't see any other way of doing it," he said. "You have to believe in what you are singing about."
Slim Dusty was the first Australian to have a number one hit record and the only Australian to ever receive a 78rpm Gold Record (for A Pub With No Beer in 1958)...
He was the first Australian to have an international record hit and the first singer in the world to have his voice beamed to earth from space (astronauts Bob Crippen and John Young played Slim's recording of Waltzing Matilda from the space shuttle "Columbia" as it passed over Australia back in 1983).
During an amazingly successful career spanning over six decades, Slims' continued popularity saw him rewarded with more Gold and Platinum Awards for sales of his singles, eight-tracks, cassettes, CD's, videos and DVDs... more than any other Australian artist!
He received an unequaled 37 Golden Guitar Awards, two ARIA's (Australian Recording Industry Association awards), inductions into the ARIA Hall of Fame and the Australian Country Music Roll of Renown.
Slim was recognized for his long time services to Australian entertainment with an MBE and an Order of Australia. In 1999, Prime Minister John Howard named Slim Dusty Australia's Father of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year. There were many other awards and honors... too many to name here!
Dusty died at his home in St Ives, New South Wales on 19 September 2003 at the age of 76, after a protracted battle with cancer.
Old Time Country Halls
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear the walls of this old hall - you've done this thing too long
You know you've been around for years, I guess you've shown us all
I talk like this when I reminisce with an old time country hall
I joined a tent show as a kid with a dream and an old guitar
The Silvers All-Star Cavalcade and Dandy was the star
He taught me lots about the game, today I understand
He was a great magician, Dandy was a fine old man
I'm an old time dinosaur
Hey, let me sing where the rafters ring
In an old time country hall, that's right
I've been on the road for thirty years but Dandy could double that
And you'll find his faded poster still in some hall way out back
I like to go back stage and dream sometimes and just recall
The shows I've had, the good and bad, shared with these country halls
Take the old Town Hall Kalgoorlie with it's old time charm and grace
And your mounting million complexes never will replace
All glass and steal and concrete, some large and some too small
So let me sing where the rafters ring in an old time country hall, hey
We showed last night in the school of arts and the town was real run-down
You'll find so many towns like that today as you move around
Yeah, the wind of change is blowin' up such an economic low
The old time shows we used to know will soon be off the road
I'm a howlin' cattle-hand crooner
I'm an old time dinosaur
Hey, let me sing where the rafters ring
In an old time country hall
In an old time country hall
In an old time country hall
Slim Dusty's song "Old Time Country Halls" is a tribute to the classic Aussie country music halls that have been a cornerstone of Australian culture for years. As he picks up his guitar to sing his latest song, he reminisces about his long and successful career, which has spanned decades. As he looks around the old hall, he realizes that he's "done this thing too long" and has been "around for years." He speaks fondly of the old-time country halls and how they have shaped his musical journey.
Slim Dusty begins by recalling his days as a kid with a dream and an old guitar when he worked at the Silvers All-Star Cavalcade. He reminisces about his mentor Dandy, who was the star of the show and taught him a lot about the game. From Dandy, Slim Dusty learned how to be a great magician, and Dandy was a fine old man. He then introduces himself as a "howlin' cattle-hand crooner" and an "old-time dinosaur," remarking that he is always eager to sing where the rafters ring.
As he continues to reminisce, he mentions the Old Town Hall Kalgoorlie, an old-time country hall with its old-time charm and grace, which he believes no large, glass and steel or concrete mall will ever replace. Slim Dusty notes that the wind of change is blowing; the old-time country shows will soon be off the road. The song ends with a nostalgic and heartfelt reference to the old-time halls, expressed beautifully in the final line of the song: "In an old-time country hall."
Overall, Slim Dusty's "Old Time Country Halls" is both a tribute to the classic Aussie country music halls and a reflection on his own journey, from his days as a young kid with an old guitar to his long and successful career.
Line by Line Meaning
As I pick up my guitar to sing another song
As I prepare to share my music with an audience
I hear the walls of this old hall - you've done this thing too long
I feel the history and stories that this old country hall has heard and seen over the years
You know you've been around for years, I guess you've shown us all
You've been the gathering place for generations of locals, showcasing talent and offering community events
I talk like this when I reminisce with an old time country hall
I speak nostalgically about the memories and experiences I've had in these beloved halls
I joined a tent show as a kid with a dream and an old guitar
I started my musical career early on, taking my humble guitar on the road with a traveling show
The Silvers All-Star Cavalcade and Dandy was the star
I performed in a touring group called The Silvers All-Star Cavalcade, where I learned from the talented Dandy, the star of the group
He taught me lots about the game, today I understand
Dandy provided me with valuable lessons in the entertainment industry, helping me navigate and succeed in my career
He was a great magician, Dandy was a fine old man
Dandy was not only a skilled performer, but also a kind and respected elder in the industry
I'm a howlin' cattle-hand crooner
I am a singer known for my unique voice and rugged, cowboy aesthetic
I'm an old time dinosaur
I am a veteran of the industry, and proud to uphold the traditions of classic country music
Hey, let me sing where the rafters ring
Allow me to perform in a venue where my music can truly be appreciated and celebrated
In an old time country hall, that's right
In these classic, beloved halls that hold so much history and meaning for me and my fans
I've been on the road for thirty years but Dandy could double that
Although I've been traveling and performing for three decades, Dandy was even more experienced and knowledgeable in the industry
And you'll find his faded poster still in some hall way out back
His legacy lives on even after his passing, with reminders of his contributions and impact still visible in older venues
I like to go back stage and dream sometimes and just recall
In moments of reflection, I enjoy revisiting the stages and venues where I've played, reliving cherished memories and experiences
The shows I've had, the good and bad, shared with these country halls
These halls have been a witness to both my triumphs and struggles as a musician, and hold a special place in my heart
Take the old Town Hall Kalgoorlie with it's old time charm and grace
One example of a venue that I hold dear is the charming and elegant old Town Hall in Kalgoorlie
Your mounting million complexes never will replace
Despite the rise of newer and more modern performance spaces, nothing can compare to the unique and authentic experience of an old time country hall
All glass and steal and concrete, some large and some too small
These new venues lack the character and warmth of their older counterparts, and come in a range of sizes and styles
So let me sing where the rafters ring in an old time country hall, hey
I feel most at home and in my element when I'm performing in one of these beloved old halls, where the rafters echo with the sounds of the music
We showed last night in the school of arts and the town was real run-down
At a recent performance in a struggling town, the community showed up and supported us despite their hardships
You'll find so many towns like that today as you move around
Sadly, many towns across the country are facing difficult times, with declining populations and economic struggles
Yeah, the wind of change is blowin' up such an economic low
The country is going through a tough time, with economic hardship and uncertainty affecting many aspects of life
The old time shows we used to know will soon be off the road
As the entertainment industry changes and evolves, it's possible that classic country shows like mine will become less common and eventually disappear
In an old time country hall
However, for now, I will continue to cherish and celebrate these old time country halls, where I got my start and still feel most at home as a performer
Contributed by Bella W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kerryknight623
I meat slim many many times humble man there onley One slim thay can try Sing there heart out not the same there only one slim
@kerryknight623
Good one u slim Ur songs still playing 🌹🌹♥️♥️🌹🌹
@kerryknight623
I grue up with slim I was 7 yrs I’m a bit older now I miss him love u slim
@kerryknight623
Go slim miss rip slim
@debbielightfoot-dehamer6330
I had just the best time dancing with my Dad at the Broadwater hall with my best friend.
He taught me so well I went onto Compition Ball Room. Which is far from today's Media programming.
Thanks Dad.
@GeoffHyde
Good on you Slim. Thanks for the memories!😎
@mrniceguy9086
I'm glad I grew up listening to slim dusty thank you Dad for making me listening this legend
@rodneyperry6942
He'd fit right in at the Ryman in Nashville. I wish I'd known about him sooner
@miriamchungulla8045
My dad love slim so do I. Slim dusty old Aussie king. Country music.
@malachiwex4622
This song could never get old