Karl Stefanovic in an uncontrollable fit of laughter after hearing that the two politicians were trying their hand at country music
Karl Stefanovic in an uncontrollable fit of laughter after hearing that the two politicians were trying their hand at country music
Karl Stefanovic in an uncontrollable fit of laughter after hearing that the two politicians were trying their hand at country music

2 March, 2015. 11:30

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | [email protected]

Political commentators and Australian country music fans are up in arms this morning after it has been revealed that former independent MP Tony Windsor and the current member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, have teamed up to release a Slim Dusty tribute album.

Both men appeared on Channel Nine’s Today Show this morning to unveil their new collaboration. Something that they say has been a long time coming.

“Slim Dusty was just as important to the people of the New England area (North NSW) as he was to the people in Far-North Queensland” An excited Bob Katter told Karl Stefanovic

“Anyone from the bush can appreciate what this man has done for agriculture and Outback Australia in general”

The "Cattle Camp Crooner" Slim Dusty. A personal hero of both Katter and Windsor
The “Cattle Camp Crooner” Slim Dusty – A personal hero of both Katter and Windsor

A live cross with both the political heavyweights in the early hours this morning ended in hilarity as Karl struggled to control himself upon hearing the news that both men were preparing to release a three-CD-box-set of Slim Dusty covers.

“Look, I can understand Tony trying his hand at country music… he’s a semi-retired farmer,” said Karl.

“But Bob… you are still a member of parliament. How on earth did you find the time to do this?

“More so, how did you expect the public would react when they found out you had spent the last six months in a Tamworth studio playing guitar and singing bush ballads”

Bob Katter, on the phone with some of his ringer mates from the 'Curry (Cloncurry, QLD)
Bob Katter, on the phone with some of his ringer mates from the ‘Curry (Cloncurry, QLD)

This was met with a stern and snappy response by Tony Windsor, who was crossing live from his family home in Werris Creek.

“Watch your tongue, Karl. This is far more important to the people of Australia than you may think”

“Bob has spent a lot of time with James Blundell (former KAP candidate and notable Australian country musician), he knows his stuff. We started talking about this years ago. Back when we had the balance of power.”

“We realised back then just how important we are. Australians listen to what we have to say… So obviously we took the chance to educate them on the greatest Australian singer/songwriter that ever lived”

Bob Katter and James Blundell, discussing the intricates of country music
Bob Katter and James Blundell, discussing the intricates of country music

The album, which is due for an April release, has been touted as the most controversial collaboration in the history of Australian Country Music.

Titled “Songs That Are Enjoyed By Independent Politicians” – both men state that the album is a result of thousands of hours slaving in the studio – with help from many different country musicians and political identities along the way.

However, the men weren’t being taken as seriously as they would have liked.

Karl Stefanovic could not help but break into hysterical laughter after a live rendition of “Three Rivers Hotel”

“[Laughter] I’m sorry Gentlemen, but this is absolutely ridiculous. I can’t believe what you are telling us,”

“This thing took six months to make? and now you are planning a tour!?”

"Songs that are enjoyed by independent politicians" is set to take the Tamworth Country Music Festival by storm
“Songs that are enjoyed by independent politicians” is set to take the Tamworth Country Music Festival by storm

In response to Stefanovic’s condescending tone, Bob Katter didn’t hesitate to tell the Channel Nine journalist just what he thought of “people like him”

“Karl, I’m going to remain as calm as possible here. But you know me very well. You’ve been to my place, we’ve been in the pub together, we’ve been to church together… we’ve even shot clay pigeons together…”

“You should know that both Tony and I are the absolute authority when it comes to regional Australia. Forget Barnaby, forget the lot of them. We are the voice of these people and we communicate their feelings to the smug, city-dwellers like yourself,”

“Right now, Australian country music is in dire straits. The people are concerned. Lee Kernaghan is old news, Keith Urban sounds like he grew up in Nashville. The people need a new Slim Dusty and they need one real soon,”

“We are both filling that void until someone else comes along. Have a listen to our album and you’ll understand.”

The interview, which was broadcast live at 6:30 AM this morning, has since been taken down from the Channel Nine website after numerous threats from die-hard fans of the late Slim Dusty. One angry punter took to twitter to describe his anger at Karl’s “disgusting” attitude towards the greatest Australian bush poet.

“If I see Karl make one more jab at Uncle Slim… I’ll be getting the next Countrylink train from Walgett to Central, transferring to the North Shore line, getting off at Willoughby and flogging the shit out of him on set.”

The entire tracklist for “Songs That Are Enjoyed By Independent Politicians”

Name Artist Time Price
1

Looking Forward Looking Back Bob Katter & Tony Windsor 3:03 $2.19 View In iTunes
2

A Pub With No Beer Tony Windsor 3:00 $2.19 View In iTunes
3

Lights On the Hill Bob Katter featuring Peter Garrett 3:05 $2.19 View In iTunes
4

The Biggest Disappointment Bob Katter & Tony Abbott 3:04 $2.19 View In iTunes
5

Three Rivers Hotel Bob Katter & Tony Windsor 3:22 $2.19 View In iTunes
6

Ringer From the Top End Bob Katter featuring Robbie Katter 2:32 $2.19 View In iTunes
7

Where Country Is Bob Katter featuring Nick Xenophone 3:49 $2.19 View In iTunes
8

Leave Him In the Long Yard Tony Windsor featuring Barnaby Joyce 2:56 $2.19 View In iTunes
9

Plains of Peppimenarti Bob Katter & Tony Windsor featuring Lee Kernaghen 3:13 $2.19 View In iTunes
10

Duncan (Tunza) Bob Katter & Tony Windsor 2:35 $2.19 View In iTunes
11

Charleville Bob Katter featuring Jimmy Barnes 3:05 $2.19 View In iTunes
12

Indian Pacific (NBN blues) Bob Katter featuring Malcolm Turnbull 3:30 $2.19 View In iTunes
13

Sweeney (Live) Bob Katter & Tony Windsor 3:14 $2.19 View In iTunes
14

G’day G’day Bob Katter & Tony Windsor featuring Jaqui Lambie 3:10 $2.19 View In iTunes
15

Walk a Country Mile (Backwards from Bourke) Bob Katter & Tony Windsor & Christine Milne 2:52 $2.19 View In iTunes
16

When the Rain Tumbles Down In July (you bastards will understand how serious drought is) Bob Katter & Tony Windsor 2:41 $2.19 View In iTunes
17

I’m Going Back Again To Yarrawonga (Live) Bob Katter & Tony Windsor 1:32 $2.19 View In iTunes
18

Old Time Country Halls Bob Katter & Tony Windsor & Ricky Muir 2:33 $2.19 View In iTunes
19

Camooweal Bob Katter & Tony Windsor 4:13 $2.19 View In iTunes
20

We’ve Done Us Proud Bob Katter and the KAP 4:31 $2.19 View In iTunes
21

Country Revival Bob Katter & Tony Windsor & Clive Palmer 2:18 $2.19 View In iTunes
22

Cunnamulla Fella Tony Windsor featuring Bruce Scott 2:12 $1.69 View In iTunes
23

By a Fire of Gidgee Coal Bob Katter & Tony Windsor 2:59 $2.19 View In iTunes
24

Losin’ My Blues Tonight (Live) Bob Katter & Tony Windsor & Abbott 3:20 $2.19 View In iTunes
25

Waltzing Matilda Bob Katter & Tony Windsor, featuring 360 3:26 $2.19 View In iTunes

 

 

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