CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
An entire extended family of Betootan Blackfellas have today sat patiently through Gran’s story about the time she met Uncle Slim Dusty at old hall concert in the late 70s.
“He was just like that in real life” she says, pointing to the framed photo of the iconic Australian country musician that sits above the Worcestershire Sauce and SAXA salt on top of the kitchen fridge.
“I’ve never listened to any country music since then. Except for Dolly”
As is a common occurrence in many blackfella households around the country, the iconic Slim Dusty is essentially considered an honorary Murri – considering it’s quite clear that he’s not black, but he’s not just any old whitefella.
As is evident in his legacy of the unequalled 38 Golden Guitar awards, Slim Dusty is recognised as one of the earliest public figures in post-White Australia that had the ability to unite both black and white audiences, with his now canonised ballads about love and life on the land.
In fact, when it comes to white crooners, she says the only one who comes close is Uncle Paul [Kelly].
According to Gran, none of the thousands of Australian guitarists that came after Slim Dusty – except for Paul, Dan, Kev and Archie – can even compare to the dulcet tones of the 100-album country artist from Kempsey.
