How Good It Is - celebrating 81 years of Slim Dusty Click here for the story
Lee to headline Slim tribute Click here for the story
Click here to download pdf with details including reservation form (713 kb)
Click here to download reservation form only (56 kb)
Slim Dusty Foundation celebrates Government commitment Click here for details
The Slim Dusty Family hit the road on The REUNION Tour
The Slim Dusty Family recently released their number one charting "Reunion" album to much public and media acclaim, and now the three generations are continuing a family tradition by hitting the road and heading out on tour.
It was announced that the first leg of the Family tour will get underway on the 3rd July. These concerts will not only be a first, but very likely the one and only opportunity for the country music fans to see all the various generations of the Slim Dusty Family performing live together on stage.
Family matriarch and driving force behind the "Reunion" project, Joy McKean, confirmed this week that the line-up for the upcoming Reunion shows will include Slim and Joy's son and daughter David and Anne Kirkpatrick, as well as their children Kate and James Arneman together with Hannah and Daniel Kirkpatrick. Joy is thrilled to also confirm that Slim's long time record producer and tour Musical Director Rod Coe has managed to get Slim's legendary Travelling Country Band (TCB) back together especially for this historic tour.
"We are very proud of the new album. Of course, we were all hopeful that Slim's many fans would accept and embrace the new songs, but we were truly overwhelmed by the support shown to our family on the release of the album. We are so excited about the fans' response and now all of us are just looking forward to getting out on the road to perform the "Reunion" album material live and singing quite a few of the old Slim Dusty classics as well," said Anne Kirkpatrick.
The tour, the Family are pleased to also announce, will now be presented by the Country Music Channel.
The SLIM DUSTY FAMILY REUNION TOUR 2008
PRESENTED BY
Tickets will go on sale on Monday 14th April at the venue box offices.
JULY TOUR DATES
03 Jul 08 Wollongong Regent Theatre 02 4225 9106
04 Jul 08 Rooty Hill RSL Club 02 9677 4916
05 Jul 08 West Tamworth League Club 02 6765 7588
06 Jul 08 Taree Manning Entertainment Centre 02 6592 5466 / tickets also available via Video Ezy 02 6552 5699
08 Jul 08 Toowoomba Empire Theatre 1300 655 299
09 Jul 08 Twin Towns Services Club 1800 014 014
10 Jul 08 Nambour Civic Centre 07 5475 7777
11 Jul 08 Bundaberg Moncrieff Theatre 07 4153 1985
12 Jul 08 Gladstone Entertainment Centre 07 4972 2822
13 Jul 08 Rockhampton Pilbeam Theatre 07 4927 4111
16 Jul 08 Roma Bungil Cultural Centre 07 4622 1327
17 Jul 08 Chinchilla Cultural Centre 07 4662 7199 ’Äì This show cancelled
18 Jul 08 Kedron Wavell Services Club 07 3359 9122
19 Jul 08 Boonah Cultural Centre 07 5463 4817
22 Jul 08 Bathurst Entertainment Centre 02 6333 6161
23 Jul 08 Dubbo Civic Centre Snares Newsagency 02 6882 1191
24 Jul 08 Goulburn Workers Club 02 4821 3355
25 Jul 08 Wagga Civic Theatre 02 6926 9688
26 Jul 08 Griffith Regional Theatre 02 6961 8388
27 Jul 08 Albury Performing Arts Centre 02 6051 3051
29 Jul 08 Warrnambool Ent. Centre 03 5559 4999
30 Jul 08 Kyneton Town Hall 03 5422 0333 / 1300 888 802
31 Jul 08 Barooga Sports Club 03 5873 4448
01 Aug 08 Canberra / Hellenic Club 02 6281 0899
** Exciting young bush balladeer and 2008 Golden Guitar winner Amos Morris... will be the special guest on all the Family concerts.
HOW GOOD IT IS...
TO CELEBRATE 81 YEARS OF SLIM DUSTY
To commemorate what would be the 81st birthday of Australian legend Slim Dusty, EMI Music will release a new single together with a specially produced promotional video on Friday June 13.
The new song - How Good It Is - was written especially for Slim by singer/songwriter Don Walker (Cold Chisel co-founder and huge Slim Dusty fan). The track was recorded by Slim just before he fell ill back in 2001.
The video was created by two time Golden Guitar Video award winner Mark Jago.
On June 13, Slim Dusty family members will gather with fans, industry friends and a host of prominent country music stars, politicians and media personalities to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the birth date of the great Australian, Slim Dusty.
The "Many Happy Campfires" tribute evening at Sydney's prestigious Westin Hotel will feature performances from some of Australia's major country entertainers including Australian Of The Year Lee Kernaghan. The artists will rally support for the building of the Slim Dusty Museum and perform musical tributes to this legendary Australian.
Since Slim Dusty passed away five years ago, Slim's wife Joy McKean, with a dedicated band of supporters, have been devoting all their time and resources to the establishment of this cultural centre and museum in regional Australia. It is now finally looking like a reality!
THE SLIM DUSTY FAMILY REUNION ALBUM - OUT NOW
THE SLIM DUSTY FAMILY - TOURING JULY
www.musichead.com.au
www.slimdustycentre.com.au
Lee to headline Slim tribute
Lee Kernaghan will headline a star-studded tribute to the late, great Slim Dusty in June.
The tribute, being held in Sydney on the 81st anniversary of Slim's birthday on June 13, will feature a host of high profile country and pop entertainers to honour the legendary Australian.
Titled "Many Happy Campfires", the tribute is being staged as a fund-raiser for the Slim Dusty Centre being built at Kempsey on the NSW North Coast.
Radio star Ray Hadley will act as MC on the night with Graeme Connors, Barry Crocker, Peter Denahy, Gina Jeffreys, Tania Kernaghan, Anne Kirkpatrick, David Kirkpatrick, Jimmy Little, Amos Morris and Melinda Schneider joining Lee to entertain, performing with Slim’s original Travelling Country Band.
The Kempsey project is being built to realise Slim’s dream of building a Centre in his home town where the memorabilia collected all over Australia during his long and illustrious career could be preserved and shown and where visitors would be involved in "an interactive journey through the heart and soul of Australia".
The Centre will also develop scholarships to assist young talented musical artists to obtain the best possible start to their country music careers. The Museum will be an iconic Australian experience built around Slim Dusty, his links with the nation’s indigenous people and his vision of Australian culture, as depicted through his eyes and the lyrics of his timeless songs.
Tickets for "Many Happy Camp Fires" (including VIP packages) can be obtained by telephoning Kelly Wong on (02) 8306 9555.
Click here for more information and reservation form (713 kb file).
Slim Dusty Foundation celebrates Government commitment
Despite a report in a Sydney newspaper that suggested that the Slim Dusty Centre project progress may be slowed due to delayed State Government Funding, nothing could be further from the truth.
Speaking from the Slim Dusty Foundation office in Kempsey today, the General Manager of the Foundation, Kathryn Yarnold, said that she was in receipt of a most welcome letter from The Hon Gary Gray AO MP, the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, stating that the $6 million pledge made on the 3rd of November, 2007, by the former Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Mark Vaile MP, will indeed be honoured by the new Federal Government.
The letter, received on Friday, states "The Australian Government will deliver on its 2007 Election Commitments to regional Australia made under the Better Regions initiative. The Government's $6 million commitment to the Slim Dusty Centre project is to be managed by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government."
"Whilst we always remained confident that the new Federal Government would continue the support of this mighty Australian initiative, it is comforting to see their commitment to the Slim Dusty Centre, in writing. The Centre will certainly be about Slim and his life, but it will also depict the heritage of Australia and its people, and we believe that the Government's support echoes the voice of the people in getting behind the Slim Dusty Foundation," said Ms Yarnold.
The $6 million commitment made by the Federal Government is in addition to their initial pledge of $1.5 million made in 2004. Whilst the Slim Dusty Foundation is still awaiting an announcement from the State Government to match this initial Federal pledge, there is absolutely no reason to doubt that the State Government, too, will continue their strong support of the project, with an announcement expected in the very near future.
Ms Yarnold added "The State Government were the very first to recognise the tremendous community benefits that the Slim Dusty Centre will generate into the future, economically and socially. Previously the State has funded our Business Plan and Website, and opened up a 12 hectare site under lease for the Slim Dusty Centre to be built on the Pacific Highway at Kempsey. The entire Slim Dusty Foundation team remain fully optimistic that the State Government will follow the Federal Government’Äôs indication of support with a strong financial commitment that will be an investment into the future of regional New South Wales."
Chair of the Foundation, Joy McKean OAM, added her elation at the Federal Government commitment and her faith in the State to continue their wonderful support. "While confirmation of the level of funding at times seemed slow, we have been quietly confident of forthcoming support. Given the State Government's past assistance and encouragement, we have been sure that this critical funding would eventually be made available, in order to advance a project of such importance nationally, and to the Macleay River district and its people," she said from Sydney today.
Celebrating East West Plaza Opening - Slim Dusty Family Rededicates Plaque
The official rededication of the plaque which will celebrate the recent refurbishment of the new East West Plaza (formerly the Credit Union Plaza and Mayfair Theatre) will be performed by Joy McKean OAM, Slim Dusty's wife and partner of over fifty years.
The original commemorative plaque was unveiled by Slim Dusty AO MBE in September 1986. The new plaque will be located next to the original one to celebrate the history of the Plaza in Clyde Street, Kempsey. It also celebrate’Äôs Slim’Äôs beginning, as it unfolded, with his first live performance in Kempsey being at the Mayfair Theatre. It was in 1942, when at 15 years of age, he and childhood mate Shorty Ranger appeared as the Yodelling Boundary Riders.
Two glass-fronted red cedar display cases will pay tribute to Slim Dusty and the history of the Plaza, where a permanent exhibition will be housed.
They will feature a prominent display of historical Slim Dusty news items displaying unique memorabilia celebrating his strong connection to Kempsey and the Macleay Valley.
The dedicated people at the Macleay River Historical Society will develop and provide the rare materials for the displays, in an ongoing capacity to ensure that there is future rotation to create and maintain interest.
Nearby will be a large screen that will play Slim Dusty songs and feature concert footage from his popular DVDs, creating an ambience of heritage country atmosphere.
At the official rededication ceremony, to take place on Thursday 10 April, at 10am, Joy will be joined by their daughter, Anne Kirkpatrick, a successful and extremely popular performer in her own right. Anne will sing several of her Dad’Äôs songs for the large gathering expected to attend the momentous occasion.
Joy McKean, also speaking on behalf of the Slim Dusty Foundation, has expressed their thanks to Dr and Mrs Tiong Ting, Plaza owners, for taking care to retain the historical original plaques for remounting.
All concerned strongly appreciate the Ting family's recognition of the popularity and significance of the Slim Dusty heritage, and of Kempsey Shire as Slim's boyhood home.
Joy will travel from Sydney to rededicate the plaque at the memorable ceremony that will also be attended by the Federal Member for Lyne, The Hon Mark Vaile MP, Federal Member for Cowper, The Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP, Deputy Mayor Cr Janet Hayes and other local dignitaries.
Mr Richard O’ÄôLeary, a notable community leader, Kempsey businessman and Rotarian, will be the MC for the occasion.
The new East West Plaza and the rededication ceremony will also celebrate the additional new life being breathed into the CBD of Kempsey. The Clyde Street Mall will be bubbling with the Thursday morning markets, where the CBD already enjoys the strong, steady pulse of long established and successful businesses. Within the East West Plaza itself, where the rededication is being staged, there are many major long-term Kempsey businesses, specialty shops and a new Food Court.
In continuing to celebrate Slim Dusty and keep his memory alive, the East West Plaza will continue to attract tourists and shoppers to the Kempsey area, his home town.
That will, in turn, help maintain the impetus for the continuing work of the Slim Dusty Foundation on the Slim Dusty Centre project.
Information about the Slim Dusty Foundation and its aims is available from General Manager, Kathryn Yarnold at 02 6562 6533 or 1800 18 SLIM or www.slimdustycentre.com.au.
Family album continues to chart
The Slim Dusty Family Reunion album continues to chart nationally, moving back up to number 17 this week on the mainstream ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Album Chart.
Now four weeks in the top 20 (every week since its release), the album is also number one for the fourth week on the ARIA Country Albums chart.
Reunion hits the charts!
More than 50 years after The Pub With No Beer became Australia's biggest selling record, Slim Dusty is riding high again on both the Australian country and pop charts simultaneously.
The newly released Slim Dusty Family Reunion album was released on March 1 and debuted at number one on the national ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Country Chart and at 15 on the mainstream Top 100 Albums Chart.
Three generations of the Slim Dusty family are involved in the recording and have been fittingly rewarded this week with glowing reviews and crossover country/pop chart success for the CD, a musical collaboration featuring original material by the family and Slim songs from "the vault".
"It certainly goes to prove that the legacy of the young bloke who 70 years ago decided to adopt the name Slim Dusty is in safe hands," according to a spokesman for EMI Music, Slim's record label.
"Pick It Up And Pass It On, written by Paul Kelly especially for the family project, is one of several songs on the album proving a real favourite with reviewers and Slim fans alike," EMI said.
"Slim’s wife, Joy McKean, his children David and Anne and his four grandchildren, have done exactly as Paul suggested and Slim would no doubt have wanted, by honouring the family tradition and infusing it with new energy and new voices. Judging by the early response to the Reunion album, the fans are loving it!"
"We are overwhelmed by all the support shown to our family on the release of our Reunion album," said Anne Kirkpatrick, "thank you one and all."
"With an album that truly features so many highlights, there would have to be special praise for Slim and Joy’s grandchildren (James, Hannah, Kate and Daniel)," EMI said. "Their individual musical contributions would have greatly pleased the 'old man'. Slim was always a staunch advocate of young people following their own direction and finding their own voice – they certainly have achieved that."
"The chart positions are fantastic and make us all really eager to get out on the road in July and perform all the album material live," said James Arneman.
Reunion features 12 songs inspired by memories of Slim and three previously unreleased Slim Dusty recordings. A bonus DVD titled Behind The Reunion is being offered with the album for a limited time featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
The Slim Dusty Family... Reunion
In the years following the passing of Slim Dusty, rumours emerged that the family would create a musical tribute. As the pressure grew, so did the expectations. But then the "Dustys" are no ordinary family - as they've now proven with the release of the Reunion.
The tone of celebration is set from the start with Slim's How Good It Is - another of the fine collaborations between Slim and Cold Chisel writer Don Walker (previous collaborations have included Looking Forward, Looking Back, Charleville...)...
How good is life
C'mon look around
Just take it in a while and grin
How good it is
Rather than putting together an album of covers or unreleased material, the family members - Joy McKean, David Kirkpatrick, Anne Kirkpatrick and their children, James and Kate (Anne) and Hannah and Daniel (David), decided to use their own words - with wonderful additions by Paul Kelly, Eric Bogle and Peter Denahy, to chronicle their feelings about Slim and celebrate the life, times and music of the most famous of all Aussie country performers. It was a decision that would have greatly pleased the 'old man', staunch advocate that he was for young people following their own direction and finding their own voice.
Hard as it obviously was for family members to confront such personal issues and make their feelings public, and despite the obvious loss and longing involved, the overriding sense from listening to Reunion is one of joy and celebration.
There are the things we would expect - Anne's beautiful, soulful singing - Joy's fine songwriting. But there are wonderful surprises to be had in this reunion. Apart from the three previously unreleased gems from Slim Dusty himself... there is David’Äôs emergence as a songwriter and performer and great songs and singing from the younger generation who've been "handed the reins".
Like all the best reunions, there's laughter, there's tears, there's longing and there's love. Love for the beloved husband, father, grandfather, and love for the music that was such a part of all their lives. It's a tribute to the family, the splendid Travelling Country Band and the production/studio crew, that we don't feel like mere observers, but more like old friends invited to share this joyous experience.
But the last word should belong to the man who inspired it all - Slim himself (lyrics taken from the final track of the album. This Slim recording not listed on artwork; year of origin unknown!)
As we start to look back down life's rugged track
Wondering if that's what it's all about
Our family have grown now they'll take our music on
So I guess that's what life's all about
Young voices are raised, they're proud and they're brave
They'll take our music out and far beyond
So Joy said to me how proud we should be
To have written one helluva song
Photo: a shot of the media conference announcing the Reunion album.
The Slim Dusty Family REUNION album
Release Date: March 1st, 2008
Behind The Reunion... BONUS DVD AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!
featuring interviews and behind the scenes footage
The Slim Dusty Family REUNION - Track Listing / Production Credits
1. HOW GOOD IT IS... Slim Dusty (Don Walker) Sony / ATV Music 2:40
2. ROAD DREAMIN'... Anne Kirkpatrick (Anne Kirkpatrick) Slim Dusty Enterprises Pty Ltd 3:25
3. RESTING PLACE... James Arneman / Hannah Kirkpatrick (James Arneman / Hannah Kirkpatrick) Slim Dusty Enterprises Pty Ltd 3:11
4. OLD PURPLE ...David Kirkpatrick / Harmonies: Anne and the Family (David Kirkpatrick). Slim Dusty Enterprises Pty Ltd 3:39
5. TOOK HIS SADDLE HOME... Anne Kirkpatrick / Harmonies: David (Peter Denahy) Control 3:29
6. PICK IT UP AND PASS IT ON... David Kirkpatrick, Anne Kirkpatrick / Featuring James Arneman & the Family (Paul Kelly) Universal Music Publishing 3:11
7. TOO MANY MEMORIES... Joy McKean / Harmonies: Anne (Joy McKean) Slim Dusty Enterprises Pty Ltd 3:17
8. SUNBURNT PEOPLE... Slim Dusty / Harmonies: Joy & Anne (Slim Dusty & Joy McKean) Slim Dusty Enterprises Pty Ltd 3:05
9. KEEP ON ROLLING (THE SONG)... David Kirkpatrick / Harmonies: Hannah & Anne (David Kirkpatrick) Slim Dusty Enterprises Pty Ltd 3:16
10. HIGH, WIDE AND HANDSOME... Kate Arneman / Harmonies: James and Anne (Joy McKean) EMI Music Publishing 2:07
11. THE DREAMER... Hannah Kirkpatrick / Harmonies: Anne (Eric Bogle) Larrikin Music/ Control 2:50
12. MIDDLE OF THE ROAD... James Arneman / Harmonies: Kate (James Arneman) Slim Dusty Enterprises Pty Ltd 3:53
13. FAMILY REUNION... Joy McKean & the Family (Joy McKean / Slim Dusty ) Slim Dusty Enterprises Pty Ltd 3:21
14. FROM THERE TO NOW... Anne Kirkpatrick / Harmonies: James, Kate, Mike Kerin & the Family (Anne Kirkpatrick) Slim Dusty Enterprises 2:55
Bonus Track (Not Listed on CD)
15. The Unknown Song (Demo)... Slim Dusty (Slim Dusty ) Slim Dusty Enterprises Pty Ltd 1:33
Recorded at Columbia Lane
Produced by Rod Coe
Executive Producer: Joy McKean
Mixed by Mike Vidale
Engineered by Phil Punch
Assistant Engineer James Arneman
Mastered by Don Bartley (Benchmark Mastering)
Photography by John Elliott
Artwork by Molotov Productions / Kudos Studios
For further information go to www.musichead.com.au
Seven million sales for slim
In conjunction with the Reunion media conference, a special presentation was made marking an astounding seven million sales for Slim Dusty albums in Australia.
Photo: Danny Carter and Tom Inglis from EMI Music Australia present Joy McKean with a special award to officially commemorate the seven million milestone (click on the photo for a larger image).
Amos becomes the youngest ever to win the Bush Ballad Golden Guitar
At last weekend's 36th annual CMAA Golden Guitar Awards held in Tamworth, the charismatic 19-year-old bush balladeer Amos Morris became the youngest ever artist to win a Golden Guitar in the prized Bush Ballad of the Year category.
The young Nulla recording artist, just a little earlier that evening, had won over the Awards crowd with a stirring performance of his award winning song Sign Of The Times.
This was also a very special award win for Nulla Records' Joy McKean... even though Joy and Slim Dusty have between them won more than 40 Golden Guitars; this was actually the first Golden Guitar award for the family label. The recently re-established Nulla Records label represents a new joint venture between the Slim Dusty Family and EMI Music Australia and was set up for the sole purpose of providing support to new and talented Australian traditional country music artists.
Amos, hailing from Slim Dusty's own hometown of Kempsey on the mid north coast of NSW, is the Nulla label's latest signing. Over the last few years, he has been steadily building a devoted following both in Australia and New Zealand with his strong live performances combined with his totally fresh approach to the traditional Australian bush ballad style of music. Amos was discovered by Joy McKean back in 2003 at a Slim Dusty tribute night in Kempsey and after several years of mentoring, Joy signed Amos to her Nulla recording label.
The Amos Morris debut Nulla album Sign Of The Times was produced by multi Golden Guitar award winner Anne Kirkpatrick and recorded in Slim Dusty’s own Columbia Lane Studios.
Meanwhile, another track from the Sign Of The Times album is also gathering attention... the video for the Frustrated Truckie track has now entered the CMC Top 50 video chart at number 37.
Slim Dusty Foundation at Tamworth
During the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the Foundation will take an exhibition stand to the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre, known in 2008 as the Toyota Country Theatre, to bring its many supporters and friends up to date with the huge level of progress made since this time last year.
The stand will show visitors the exciting new design for the Slim Dusty Centre ’Äî which has received development approval from Kempsey Shire Council. The development now enters the Construction Certificate stage.
As Joy McKean says, 'The design is visionary yet practical...entirely workable while remaining true to the feeling of country and heritage in Slim's songs.'
Funding support from the Government is currently at $7.5 million with more being needed. The Foundation has also applied to the State Government for $1.5 million and is continuing discussions with other potential major donors. The recent Federal Government announcement of funding means that the Slim Dusty Centre will be able to start construction towards the end of 2008.
Visitors to the Foundation's stand will also be able discuss how they can best support the Slim Dusty Centre, either through donations, merchandise or services in kind.
Other support options include the Paver Program: the perfect way for donors to have their name or message engraved onto a paver as a permanent part of the Centre for as little as a tax-deductible $50 donation. The pavers will create a supporters' pathway or courtyard; a special section for 'Truckie Pavers' is also proposed.
The Centre will be constructed entirely from Australian materials (many of them recycled) and will be for all Australians ’Äî from the bush or the city ’Äî as well as our many visitors.
It will continue to introduce Slim's timeless music to new generations and give new storytellers a chance to commemorate the real Australia. Its museum, dedicated to Slim's achievements, will house an incredible collection of memorabilia amassed by Slim and Joy during their lifetime on the road.
For information regarding the Slim Dusty Foundation and its aims, please contact Kathryn Yarnold, General Manager on (02) 6562 6533, or 1800 18 SLIM, or visit the website at www.slimdustycentre.com.au.
Joy to receive College honour
January 16, 2008: Joy McKean is to be honoured at this year's Australian College of Country Music Graduation Concert.
The honour comes in the form of a re-naming of the previous Slim Dusty College Scholarship which will now be known as Slim Dusty / Joy McKean Scholarship.
Joy says she is very honoured that she and Slim have been both acknowledged in this way. The couple played a vital role in establishing the College in the late 1990s through their involvement with the Country Music Association of Australia.
Joy will be on hand tomorrow night (Thursday January 17) to present the 2008 "class" with their graduation certificates and will announce the recipient of the inaugural Slim Dusty / Joy McKean Scholarship which is sponsored by EMI Australia.
The Slim Dusty Foundation celebrates the announcement of $6 million to Slim Dusty Centre
The Slim Dusty Centre has taken a giant step forward with the announcement in Kempsey on Saturday night (November 3) by Deputy Prime Minister, Leader of the Nationals and Member for Lyne Mark Vaile that a Federal Government grant of $6 million would be made to the project under a re-elected coalition. He was accompanied by local MP for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker.
Concept, planning and architectural designs for the Centre on the 35 acre site on the southern outskirts of Slim's home town, Kempsey, NSW, are already well advanced.
The funding will be made available through an extension of the Northern Rivers and North Coast Sustainable Regions programme. The Sustainable Regions advisory committee recently wrote to Mr Vaile seeking an extension of funds to accommodate this commitment.
Chair of the Slim Dusty Foundation Joy McKean hailed the grant saying it would enable the project to get underway in the near future and she paid tribute to those who had worked so hard to make Slim's vision a reality.
Joy said the Foundation wanted to thank the Prime Minister John Howard and Deputy PM Mark Vaile for their strong, on-going support of the Slim Dusty Centre project and she also singled out the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, for his unwavering commitment over many years.
"There are so many people to thank for their part in bringing the project to this point", said Joy. "In the forefront are the vast number of fans of Slim Dusty who have contributed so much enthusiasm and support for so long.
"The people and Council of Kempsey have played a huge role, and the release of Crown Land under lease from the NSW State Government has also been very important in moving the project forward.
"Finally," Joy said "the Slim Dusty Foundation's CEO Kathryn Yarnold deserves a special accolade for the dogged determination, unflagging energy, boundless optimism and vast skill she has shown in steering the project development through such a complicated maze over the past few years. Kathryn and her dedicated staff have earned our heartfelt appreciation.
"There is still so much to be done, but with this grant we now have the means to make the Centre a fitting and outstanding memorial to Slim Dusty and his music."
Kathryn Yarnold echoed the work that lay ahead. "The fundraising does not stop here. We still await a final decision from the State Government for our application for $1.5 million in funding and continue to progress by moving into the Construction Certificate phase.
"And we are undertaking ongoing involvement with potential exclusive sponsors of some of our exciting and innovative internal displays."
Speaking from Kempsey after the announcement, Kathryn paid tribute to the team and the incredible positive effect being felt by everyone involved. "This funding announcement will certainly pump new life into a dedicated team and, a little closer to home, we could never have reached this stage without the dedication and hard work of the Slim Dusty Foundation Board and Patrons and the inspiration and commitment of members of Slim’s own family. Equally important are our Foundation Donors who have generously donated funds and services from the crucial initial stages."
The Grant was announced at the Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show, organised by the Rotary Club of Kempsey West and held in Kempsey on Saturday November 3. In excess of 600 people attended and the concert raised over $14,000 for the Slim Dusty Centre appeal.
For information regarding the Slim Dusty Foundation and its aims, please contact Kathryn Yarnold, General Manager on (02) 6562 6533, or 1800 18 SLIM, or visit the website at www.slimdustycentre.com.au.
Photos by courtesy of Laurie Bullock, The Macleay Argus, Kempsey (click on the pix for larger images)...
Top: Joy McKean with Luke Hartsuyker, Anne Kirkpatrick, Mark Vaile and Dr David Kirkpatrick.
Below: The Slim Dusty Foundation Team: Sonia Fingleton, Kathryn Yarnold, Bruce Woods (Events Co-ordinator, Rotary Club of Kempsey West) and Melissa Killmore.
Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show
A Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show will be held at Kempsey (NSW) on Saturday night November 3.
The concert will feature Slim's family headlined by his lifelong partner and fellow performer Joy McKean.
"I am looking forward to a really enjoyable evening of music and meeting friends," Joy said. "Anne and David will be on stage with some of the Travelling Country Band members, and even I am going to join them for some songs.
"Two young balladeers, Amos Morris (below, left) and Nathan Charlton (right), will be great entertainment for everyone because they are both such good interpreters of Slim’s songs. Altogether, there will be a lot of favourite ballads sung and a lot of memories for all of us," Joy said.
Proceeds from the Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show will help fund construction of the Slim Dusty Centre at Kempsey. The Centre is designed to provide a uniquely Australian experience and promises to be one of the most significant of its kind. Destined to become a national icon, it will incorporate a museum dedicated to Slim's achievements and will house a collection of precious memorabilia collected by Slim and Joy during a lifetime of touring and performing.
The Centre will also create employment and economic prospects for the region and will help keep Australia's country music and bush ballad traditions alive by nurturing up-and-coming performers, giving them encouragement through scholarships.
During the upcoming concert, a red cedar coffee table made from timber originating from Slim’s "Nulla Nulla" property and handcrafted by George Crossingham will be auctioned along with various other items.
Organised and run by the Rotary Club of Kempsey West, the Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Show started out in 2004 as a simple local tribute to the memory of Slim who had passed away just one year before. It is now a fully-fledged concert set to attract legions of fans of the man himself and his style of music.
Initiated by local Rotarian Bruce Woods on his Kempsey farm, Bruce is now the event co-ordinator and is ecstatic about its growing success: "I have been overwhelmed by the many phone calls and widespread interest received for the concert," he said. "Ticket sales have been strong not only from the local community but as far afield as Toowoomba, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Bribie Island, South Coast, Sydney and inland NSW.
"This will be an opportunity to hear Slim and Joy’s son David and their daughter Anne sing on stage together once again. This will be a very rare performance."
Details as to ticket availability can be obtained from Bruce on (02) 6562 4795 or mobile 0418 491 499.
More information – www.slimdustycentre.com.au.
More Gold and Platinum...
Monday, September 10, 2007: It's official! Slim's Pubs, Trucks And Plains package has officially been declared Gold... and the reissued One Night In May concert DVD is now Platinum.
Two more GOLD for Slim!
Monday August 6, 2007: Slim Dusty’s latest release, the concert DVD One Night In May, only released on Saturday (August 4), has already been certified Gold
The announcement coincides with the news that Pubs, Trucks And Plains, the three CD set released in April to commemorate 50 years of A Pub With No Beer has also achieved Gold status.
Slim’s wife Joy McKean said: "It is really exciting to hear that One Night In May has gone Gold on the week of it's release, and also to see that the Pubs, Trucks And Plains is now Gold too! Two Gold awards in one week, I reckon Slim would be chuffed with that result!
"I am so pleased and proud that these wonderful Gold sales reflect Slim's continued popularity and that his devoted fans continue to be supportive of Slim's ongoing releases. I would really like to thank the fans, all our media supporters, music shops and of course EMI for helping keep Slim's memory alive."
With more than 80 Gold and Platinum accredited albums, Slim Dusty has collected more Australian awards than any other Australian artist.
The One Night In May concert was filmed at Sydney's Global Studios in May 1992 and features the McKean Sisters along with Anne and David Kirkpatrick. The concert footage and audio were specially remastered for the release and feature exclusive performances not featured on any other Slim concert DVD.
The three CD, 60-song Pubs, Trucks And Plains set was released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the recording of Australia's first ever hit single, A Pub With No Beer. The album not only celebrates Slim’s iconic drinking songs, but also the other two hugely popular songwriting themes (trucks and the land) from which Slim drew during his amazing career over 60 years.s amazing career spanning 60 years.
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