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Top 10 Unknown Facts about Slim Dusty

Slim Dusty with Golden Guitar. Photo Sourced from

Slim Dusty was an Australian country music singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer. He was born as David Gordon Kirkpatrick on 13th September 1927 in Nulla Nulla Creek West of Kempsey, New South Wales.

Dusty was a son of a cattle farmer whose childhood home known as Homewood survives and is currently heritage-listed. His middle name is Gordon.

Dusty Gordon was an renowned Australian cultural icon and one among the most awarded star. His successful career spanned for nearly seven decades on producing numerous hit recordings.

Slim Dusty recorded more than one hundred albums and sold more than seven million records that earned him 70 plus gold and platinum album certifications. He became the first Australian to get the number one international hit songs with a version of Gordon Parsons song.

Dusty received multiple awards in his music career and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and the Australian Roll of Renown. One his major performances was at the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic games.
Here are top 10 Unknown Facts about Slim Dusty:

1. Slim Dusty was Raised in a Homewood Farm by a Cattle Farmer Family

Homewood – Childhood Home of ‘Slim Dusty’. Photo Sourced from WIKIMEDIA

Dusty was not born to one of the richest families in Australia. He was born in Nulla Nulla Creek West of Kempsey, a town located more than 400 kilometres away from Sydney.

His father was known as David Kirkpatrick and mother, Mary Partridge. Dusty was raised in the Homewood that was later on heritage-listed.
The father of Slim Dusty was a cattle farmer while his mother鈥檚 job was not known. He was the youngest son of David Kirkpatrick and Mary Partridge.

2. Dusty got Influence to Music Career through Weekly House Parties in His Hometown

Growing up in the Nulla Nulla Valley, Slim Dusty got the musical influence from his neighbours. The closely knit community where Dusty grew has a strong musical traditions among the hardworking families.

Both men and women in the large community could play an instrument or sing. There were weekly dances and house parties among the people living in Nulla Nulla Creek.

Slim Dusty was exposed to thus music practices and later own composer his early songs while at the Homewood. By mid-1950s, Slim Dusty decided to leave home and pursue his successful career.

3. Dusty Wrote his 1st Song Aged 10 and Signed 1st Recording Contract at 20 Years

With the influence from his community, Slim Dusty鈥檚 interest in music became clear. In 1937 at the age of 10, Dusty wrote his first song, 鈥淭he Way the Cowboy Dies.鈥�

In 1937, Young Gordon adopted the stage name Slim Dusty. He was musically influenced by American Jimmie Rodgers, New Zealand鈥檚 Tex Morton and Australian Buddy William.

At the age of 19 in 1945, Dusty wrote the song 鈥淲hen the Rain Tumbles Down in July鈥�. He later on released his first record that same year. In 1946, Dusty made a huge step in his music career by signing his first recording contract with Columbia Graphophone for the Regal Zonophone label.

4. Dusty Married a Singer-Songwriter who helped him Achieve Great Success

Slim Dusty鈥檚 success came from one special person in his life. In 1951, Slim Dusty met and married singer and songwriter Joy McKean.

With her help, Dusty achieved great success across Australia. In 1954, Dusty and his wife launched a full time business career which included the Slim Dusty Travelling Show.

Joy McKean became the manager of Slim Dusty for over fifty years. The two were blessed with two children, Anne Kirkpatrick and David Kirkpatrick. Their children are accomplished singers and songwriters.

5. Joy McKean Wrote Several Songs for Her Husband Slim Dusty

Slim Dusty was an accomplished songwriter but his wife Joy McKean also helped him. Joy McKean was involved in writing several songs of Slim Dusty.

Some of these popular songs include; Lights on The Hill, Walk a Country Mile, Indian Pacific, Kelly鈥檚 Offsider, The Angel of Goulburn Hill and The Biggest Disappointment.

6. Dusty was Appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia

In 1997, Slim Dusty and his wife Joy McKean were recognised for their huge contributions in the country music of Australia. The general manager of Grand Old Opry (Bob Whitaker) in Nashville, Tennessee invited the two to perform.

Slim Dusty was later on appointed as an officer of the Order of Australia. This was a piece of gratitude to the service he provided in the Australian entertainment industry.

7. Dusty was the First Music Artist to Record 100 Albums with Same Label

Slim Dusty was so loyal to one label since he began his music career. In 2000, Slim Dusty had already recorded 100 albums with the 100th being Looking Forward, Looking Back.

He became the first music artist to reach this milestone in worldwide commercial recording history. Slim Dusty also became the first artist to record 100 albums through one label, EMI records.

8. Dusty Sang in the Closing Ceremony of 2000 Summer Olympics Attended Over 110K Spectators

In the 2000 Summer Olympics, Slim Dusty was given the honours of singing to the spectators. He sang the song 鈥淲altzing Matilda鈥� during the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics games.

The whole stadium of more than one hundred and ten thousand spectators sang alongside Slim Dusty. The 114,714 spectators attendance was the largest in the history of Olympics. This was a great honour to Slim Dusty.

9. Dusty Received More Gold and Platinum Certifications than any Australian Artist

Slim Dusty has always been among the most decorated music artists in Australia. He holds several records that are not easily to attain by any artist.

Dusty earned several awards and accolades during his music career. He was Australia鈥檚 most successful and prolific artists.

Slim Dusty got more than 70 Gold and Platinum albums than any Australian artist.

10. Dusty Died of Lung and Kidney Cancer at his Home

Slim Dusty had enjoyed a healthy life since his youthful life until old age. He was diagnosed with lung and kidney cancer.

On 19th September 2003 at the age of 76, Slim Dusty died at his home in St Ives, New South Wales. His death came as a huge blow to the Australians who turned up in thousands for his burial.

The Prime Minister, John Howard and federal opposition leader of Australia attended the funeral of Slim Dusty. His body was later on cremated at Northern Suburbs Crematorium of Sydney.

Slim Dusty will always be regarded as one of the prolific and accomplished figure in Australia and across the world for his great achievements.