Pictured: The historic timber hall at the Kempsey Showgrounds
I reckon Slim Dusty would have sung many of his songs over the decades in this old timber pavilion at the Kempsey Showgrounds. Kempsey is the home of the iconic Akubra Hat company and proudly considers the late Slim Dusty (David Gordon Kirkpatrick) as it’s favourite son. Born at Nulla Nulla Creek 56kms north west of the town back in 1927 he set his sights from an early age on a life of music. Today his legacy lives on and Slim Dusty is remembered as the ‘Father of Australian Country Music’. His heroes were bush poets like Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson, and singers like Jimmie Rodgers, Buddy Williams and Tex Morton… He went on to record 106 albums during his lifetime career and sales over 7 million.
It was such a privilege to sing the song ‘Slim’s been here before’ a few weeks ago in this old hall. In fact we had to perform the song twice as the audience requested a few songs as an encore.
Thank you to the volunteers and local community of the town of Kempsey for keeping the memory and legacy of Slim Dusty alive every year with this great Festival in his memory. If you are ever passing through Kempsey please take some time to visit the Slim Dusty Centre south of town.
