Australian country music facts for kids

Olivia Newton-John.

Australian country music is a special kind of music from Australia. It mixes sounds from American country music with old British and Irish folk songs. It also gets ideas from famous Australian poets like Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson.

In Australian country music, you'll often hear instruments like guitars, banjos, fiddles, and harmonicas. The songs tell stories about life in the outback, brave stockmen, long-haul truckers, and even outlaws. They also sing about love, standing up for what's right, and the amazing, sometimes wild, Australian bush.

Some of the most famous Australian country musicians are Slim Dusty, Joy McKean, Olivia Newton-John, John Williamson, Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, and Kasey Chambers. Other artists like Nick Cave and Paul Kelly have also been influenced by this style. Popular songs include "Waltzing Matilda" (from 1895), "Pub With No Beer" (1957), "Lights on the Hill" (1973), "I Honestly Love You" (1974), "True Blue" (1981), and "Not Pretty Enough" (2002).

Famous Country Musicians

Reg Lindsay.

Troy Cassar-Daley.

Lee Kernaghan.

Keith Urban.

Kasey Chambers.

Many talented people have made Australian country music popular. Here are some of the well-known singers and groups:

Solo Artists

• Paul Costa
• 8 Ball Aitken
• Johnny Ashcroft
• Sherrie Austin
• James Blundell
• Adam Brand
• Catherine Britt
• Kev Carmody
• Kelly Cooper
• Troy Cassar-Daley
• Kasey Chambers
• Graeme Connors
• Tracy Coster
• Smoky Dawson
• Shea Fisher
• Steve Forde
• Adam Harvey
• Wayne Horsburgh
• Jedd Hughes
• Gina Jeffries
• Gay Kayler
• Lee Kernaghan
• Anne Kirkpatrick
• The Legarde Twins
• Reg Lindsay
• Jimmy Little
• Joy McKean
• Chad Morgan
• Olivia Newton-John
• Shane Nicholson
• Jamie O'Neal
• Jasmine Rae
• Archie Roach
• Mary Schneider
• Slim Dusty
• Sara Storer
• Keith Urban
• John Williamson

Music Groups

• The Bushwackers
• Carter & Carter
• The Distance
• The Donovans
• The Flood
• The McClymonts
• The Robertson Brothers
• The Sunny Cowgirls
• Women in Docs
• Caroline
• Karma County
• Redgum
• Deep Creek

Images for kids

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  Slim Dusty, who was the best-selling domestic country artist

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  Early country star Johnny Ashcroft

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  A 1905 collection of old bush songs compiled by Banjo Paterson. Australian country music is heavily influenced by American country music, but grew also out of an Australian tradition of Bush ballads and poetry.

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  Chad Morgan, the "clown prince" of Australian country music. Morgan has been performing since the 1950s. His works are peppered with colourful Australian vernacular.

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  Statue of "The Cunnamulla Fella" erected as a tribute to songwriter Stan Coster and singer Slim Dusty

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  Country singer Melinda Schneider with folk-rocker Paul Kelly

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  Lee Kernaghan

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  Keith Urban

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  Archie Roach (right) with Ruby Hunter at the 2009 Tamworth Country Music Festival