Gary Shearston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gary Shearston
SAFA Fundraiser, Paddington Town Hall, 21 January, 1965
Born	January 9, 1939 Inverell, New South Wales

Gary Reht Shearston, born on January 9, 1939, is an Australian singer and songwriter. He was a very important person in the folk music world during the 1960s. Gary was well-known for singing traditional Australian folk songs. In 1974, he had a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom with his version of the famous Cole Porter song, "I Get A Kick Out Of You".

Early Life and School

Gary Shearston was born in Inverell, a town in New South Wales, Australia. His father served in World War II. Because of this, Gary and his mother lived with his grandparents in Tenterfield. When he was 11 years old, his family moved to Sydney. He went to Newington College from 1950 to 1955.

First Jobs

Gary Shearston started his working life as a writer for a newspaper called United Press. His first job in entertainment was with the Tintookies. This was a famous Australian traveling puppet show. Later, he joined the Hayes Gordon Ensemble Theatre. There, he worked as an actor and helped manage the stage. He even hosted a children's quiz show on television called Name That Tune.

Music Career Highlights

Gary Shearston played the guitar and sang many folk songs. These songs came from England, America, and Australia. When he was 19, he became a full-time singer. He performed in hotels and at a place called The Folksinger. He also sang with Brother John Sellers, an American gospel and blues singer.

In 1962, Gary signed a record deal with Leedon. The next year, another company called Festival signed him to CBS. In March 1965, Sydney radio stations started playing a song from his record, Australian Broadside. His song "Sydney Town" became a Top 10 hit in his home city.

In 1966 and 1967, Gary Shearston was Australia's best-selling folk singer. He even had his own national television show called Just Folk. The famous folk group Peter, Paul and Mary recorded a song he wrote called "Sometime Lovin'". They invited Gary to visit America. He spent a year in London and then four years on the East Coast of the United States of America.

In 1972, he went back to England and recorded songs for his album Dingo. He had a very big hit with his calm, emotionless (deadpan) version of Cole Porter's "I Get A Kick Out Of You". In 1990, he won an award from the Tamworth Songwriters' Association for "Bush Ballad of the Year".

Life as a Minister

Gary Shearston returned to Australia in 1989. He is now an Anglican Church minister in country Australia.

Popular Songs

• Sometime Lovin' - 1965
• Sydney Town - 1965
• I Get A Kick Out Of You - 1974

See also

In Spanish: Gary Shearston para niños