John Williamson (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Williamson
John Williamson, August 2012, State Theatre, Sydney
Background information
Birth name	John Robert Williamson
Also known as	Ludwig Leichhardt
Born	(1945-11-01) 1 November 1945 (age 79) Kerang, Victoria, Australia
Genres	Country and rock
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalist television presenter conservationist
Instruments	Vocals acoustic guitar ukulele harmonica footbox jaw harp
Years active	1970–present
Labels	Fable Reg Grundy Mercury Polygram Festival Records EMI Gumleaf Reader's Digest
Associated acts	Chad Morgan Stan Coster Slim Dusty Jimmy Little Ricky & Tammy Emma Hannah Sydney Radio Pixie Jenkins Warren H Williams Sara Storer Amos Morris Adam Harvey Tommy Emmanuel

John Robert Williamson is a famous Australian country and folk singer. He was born on November 1, 1945. John is known for writing and singing songs about Australia's history and culture, especially about the outback. He is a lot like other well-known Australian singers such as Slim Dusty.

John Williamson has released over fifty albums and sold more than 4 million albums in Australia. His most famous song is "True Blue". In 1992, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia. This was for his great work in Australian country music and for helping people care about nature. He has won many awards, including twenty-six Golden Guitar trophies and three ARIA Music Awards. In 2010, he was added to the ARIA Hall of Fame.

John Williamson's Early Life

John Robert Williamson was born in Kerang, Victoria, on November 1, 1945. He grew up in a small town called Quambatook. His parents were farmers who grew wheat. They also loved to sing in local shows. John is the oldest of five brothers.

How John Williamson Started in Music

John Williamson's music style comes from growing up on a farm, not in a city. People sometimes call him 'The Mallee Boy' because of this. When he was young, he was inspired by musicians like Roger Miller and Rolf Harris.

John started playing the ukulele when he was seven years old. His dad taught him. When he was twelve, he learned to play the guitar and taught himself the harmonica. He went to Scotch College in Melbourne for high school. In the early 1960s, he started a folk music group while still at school. After school, John went back to farming. In 1965, his family moved to Croppa Creek, near Moree. There, John started performing at a local restaurant.

John Williamson's Music Career

The 1970s: Getting Started

In 1969, John Williamson wrote a fun song called "Old Man Emu". In 1970, he sang it on a TV talent show called New Faces and won first place! He said that he always needs his guitar with him to write songs. He writes the words and music at the same time.

Soon after, he signed a music deal with Fable Records. In May 1970, "Old Man Emu" was released as a single. It became a big hit, reaching No. 3 on the music charts. It was so popular that it was one of the top songs of 1970. His first album, also called John Williamson, came out that year.

In 1973, John hosted a country music TV show called Travlin' Out West. It ran for two years. He performed with other musicians on the show. In 1978, he released his third album, Road to Town. That same year, John started a country music band called Crow. They played in pubs and clubs all over Australia. Later, in 1980, the band changed its name to Sydney Radio and started playing rock music.

The 1980s: Becoming a Star

In 1981, John Williamson started playing music by himself again. He wrote a special song for ANZACs called "Diggers of the ANZAC (This Is Gallipoli)". It was very popular. John also met Pixie Jenkins, a fiddle player, and they toured together for many years.

In 1982, he recorded his famous song "True Blue". This song helped him become known for more than just "Old Man Emu". It was about being truly Australian. In 1983, he released his first live album, Singing in the Suburbs. He also started his own business, The Fair Dinkum Road Company.

In 1985, John started his own record label called Gumleaf Recordings. He won 'Song of the Year' for "Queen in the Sport of Kings" at the Country Music Awards. In 1986, he released All the Best!, which had many of his popular songs. He also sang "Goodbye Blinky Bill" with his daughters and another group. This song helped raise money for koala protection.

In November 1986, John released his very successful album, Mallee Boy. It reached the Top 10 on the music charts and stayed popular for a long time. This album told stories about his life on the farm and about Australia. Mallee Boy won the first-ever 'Best Country Album' award at the ARIA Music Awards of 1987. It also won 'Album of the Year' and 'Male Vocalist of the Year' for "True Blue" at the Country Music Awards. "True Blue" was even used in TV ads for Australian-made products and became a theme song for the Australia national cricket team.

In 1988, John released his album Boomerang Café, which also reached the Top 10. It won his second 'Best Country Album' award at the ARIA Music Awards. In 1989, his album Warragul became his first number-one album.

The 1990s: More Success

In 1990, John Williamson won many awards for his album Warragul. He also released JW's Family Album, which was very popular. A new version of "Old Man Emu" came out, with a new line about dingos.

In 1991, John helped start the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). This group helps support Australian country music. In 1992, his album Australia Calling – All the Best Vol 2 was released. It included a new song, "Australia Calling". He also recorded "I'll Be Gone" to help raise awareness for young people experiencing homelessness.

In 1993, John released Love is a Good Woman, an album of his love songs. After Sydney won the bid to host the 2000 Summer Olympics, John wrote "Sydney 2000". He even performed it at the Sydney Opera House. In 1994, he released the album Mulga to Mangoes.

In 1995, John celebrated 25 years in music with a new album, True Blue – The Very Best of John Williamson. He also published a book called True Blue: Stories and Songs of Australia, which had his song lyrics and stories. In 1997, he was added to the Country Music Association of Australia's Roll of Renown. His album Pipe Dream came out that year and was very successful. It included "Sir Don", a song about the famous cricketer Donald Bradman.

The 2000s: New Songs and Tributes

In 2000, John Williamson won more awards for his album The Way It Is. He released a new album called Anthems – A Celebration of Australia. It included songs like "This Ancient Land" with Jimmy Little, and songs for the Wallabies and the national cricket team. He was even invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics.

In 2001, John performed "Sir Don" at Donald Bradman's memorial service. The original notes he used to write the song are now in the Bradman Museum. In 2002, he released Gunyah, which means 'home' in an Aboriginal language. This album had songs about the Australian outback and places like Cape York Peninsula.

In 2003, John became the President of the CMAA. He also released True Blue Two, a follow-up to his earlier hits album. He was asked by the Prime Minister to sing "Waltzing Matilda" at a memorial service for the victims of the 2002 Bali bombings.

In 2004, John won awards with Sara Storer for their song "Raining on the Plains". In 2005, he released Chandelier of Stars, which was another successful album. It included songs about his wife, the night sky, and a tribute to country music legends. It also had "Flower on the Water", a song for the Bali bombing victims.

In 2006, John released The Platinum Collection, a three-disc set of his hits. He was very sad when his friend, wildlife expert Steve Irwin, passed away. John wrote a tribute song called "Wildlife Warriors: It's Time". He also performed "Home Among the Gum Trees" and "True Blue" at Steve Irwin's memorial service.

In 2008, a musical based on John's music, called Quambatook – The Musical, was performed for the first time. His album Hillbilly Road was also released that year.

The 2010s: Celebrating Milestones

On Australia Day 2010, John Williamson released a new Australian song called "Island of Oceans" with Shannon Noll. He also released a double-CD album, Absolute Greatest: 40 Years True Blue, to celebrate 40 years of his music.

In 2011, John released a recording of a concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House. In 2012, he released The Big Red. In 2014, John released his fiftieth album, Honest People. He also wrote his autobiography (a book about his own life). In 2014, John shared that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

In 2016, he released an EP (a shorter album) called Looking for a Story. His twentieth studio album, Butcherbird, came out in 2018.

The 2020s: Winding Back

In 2020, John Williamson celebrated 50 years since "Old Man Emu" was released. He put out a special box set of 25 CDs with 50 songs from his career. He said he would be doing fewer live shows to spend more time at home. The album JW 50 – Winding Back 1970–2020 was released in June 2020.

In September 2023, John released two songs, "Voice From The Heart" and "Uluru Forever". These songs supported the "Yes" campaign for the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum. In 2025, John plans to continue his tour and release his 21st studio album, How Many Songs.

John Williamson's Personal Life

In the early 1970s, John Williamson met Mary-Kay Price. They married in 1973 and had two daughters, Ami and Georgie. John wrote some love songs for Mary-Kay, including "Little Girl from the Dryland". John later married Meg Doyle in March 2013. They live in Springbrook, Queensland, and also have an apartment in Sydney. John enjoys unwinding in Springbrook and finds inspiration for new songs there.

His daughter, Ami, is also a musician. She has toured with her dad and even performed for Australian soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. John is also a supporter of Australia becoming a Republic, meaning he believes Australia should have its own head of state instead of the British monarch.

John's brother Robin passed away from cancer in 1999. John dedicated the song "Salisbury Street" on his 2002 album Gunyah to Robin. Salisbury Street was where their second family home in Quambatook was located. Today, John lives in the hinterland suburb of Springbrook. He sometimes hosts concerts at his own venue there called Willoshed.

John Williamson's Music Albums

• John Williamson (1970)
• Comic Strip Cowboy (1976)
• Road to Town (1978)
• Fair Dinkum J.W. (1982)
• Road Thru the Heart (1985)
• Mallee Boy (1986)
• Boomerang Café (1988)
• Warragul (1989)
• JW's Family Album (1990)
• Waratah St (1991)
• Mulga to Mangoes (1994)
• Family Album No.2 (1996)
• Pipe Dream (1997)
• The Way It Is (1999)
• Gunyah (2002)
• Chandelier of Stars (2005)
• Hillbilly Road (2008)
• The Big Red (2012)
• Honest People (2014)
• Butcherbird (2018)
• How Many Days (2025)

Awards and Recognition

John Williamson has received many awards for his music and his work.

On Australia Day in 1992, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This was for his contributions to Australian country music and for raising awareness about protecting nature. He is also an ambassador for the Protect Our Coral Sea group.

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards celebrate the best songwriters and music composers. John Williamson has won three APRA Music Awards for his country songs.

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are big awards in the Australian music industry. John Williamson has won four ARIA Awards from twelve nominations. In 2010, he was added to the ARIA Hall of Fame. He has won 'Best Country Album' three times.

CMAA Awards (Golden Guitars)

The Country Music Awards of Australia, also known as the Golden Guitars, are very important in Australian country music. John Williamson has won twenty-seven of these awards, including being added to their Roll of Renown in 1997.

Mo Awards

The Mo Awards recognized achievements in live entertainment in Australia. John Williamson won eight of these awards.

Tamworth Songwriters Awards

The Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) holds an annual contest for country songs. John Williamson has won eight of these awards.

Images for kids

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  John Williamson, August 2012, State Theatre, Sydney