Mike Jackson (Australian entertainer) facts for kids

Mike Jackson OAM is a super talented Australian entertainer! He's a recording artist, songwriter, radio host, and author, especially famous for his music for kids. You might know him best from his version of Bananas in Pyjamas or his appearances on ABC Television.

Mike Jackson's Musical Journey

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Mike Jackson was born in 1946 in Fishtoft, England. In 1970, he moved to Australia with his wife, Lynn. They settled in Sydney.

There, Mike rediscovered his love for folk music. He had grown up listening to his grandfather sing and play. Mike taught himself harmonica in high school. Soon, he learned to play many other instruments too! People said he could make music with almost anything.

First Professional Gigs and Radio Shows

In 1972, Mike and Lynn moved to Canberra. Mike started playing music regularly at folk clubs. He performed his first professional show in Melbourne that same year.

In 1973, Mike began hosting a radio show called The Lark in the Morning. It was on Canberra's public radio station 2XX FM. This show is still running today! During this time, he also started a music group called Pageant.

Becoming a Recording Artist

By 1974, Mike was a well-known recording artist and radio host. He performed his first solo show at a National Folk Festival. He also played music for the Larrikin Records album Man of the Earth. His group, Pageant, released their own album of songs.

In 1975, Mike started another band called The Higgins Municipal Bush Band. This band often performed at concerts and festivals alongside Pageant.

Full-Time Musician and Touring

Pageant performed for the last time in 1976. Mike decided to become a full-time professional musician and entertainer. He received a grant to tour schools. He also had many bookings for shows.

In 1979, Mike met Michelle Freeman while performing. They soon got married.

Creating Music for Kids

In 1980, Mike wrote his first song for children, "The Bondi Tram." It was written very early in the morning in a motel room! That same year, Mike and Michelle Jackson recorded their first children's album, Bunyips, Bunnies and Brumbies. This album was a huge success and went Gold!

They toured Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the US for seven years. They performed almost non-stop. In 1986, Mike and Michelle decided to go their separate ways.

Awards and Recognition

In 2013, Mike received the National Folk Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors artists who have greatly helped folk music and arts in Australia. It also recognizes their ongoing support for the National Folk Festival.

The award recognized Mike for nurturing young people's love for folk music. He has traveled all over Australia and overseas. Many say he has performed live for more children than The Wiggles!

In 2015, Mike was given the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). This is a special honor for his service to the performing arts as a musician, composer, and entertainer.

Mike Jackson's Musical Groups

Colonial Experience Band

In 1973, Mike joined a band called Colonial Experience. This band played Bush Dance music. At that time, traditional folk dance was becoming very popular in Australia. The band often played at dances and weddings. They even got to test the sound in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House before it officially opened!

Pageant A Cappella Group

Mike started the 6-person a cappella group Pageant in Canberra in 1973. Their first show was at the Wagga Wagga Folk Festival. Pageant started by singing Christmas carols. Soon, they expanded to singing songs inspired by English folk bands. Pageant recorded one album called Pageant in 1975. They performed at many festivals before stopping in 1976.

The Higgins Municipal Bush Band

Mike's next band was The Higgins Municipal Bush Band. They performed on National Television just twenty minutes after first meeting! For publicity for a festival, the band members arrived at the TV studios. They were supposed to dance for another band, but that band didn't show up. So, they quickly grabbed their instruments, made up a name, and performed! Even though they lived far apart, the band performed almost every week for several years.

Musical Duos with Mike Jackson

• Mike and Michelle Jackson
• Mike Jackson with Peter Hayes
• Mike Jackson with Ian Blake
• Mike Jackson with Rowan Hammond
• Mike Jackson with Diane Hill
• Mike Jackson with Thom Jackson

Instruments Mike Jackson Plays

Mike Jackson plays many instruments, including:

• Anglo concertina
• Autoharp
• Bandoneon
• Bodhran
• Bones
• Hammered dulcimer
• Harmonica
• Hurdy-gurdy
• Jaw harp
• Kazoo
• Melodeon
• Mountain dulcimer
• Ocarina
• Spoons
• Ukulele

Other Performance Talents

Mike Jackson also has other amazing performance skills:

• String games
• Juggling
• Storytelling
• Poetry

Mike Jackson's Albums

• Man of the Earth (backing vocals and various instruments)
• Pageant
• Revived and Relieved (various instruments)
• No Man's Land'(backing vocals and various instruments)
• Patchwork
• Bunyips, Bunnies and Brumbies (Gold Disk)
• The Roaring Days
• Ain't it Great to be Crazy (Gold Disk)
• Dances for Little Kids Vol.1 (Gold Disk)
• Car Tunes
• Riding Along
• Who Built the Ark?
• Sleepytime Songs
• Afloat in a Boat
• Rufty Tufty
• Concert for Little Kids
• Mulga Bill's Bicycle
• The Animals Noah Forgot
• Toy Box Bop
• Dances for Little Kids Vol.2
• Waltzing Matilda
• The Loaded Dog
• The Man from Snowy River
• The Old Bark School
• Bedtime Songs
• I'm a Nut!!
• Dr Knickerbocker
• Uke'n Play Ukulele
• Singing in the Night Time
• Uke'n Play Ukulele for Kids
• Uke'n Play Country Ukulele
• Uke'n Play Ukulele Supa Easy Ukulele
• Uke'n Play Ukulele Omnibus Edition
• Uke'n Play Christmas Ukulele
• Uke'n Play Ukulele for Teachers
• Mike Jackson's Best Ever Kids' Songs (Book plus two CDs)
• Come on and Move Your Body
• Oopsy Daisy

Mike Jackson in Film and TV

Movies

• Crackers (1998) – Music only

Television Shows

ABC TV

• Mr. Squiggle
• Alexander Bunyip's Billabong

Channel 9

• Moby Dick (1998) – Billed as Michael Jackson
• Red Faces ("Hey Hey Its Saturday" segment)
• Over Ann's Rainbow

Videos

• ABC for Kids Video Recordings: Mike Jackson's Concert for Little Kids

Awards and Nominations

ARIA Music Awards