Stan Coster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stan Coster
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A bust of Stan Coster in Bicentennial Park, Tamworth, NSW.
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| Background information | |
| Genres |
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| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1956–1996 |
| Labels | Gidgee Records |
Stan Coster OAM (27 May 1930 – 25 March 1997) was a famous Australian country music singer and songwriter. This means he not only sang songs but also wrote the words and music for them.
Many of his songs were made famous by another country star, Slim Dusty. Stan is also the father of country singer Tracy Coster.
Contents
A Country Boy's Beginning
Stan Coster was born in Casino, New South Wales, Australia, in 1930. He was one of seven children, and his whole family was musical. He left school when he was 14 to work.
At 16, he was cutting large wooden beams called "sleepers" for train tracks. He later worked on farms as a station hand, which is someone who helps with animals and general farm work. He also worked on the famous Snowy Mountains Scheme, a huge project to build dams and power stations.
In 1950, Stan joined a travelling rodeo as a rough rider, a person who rides wild horses or bulls. A year later, he married Dorothy Aileen Milto. They had three children, including his daughter Tracy, who also became a country singer.
From Bush Life to Bush Ballads
Stan started writing songs in 1956. He met the legendary singer Slim Dusty in 1960. Slim liked Stan's music and recorded his first Coster song, "Return of the Stockman," in 1962. Over the years, Slim Dusty recorded more than 70 of Stan's songs!
Stan's life working in the Australian bush gave him amazing ideas for his songs. He worked as a cowboy (or "ringer"), a fencer, a horse-breaker, and many other jobs. These experiences helped him write bush ballads, which are songs that tell stories about life in the Australian countryside.
One of his most famous songs, "Three Rivers Hotel," tells the story of building a train line to a remote mine. This song was so popular that it won a Golden Guitar award in 1977. The Golden Guitar is one of the biggest awards in Australian country music.
In the late 1970s, Stan moved to Tamworth, New Soth Wales, known as the "Country Music Capital of Australia." He started his own record label called "Gidgee Records" in 1984 and even appeared in The Slim Dusty Movie.
Major Awards and Recognition
Stan's songwriting talent won him many awards.
- In 1987, he won another Golden Guitar for his song "He's a Good Bloke When He's Sober."
- In 1989, he received a special award called the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contribution to country music.
- The next year, in 1990, he was added to the Australian Roll of Renown, which is like a hall of fame for country music stars.
- He won another Golden Guitar in 1995 for his song "Lawson's Loaded Dog."
Many other famous artists, like John Williamson and Buddy Williams, have also performed Stan Coster's songs.
Final Years
Stan Coster passed away from cancer on 25 March 1997 in Manilla, New South Wales.
Stan Coster's Lasting Legacy
Stan Coster's music and stories are still celebrated today. There are several memorials and statues dedicated to him in towns like Tamworth, Manilla, and in Queensland.
His daughter, Tracy Coster, released a tribute album in 2004 called "Coster Country," where she sang his songs with other famous country artists.
The Cunnamulla Fella
One of Stan's most famous songs is "Cunnamulla Fella," performed by Slim Dusty. The song is about Stan's time working as a sheep shearer near the town of Cunnamulla. In 2005, the town unveiled a bronze statue of the "Cunnamulla Fella" to honor both Stan Coster and Slim Dusty. The statue is a popular attraction and a great tribute to a classic Australian song.
A music festival called the Annual Tenthill Turnout is held every May to celebrate Stan's music.
Australian Roll of Renown
The Australian Roll of Renown honors musicians who have made a big impact on country music in Australia and New Zealand.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Stan Coster | Australian Roll of Renown | inductee |
Country Music Awards of Australia
The Country Music Awards of Australia, also known as the Golden Guitar Awards, are held every January to celebrate the best in Australian country music.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | "Three Rivers Hotel" (written by Stan Coster) recorded by Slim Dusty | APRA Song of the Year | Won |
| 1987 | "He's a Good Bloke When He's Sober" (written by Stan Coster) recorded by Slim Dusty | APRA Song of the Year | Won |
| 1995 | "Lawson's Loaded Dog" (written by Stan Coster) | Bush Ballad Heritage Song of the Year | Won |
Tamworth Songwriters Awards
The Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) gives awards for the best new country songs each year.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "The Ghost of Three Rivers" by Keith Jamieson and Stan Coster | Traditional Bush Ballad of the Year | Won |
- Stan Coster Autobiography : "Travelling My Own Track"; ISBN: 1-876285-61-3
