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Australia has produced several popular country singers, including Keith Urban, Clare Bowen, Kirsty Lee Akers, and Adam Harvey. Urban, perhaps the most famous of these, has released 11 studio albums and charted 37 singles on the US Hot Country Songs chart. With four Grammy Awards and numerous other accolades, Urban embodies the Nashville vibe and is often mistaken for an American. Clare Bowen, on the other hand, is known for her unique, delicate voice and gained recognition for her role in the TV show Nashville. Kirsty Lee Akers is another talented First Nations artist, and Adam Harvey has been nominated three times for awards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popular country singers in Australia | Clare Bowen, Chad Morgan, Tex Morton, Keith Urban, Olivia Newton-John, Lee Kernaghan, Tania Kernaghan, Melinda Schneider, Gina Jeffreys, Beccy Cole, Felicity Urquhart, Adam Brand, Adam Harvey, Amber Lawrence, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Slim Dusty, Joy McKean, Anne Kirkpatrick |
| Popular country songs | "The Sheik of Scrubby Creek", "The Shotgun Wedding", "The Goondiwindi Grey", "Sergeant Small", "Fade Into You", "If I Didn't Know Better", "I Honestly Love You", "Tenterfield Saddler", "Banks of the Ohio", "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Cunnamulla Fella", "Three Rivers Hotel", "Let Me Be There", "Boys From the Bush" |
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What You'll Learn
The influence of American country music on Australian country music
Australia has a rich tradition of country music, with a style that has evolved to become distinct from its American counterpart. While American country music has had an influence on the genre in Australia, other factors have played a part in shaping its unique sound and themes.
Australian country music has been influenced by Celtic and English folk music, the Australian bush ballad tradition, and the traditions of Australian bush balladeers like Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson. Early Australian country songs like "Waltzing Matilda", often regarded as Australia's unofficial national anthem, were influenced by Celtic folk ballads rather than American country music. This strain of Australian country music, with lyrics focusing on Australian subjects, is known as "bush music" or "bush band music". Artists like Gary Shearston, Lionel Long, Margaret Roadknight, Tex Morton, Slim Dusty, and John Williamson have continued to record and popularise these old bush ballads, with contemporary artists like Pat Drummond, Sara Storer, and Lee Kernaghan drawing heavily on this heritage.
The musical styles and instruments used in Australian country music also differ from those of American country music. Australian country music is often accompanied by country instruments such as the guitar, banjo, fiddle, and harmonica, creating a distinctive sound. The style has been influenced by rock and roll forms, resulting in a blend of traditional country sounds with modern pop influences. Australian country music often features heartfelt lyrics about love, family, and the Australian way of life, including themes of outback life, the lives of stockmen, truckers, and outlaws, and songs of political protest.
American country music has had a notable influence on some Australian artists, however. Singer-songwriter Nick Cave has been heavily influenced by the US country music artist Johnny Cash. Cave has recorded several country covers, including songs originally by Cash, and the two artists even collaborated on a duet. Eclectic rocker Keith Urban has also absorbed a great deal of American culture, including music, which is reflected in his work.
Overall, while American country music has had some influence on the genre in Australia, Australian country music has developed its own unique style and themes, shaped by a variety of cultural and musical influences.
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Popular Australian country singers who are not native Aussies
Australia has a thriving country music scene, with many popular country singers. Interestingly, some of the most popular Australian country singers are not native Aussies. Here are some of the most notable non-Australian country singers who have made a significant impact on the Australian country music landscape:
Keith Urban
Born in New Zealand, Keith Urban moved to Queensland, Australia, as a child. He got his start in the Australian music industry as a teenager, appearing on the talent show "New Faces." Urban developed a unique sound that blends rock and country. He formed the band "The Ranch," which achieved instant success and released a critically acclaimed album in 1997. Urban then embarked on a highly successful solo career, winning multiple Grammy Awards and performing on huge stages worldwide. He is known as Australia's "King of Country."
Olivia Newton-John
Born in England, Olivia Newton-John moved to Melbourne, Australia, with her family when she was six years old. She began her career in Australia, singing, appearing on television shows, and recording music before turning 20. Her 1972 self-titled album included country songs, and she won a Grammy for Best Country Female for the song "Let Me Be There." Although she later moved towards pop music, she continued to have country hits, including a remake of "I Honestly Love You" in 1998. Newton-John is a beloved figure in Australia and is considered an "adopted daughter."
Tex Morton
Born in New Zealand, Tex Morton, whose real name was Robert William Lane, became known as the "Yodelling Boundary Rider" due to his popularity in both New Zealand and Australia. He laid the foundation for the bush ballad, travelling throughout Australia in the 1930s and recording music heavily influenced by American country artists. Before World War II, his recordings outsold many American country acts, and he entertained troops during the war. Morton's music reflected the struggles and experiences of the working class, resonating with rural Australians. He was inducted into the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown in 1976.
Clare Bowen
Although Clare Bowen was born in England, she and her family moved to Australia when she was young. She rose to fame as an actress, particularly for her role as Scarlett O'Connor on the popular TV show "Nashville." However, it was this role that also revealed her exceptional talent as a country singer. Bowen has since released several well-received solo tracks and collaborations, including "Fade Into You" and "If I Didn't Know Better." Her unique, delicate singing voice and emotional delivery have made her one of the most popular country singers in Australia today.
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Australian country singers who are also actors
Australia has produced several country singers who have also ventured into acting. Here are some notable examples:
Clare Bowen
Born in New South Wales in 1984, Clare Bowen is known for her acting role as Scarlett on the TV musical drama Nashville, which revealed her exceptional country singing skills. Bowen released music in single and album form during her time on the show, receiving a lot of radio play. In 2018, she released a self-titled album that was well-received by the public.
Olivia Newton-John
Although born in England, Olivia Newton-John is often associated with Australia, having moved to Melbourne with her family at the age of six. She began singing, appearing on television, and recording music before turning 20. While she is known for her self-titled 1972 album, which included country songs, her career shifted more towards pop music. She gained worldwide fame for her role in the movie Grease, which made her a superstar. Newton-John is a Grammy Award winner for Best Country Female.
Slim Dusty
Born in New South Wales in 1927, Slim Dusty, whose real name was David Gordon Kirkpatrick, pioneered the bush ballad, a country-infused style of music that narrated life in the Australian bush. By the age of 11, he had written his first song and chosen his stage name. At 19, he had a record deal and soon released "A Pub With No Beer," which became an international hit and was, at one time, the biggest-selling Australian record of all time. Dusty won numerous Golden Guitar awards and remains Australia's most successful domestic music artist, with over 7 million record sales.
Tex Morton
Born in New Zealand in 1916, Tex Morton, whose real name was Robert William Lane, became known as the "Yodelling Boundary Rider" due to his popularity in both Australia and New Zealand. He laid the foundation for the bush ballad, travelling throughout Australia in the 1930s and creating music influenced by American country artists. Before World War II, his recordings outsold many mainstream American country acts, and he entertained troops during the war. Morton's songs reflected the experiences of the working class, captivating audiences with his blend of music, humour, and storytelling.
Chad Morgan
Nicknamed the "Sheik of Scrubby Creek," Chad Morgan is known for his distinctive musical style and signature teeth. He is considered the "clown prince of comedy" in the world of country music, infusing his songs with witty humour. Over his seven-decade career, Morgan has written and recorded about two dozen albums, with his most famous songs being "The Sheik of Scrubby Creek" and "The Shotgun Wedding."
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Australian country music's unique sound and style
Australia has a unique country music scene, with a broad range of styles, from bluegrass to yodelling to folk. The genre has been influenced by Celtic and English folk music, the Australian bush ballad tradition, and to a lesser extent, popular American country music.
Australian country music has a long history, dating back to the Great Depression, and was initially dominated by the "bush ballad" genre. This style emphasised local and regional themes, with songs about the Australian outback, the lives of stockmen, truckers, and outlaws, and the beauty and dangers of the Australian bush. Artists like Tex Morton, who travelled throughout Australia in the 1930s, laid the foundation for this style, drawing influence from American country artists like Jimmie Rodgers. Morton's music heavily featured the yodelling that would become a staple of Australian country music.
Slim Dusty, born in Nulla Nulla Creek, New South Wales, in 1927, is considered by some to have created the genre of Australian country music. He blended Australian folk, American country influences, and outback culture to create a sound that would define the genre for decades. Dusty's influence was such that a statue was erected outside the Cunnamulla Shire hall in honour of his song "Cunnamulla Fella".
Australia's country music scene has also been particularly popular among Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples, creating a sub-genre often termed Aboriginal country music. Pioneers of this sub-genre include Jimmy Little and Georgia Lee in the 1940s and 1950s, while contemporary Indigenous performers like Troy Cassar-Daley have found success in recent years.
While American country music has been a significant influence, Australian country has also been remarkably resistant to outside influences. For much of the 1950s to the 1970s, the genre remained parochial and shrugged off trends like the pop excesses of the Nashville Sound. However, by the 1970s, many Aussie artists made an effort to modernise their sound. Artists like Chad Morgan poked fun at rural life in their music, while Clare Bowen's unique, delicate singing voice and emotional delivery make her a stand-out in today's country music scene.
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Australian country singers with the most awards
Australia has a rich country music scene, with many artists achieving success and awards over the years. Here are some of the Australian country singers with the most awards:
Slim Dusty
Slim Dusty, born David Gordon Kirkpatrick, is an Australian cultural icon and one of the country's most awarded stars. With a career spanning almost seven decades, he produced numerous recordings that celebrated the Australian bush and the works of renowned bush poets. He was married to fellow country singer Joy McKean, and their daughter Anne Kirkpatrick is also a country music artist. Slim Dusty is known as Australia's "King of Country" and may be the most important figure in the country's history in the genre.
Joy McKean
Joy McKean, also known as the "grand lady" of Australian country music, is another artist who captured the spirit of the Australian outback and rural life. While she rarely recorded solo tracks, she often performed with her husband Slim Dusty or with her sister Heather as The McKean Sisters. McKean wrote some of Slim Dusty's biggest hits, including "Lights on the Hill" and "Walk a Country Mile". Over her career, she earned numerous awards, including an APRA award, an Australian Women in Music award, several Country Music Awards (Golden Guitar Awards), and a few Tamworth Songwriters Awards. She was also inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown.
Keith Urban
Keith Urban, although born in New Zealand, was raised in Queensland, Australia. He is a hugely successful country music star, known for songs like "Somebody Like You" and "Blue Ain't Your Color". Urban has won multiple Grammy Awards and has performed on huge stages worldwide. He is married to actor Nicole Kidman. With his signature sound blending rock and country, he is a leading example of a world-famous Australian country singer.
Chad Morgan
Chad Morgan, also known as the "clown prince of comedy" in the country music world, is famous for his distinctive musical style and signature teeth. Throughout his seven-decade career, he has written and recorded about two dozen albums, with his most recent, "Quarantined", released in 2021. Morgan has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 with the CMAA and was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown - Australian Country Music Hall of Fame.
John Williamson
John Williamson is an Australian country music and folk music singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He usually writes and performs songs that relate to the history and culture of Australia, particularly the outback. Williamson has released numerous albums, videos, DVDs, and lyric books, and has sold more than 4,000,000 albums in Australia. He has received twenty-six Golden Guitar trophies at the Country Music Awards of Australia, three ARIA Music Awards for Best Country Album, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Tex Morton
Born Robert William Lane in New Zealand, Tex Morton became known as the "Yodelling Boundary Rider" due to his popularity in both Australia and New Zealand. He laid the foundation for the bush ballad, travelling throughout Australia in the 1930s and recording music heavily influenced by American country artists. Before World War II, his recordings outsold many mainstream American country acts. Morton was inducted into the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown in 1976 and the Country Music Awards (Golden Guitar Awards) of Australia Hands of Fame in 1977.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the most popular country singers in Australia are Keith Urban, Clare Bowen, Kirsty Lee Akers, and Adam Harvey.
Keith Urban is probably the leading example of world-famous Australian country singers. He has been recognised with four Grammy Awards and has released 11 studio albums. His music is popular both in Australia and with country music fans internationally.
Clare Bowen has a unique, delicate singing voice and an emotional delivery that makes her a stand-out sound in today's country music scene.
Kirsty Lee Akers is one of Australia's most unique and authentic recording artists. She is proud of her First Nations heritage.
