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101-580: Karin Jansson and Ann Carlberger went to Australia in 1987. Jansson dated and became the domestic partner of Steve Kilbey of The Church and co-wrote their hit song " Under the Milky Way ". With Kilbey, she became mother to twin daughters Elektra and Miranda (born 1991 in Sydney) who now perform as Say Lou Lou . Jansson and Kilbey also formed the band Curious (Yellow) on Red Eye Records . Jansson now runs

202-657: A water tank . Williamson performed at the opening of the New Parliament House . In September 1989, he issued Warragul (meaning dingo in the Wiradjuri language ), which became his first number-one album the following month. That same year Variety Club named him 'Entertainer of the Year'. At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 1990, John Williamson won 'Top Selling Album' and 'Album of

303-448: A 60-year-old surgeon walked into the theatre. You would think, I'm in safe hands. He's been doing this all his life and he's very good at it. I think I have become very good at pulling lyrics and melodies out of the air. Melodies weren't always my strong point; on a lot of The Church's early records the melodies weren't as elaborate as what I'm doing now. In the last few years, I think I am tapping into something ... It's like I'm tapping into

404-449: A Career was released. In 2014, Williamson released his fiftieth album (including compilations) called Honest People , as well as writing his autobiography , issued by Penguin . Both were released on 25 July 2014. As well as this, he made his debut as an exhibitionist painter. In 2014, it was announced by John via A Current Affair that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer . In April 2016, he released an EP called Looking for

505-531: A July 2014 feature interview with McMillen for the Australian newspaper. Kilbey explained in an article that he was introduced to the drug by now-deceased Australian musician Grant McLennan , of Brisbane band The Go-Betweens , during the recording period for a new project named Jack Frost . "It came right out of the blue... It [heroin] was the last thing on my mind. I went, 'Oh, here's $ 100, get me some too.' No one had ever offered it to me up until then. All

606-456: A Republic , stating "I believe that those who cling to the Monarchy [...] are no different [...] from those who objected to the then proposed Federation [...]. In other words, there is no doubt in my mind that a Republic is inevitable [...]." His middle brother Robin died of cancer in 1999. The song "Salisbury Street" on Williamson's 2002 album "Gunyah" was dedicated to Robin. Salisbury Street

707-630: A Story , a new ANZAC tribute and six other sets of previously issued lyrics. John released his twentieth studio album Butcherbird in August 2018. In 2020, Williamson celebrated 50 years since the release of "Old Man Emu", by releasing a 25xCD single box set, featuring 50 tracks spanning his career. Williamson said "Putting together this collection gave me a chance to take stock of what I've achieved during my career... While I'm not looking to retire just yet, once I've completed my 2020 Winding Back Tour I'll be scaling down my live appearances. I've always loved

808-566: A Swedish band or other musical ensemble is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Steve Kilbey Steven John Kilbey (born 13 September 1954) is an English born Australian singer-songwriter best known as the lead singer and bass guitarist for the rock band The Church . He is also a music producer, poet, and painter. As of 2020, Kilbey has released 14 solo albums and has collaborated on recordings with musical artists such as Martin Kennedy, Stephen Cummings and Ricky Maymi as

909-429: A book of poetry entitled Nineveh/The Ephemeron ; Kilbey later republished a hard copy version that contained both books and a limited number of 50 copies was released. In August 2013, Uncollected , described as, "A deluxe edition of his books – Earthed, The Ephemeron, Nineveh, Fruit Machine and other selected work", was released on his own Time Being label. Kilbey's inaugural autobiography, Something Quite Peculiar ,

1010-551: A country music TV series, Travlin' Out West , which ran for two years, broadcast by NBN-3 , Newcastle. He performed with two regular acts, Ricky & Tammy, and Emma Hannah. The program provided two albums for the regulars, Travlin' Out West in Concert (1973) and From Travlin' Out West (1974) issued by Reg Grundy Productions . In 1976 he issued his second album, The Comic Strip Cowboy , but it failed to chart. In early 1978, Williamson released his first compilation album under

1111-487: A cover version of Stan Coster 's "Wobbly Boot Hotel" on Waratah St in 1991, he re-recorded it in 2004 as a duet with Coster's daughter Tracy on "Coster Country", her tribute album to him. 2005 was a productive year for John in terms of recording and touring; he re-recorded "Wrinkles" as a duet with John Stephan, issued a twenty-track compilation of Queensland-themed songs, called "From Bulldust to Bitumen", available only to RACQ members, and in August, Chandelier of Stars

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1212-475: A lengthy speech as part of the induction that included stories from his musical career and a sung verse from the song "Old Man Emu" by Australian country music artist John Williamson . In late 2012, as an act of protest against the conduct of the Church's North American label Second Motion Records , Kilbey announced his resignation from the band. The announcement was made on Kilbey's Facebook fan page following

1313-514: A musical. Based on his music and lyrics, the book by Simon Heath and directed by Bernie Zelvis , Williamson named it Quambatook – The Musical . On 7 February 2008, the musical was premiered at the EVAN Theater in Penrith to positive reviews, making it a major highlight in the history of Australian musical theatre. The album Hillbilly Road was released in August 2008. The lyrics for

1414-418: A popular dream pop duo called Say Lou Lou and record in their homeland of Sweden. He also has a second set of twins, Eve and Aurora as well as another daughter, Scarlet. As documented in the authorised biography No Certainty Attached (written with Kilbey's involvement), Kilbey was dependent on the drug heroin during the 1990s, an aspect of the musician's personal life that was mostly hidden until Kilbey

1515-600: A press conference for the album in Tamworth on 21 January hosted by the then Governor-General Quentin Bryce , in his acceptance speech, John expressed his gratitude for the longevity of his career up to that point, in the process thanking his fans, friends and family, including his first wife, Mary-Kay. On 28 January 2011 Williamson released a recording of a concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at

1616-463: A problem. If you lived in 1890 and you were an opium fiend, that was your problem: to take it and to find out how to stop taking it. It was nothing to do with the law ... Now, I'm not going to sit here and go, 'Oh, kids, look what I did to my life because I was a drug addict. Please don't be like me. Please be Mister Straight.' I don't believe in that either. I think we have to grow up and look at why drugs are illegal ... I just don't want people to believe

1717-580: A relationship with a new partner, Meg Doyle, who organises some of his activities. The couple divide their time living together between Springbrook and their Sydney apartment and were married in March 2013. His daughter, Ami, is also a musician, who has toured with Williamson. In early 2008, she toured Australian Defence Force bases in Iraq and Afghanistan to play to troops: she appeared on two episodes, "Show of Force", on Australian Story (May 2008) describing

1818-585: A series of jingles for Laws' morning show on 2UE , and his final jingle was "Hey good on ya Lawsie, you pulled the plug at last". Laws made a successful comeback to radio broadcasting in February 2011, this time at 2SM , part of the Super Radio Network, and Williamson's jingles for his programme resumed. In early 1981 John Williamson's rock group, Sydney Radio, disbanded and he began playing solo in pubs, which attracted more new fans. He recorded

1919-597: A supporting actor). "The Breaker" enabled Williamson to cast off the "Old Man Emu" novelty tag and "[h]is long apprenticeship flowed into an apparently endless set of songs charming Australians with stories and images about themselves and their country". In 1982, he recorded a new track, " True Blue ", which was included on a compilation album, True Blue: The Best of John Williamson . Later that year, he issued Fair Dinkum J.W. , featuring traditional Australian ballads, "With My Swag upon My Shoulder", "Botany Bay" and "Brisbane Ladies"; as well as originals, "Country Football", "Kill

2020-465: A three-disc set of Williamson's hits from 1970 – 2005 was released. In September, Williamson was devastated after hearing of the death of fellow wildlife conservationist and friend, Steve Irwin . In reaction to the news, he wrote a tribute tune, "Wildlife Warriors: It's Time". He was evidently emotional while performing both " Home Among the Gum Trees " and "True Blue" at Irwin's memorial service inside

2121-462: A tribute song for ANZACs , "Diggers of the ANZAC (This Is Gallipoli)", which was well received and issued as a single. Williamson met Pixie Jenkins , a fiddle player, and the two toured together for several years. In April 1981 Williamson issued a single, "The Breaker", featuring narrated vocals by Charles 'Bud' Tingwell , which was inspired by the movie, Breaker Morant (1980) (which had Tingwell as

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2222-436: A vocalist, musician, writer and/or producer. Ian McFarlane writes that "Kilbey's solo recordings [are] challenging and evocative. They ran the gamut of sounds and emotions from electronic and avant-garde to acoustic and symphonic, joyous and dreamy to saturnine and sardonic". As of 2020, Kilbey has over 1,000 original songs registered with Australian copyright agency Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) . Kilbey

2323-643: A yoga studio in Stockholm, writes poetry and music. Carlberger is married and has a son and a daughter. She is the manager of the Science Fiction Bookstore in Gamla Stan in Stockholm. Stina Berge started writing children's books and released a solo album in 2008. Kajsa Grytt became a leading member of Tant Strul . The albums were released under the MNW label. This article about

2424-553: Is a bush lullaby for Aboriginal children. Also on Chandelier of Stars is "A Country Balladeer" which is a duet with Chad Morgan , and "Flower on the Water" is a tribute to the victims of the Bali bombings. The first four lines are inspired by words on a photo of a deceased victim: "To hear your voice, to see you smile / To sit and talk to you awhile / To be together the same old way / That would be our greatest wish today". Williamson found

2525-579: Is a description of the night sky before sunrise. "Bells in a Bushman's Ear" is a tribute to Australia's country music forefathers, and "The Camel Boy" is about the life of indigenous artist, Albert Namatjira , who is Warren H Williams ' great uncle. "Keeper of the Stones", which first appeared on Williamson's live album and DVD of 2004, Mates on the Road , was dedicated to indigenous Australians of The Stolen Generation . "Desert Child", another duet with Williams

2626-438: Is evident in the lyrics of songs as early as "An Interlude" with its line "psychic angels spread on the top of her head", and the song "Tear It All Away" whose lyrics are clearly about seeing beyond the mundane [1] . The song "When You Were Mine" on The Blurred Crusade is about past-life experience ("On a day like this, a hundred lifetimes ago..."). "Myrrh" from Heyday includes Christian imagery but seems to be as much about

2727-461: Is referred to by the nickname, 'The Mallee Boy'. His early musical influences were Roger Miller and Rolf Harris , both of whom provided inspirational elements for his first hit, namely using a vocal imitation from Miller's " Dang Me " and replacing Rolf's wobble board with a Jaw's Harp . From the age of seven he learned to play the ukulele from his father, before proceeding when he was twelve to guitar and taught himself to play harmonica. For

2828-494: The 2002 Bali bombings . At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 2004 Williamson and Sara Storer won 'Vocal Collaboration of the Year' and 'Single of the Year' for "Raining on the Plains", and the track won 'Song of the Year' which was shared with Storer and her co-writers, Garth Porter and Doug Storer. The track is on Storer's 2002 album, Beautiful Circle . With regard to new arrangements of John's songs, having recorded

2929-523: The ARIA Hall of Fame on 27 October 2010. He has won the 'Best Country Album' category three times, including the inaugural award in 1987, from six nominations. These annual awards have been presented since 1973 and have been organised by Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) from 1993, to "encourage, promote and recognise excellence in Australian country music recording". From that time

3030-476: The Australian interview, "it [heroin] doesn't do it for me. I have no temptation. I'm just not interested anymore." The interview concludes with Kilbey expressing his belief about the problematic nature of drug prohibition, whereby the musician referred to opiate use during the 19th century. "We let people have booze, cigarettes, wars ... Why not let them have smack? People used to take it and it wasn't seen as

3131-585: The Bhagavad Gita as a particular influence, describing himself as a devotee of Krishna . The Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 2004 to honour the lifetime achievements of some of Australia's greatest songwriters. John Williamson (singer) John Robert Williamson AM (born 1 November 1945) is an Australian country music and folk music singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, television host and conservationist. Williamson usually writes and performs songs that relate to

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3232-507: The Country Greats series. This was followed later in the year by his third album, Road to Town , with contributions by other musicians including Tommy Emmanuel on guitar. Also that year Williamson formed a country music band, Crow, which performed on the pub and club circuit across Australia. In 1980 Crow were renamed as Sydney Radio, to play rock music with a reggae influence. The members used face paint, with Williamson disguised as

3333-479: The Mallee district of north-western Victoria. His parents farmed wheat crops on various small land lots in the region and both were amateur performing artists singing in local Gilbert & Sullivan productions. Williamson is the oldest of five sons whose names in order are William, Robin, Peter and Jeff. Williamson's performance style originates from his 'farmland, not city bitumen' lifestyle, and his upbringing

3434-716: The Sydney Opera House . At the Australian Country Music Awards in Tamworth that same month John presented Jimmy Little with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In January 2012, Williamson released The Big Red . The first two singles lifted from the work are "Hang My Hat in Queensland" and the title track. Early in 2013 "Prairie Hotel Parachilna" was released. In 2013, a new two-disc set of John's hits, Hell of

3535-514: The "Yes" campaign for the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum : "Voice From The Heart" and "Uluru Forever". In the early 1970s John was living in Leichhardt and met Mary-Kay Price. Her parents had farmed on Tulloona Plain between Moree and Goondiwindi , and her father was a World War II soldier-settler. In 1973, Williamson married Mary-Kay on her parents' farm. The couple have two daughters, Ami and Georgie. Ami recalled "[w]hen Dad

3636-614: The Australian record label Karmic Hit. The label roster included the owners' bands, side projects and solo works as well as those by other artists: the Bhagavad Guitars (John Kilbey's group), Snog , David Lane and Halogen . In 1997, Kilbey collaborated with brother Russell on the ambient instrumental/electronic album Gilt Trip . (1997) In May 1997, Kilbey released Narcosis Plus . Between 2009 and 2017, Kilbey released numerous collaborative albums with Martin Kennedy of All India Radio as Kilbey/Kennedy. Kennedy explained

3737-573: The Best Vol 2 , was released in October, which peaked at number 32 and was certified platinum. Its lead single, "Australia Calling", was also released while another new track was the studio recording of "I'll Be Gone", and was used to raise awareness for homeless youth. At the beginning of 1993, Williamson issued Love is a Good Woman , a compilation of his love songs, with new tracks "Good Woman" and "Misty Blue". In September that year, after watching

3838-560: The CMAA. He gave up the position of his own volition, unhappy with the "growing influence of American music". On Australia Day 1992 John Williamson was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) with the citation: "for service to Australian country music and in stimulating awareness of conservation issues". In the 2006 book, 1001 Australians You Should Know , music journalists , Toby Creswell and Samantha Chenoweth describe him as "[o]ne of

3939-581: The Church , together with Koppes and Nick Ward in Sydney in the late 1970s. Marty Willson Piper joined the band in May 1980 days after his arrival in Australia when he went to see the band play a gig. After some success in their native Australia in the early 1980s, Kilbey and The Church went on to international fame when " Under the Milky Way ", from the 1988 album Starfish , achieved success (Kilbey had co-written

4040-592: The Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1987, he won 'Album of the Year' for Mallee Boy and 'Male Vocalist of the Year' for " True Blue ". Popular tracks include the title song, "Galleries of Pink Galahs" (see Galah ), " Raining on the Rock " (see Uluru ) and "Cootamundra Wattle" (see Acacia baileyana ). The album had a re-recorded version of "True Blue" which was released as a single in September. Williamson

4141-612: The Fly By Night venue in the Western Australian port city of Fremantle , with local musicians, Shaun and Adrian Hoffmann (The Hoffmenn), Shaun Corlson, Rachael Aquillina and Anna Sarcich playing as his backing band. Aquillina and Sarcich formed the string section, leading to the naming of the corresponding live recording: With Strings Attached . According to Kilbey's Time Being site, he explored his "back catalogue of solo releases, collaborations and Church classics" during

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4242-622: The Kent Music Report. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1989 , Boomerang Café won his second award for Best Country Album. At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1989, he won 'Top Selling Album' and 'Album of the Year' for Boomerang Café . Despite the title song's lyrics, Williamson has told concert audiences that he did not actually meet his future wife, Mary-Kay, in The Boomerang Café but actually by

4343-627: The Night", "Wrinkles" and "(You've Gotta Be) Fair Dinkum", a duet with Karen Johns. In 1983 Williamson released his first solo live album, Singing in the Suburbs and another live album, The Smell of Gum Leaves , in September 1984. It featured another comic track, "I'm Fair Dinkum". Williamson then launched his merchandise business, The Fair Dinkum Road Company, in Sydney. The album included his cover version of Spectrum 's 1971 single, " I'll Be Gone ", which he played using only guitar and harmonica. At

4444-512: The Road ", issued both as a single and on Harvey's duets album Both Sides Now . Williamson then made his Carols By Candlelight debut at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl . On 26 January ( Australia Day ) 2010 Williamson released a new Australian anthem called "Island of Oceans" as a duet with Shannon Noll . Williamson released a new double-CD compilation album Absolute Greatest: 40 Years True Blue commemorating this milestone. At

4545-509: The Rock " as a duet with Warren H Williams . The following year, at the Australian Country Music Awards, the pair won 'Collaboration of the Year'. Williamson soon took part in his short-lived television series on the Seven Network called The Bush Telegraph . Following this for a moderate period, Williamson continued touring Australia and was also releasing a series of compilations. In July 1999 his fourteenth studio album, The Way It Is

4646-502: The TV announcement that Sydney had won the bid to host the 2000 Summer Olympics , Williamson wrote "Sydney 2000" and was invited to perform it on the steps of the Sydney Opera House . A year later, it was recorded for his next album, Mulga to Mangoes , which peaked at No. 14. Associated singles were "Seven Year Itch", "River Crying Out" and "Tropical Fever". At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1995, he won 'Video Track of

4747-613: The Top ;10 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart. It remained in the top 50 for a year-and-a-half, and was awarded a triple platinum certificate. It was "filled with storytelling that spanned from his own beginnings on that farm in the Victorian Mallee to every corner of the nation". At the ARIA Music Awards of 1987 , Mallee Boy was named the inaugural winner of Best Country Album. At

4848-424: The Year' for Warragul , and 'Heritage Award' for " Drover's Boy ". At the ARIA Music Awards of 1990 , Warragul earned his third Best Country Album award. In October 1990 Williamson released JW's Family Album which reached No. 21. In 1990 a new version of "Old Man Emu" appeared as a single, with a new lyric added: "He can run the pants off a dingo too". In September 1992 his next album, Waratah St ,

4949-523: The Year' for Road Thru the Heart and 'Male Vocalist of the Year' for "You and My Guitar". In July 1986, Williamson released another compilation, All the Best! which contained eighteen of his most-requested tracks both from studio and live works. As a bonus, Williamson collaborated with both of his daughters, Ami and Georgie, and with Australian folk group Bullamakanka on " Goodbye Blinky Bill " – highlighting

5050-441: The Year' for "Tropical Fever" – directed by Mark Jago. During the year he celebrated twenty-five years in the Australian music industry with a new compilation, True Blue – The Very Best of John Williamson , which reached the top 30. It included two new tracks, "Bush Town (The Lawnmower Song)" and "No-one Loves Brisbane Like Jesus". At that time, he published his book, True Blue: Stories and Songs of Australia , which contains

5151-611: The achievements of songwriters and music composers, and to recognise their songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance, by its members annually. John Williamson has won three APRA Music Awards , in the allied categories 'Most Performed Australasian Country Work' and 'Most Performed Country Work'. The ARIA Music Awards are presented annually from 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). John Williamson has won four awards from twelve nominations, including his induction into

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5252-581: The album were inspired by his home in Springbrook . Subsequent singles that followed were "Cydi", "Drink a Little Love", "Australia Is Another Word for Free" as a trio with Williams and Amos Morris , and "Better Than a Picture". "The Joy Is in the Journey" was a special bonus addition to finish the album, previously appearing on the Quambatook Musical soundtrack . The Hillbilly Road album

5353-634: The ambient, psychedelic crossover band, Mimesis, with Simon Polinski, Colin Berwick and David Abiuso. They released an album, Art Imitating Life in 2007 on the Psy-Harmonics label. The band "Speed of The Stars" is Steve Kilbey of The Church and Frank Kearns of Cactus World News. Together they started work on this project back in the late 90's and released the first album in 2016. A second album has been recorded with Barton Price and Hugo Race. Kilbey released Earthed in 1986. In 1998, Kilbey published

5454-456: The arena of his Australia Zoo Crocoseum. The service was filmed live-to-air and later released on DVD. Wildlife Warriors was additionally released in November 2006 on a compilation album of the same name, along with twelve of Williamson's favourite conservation awareness tracks and his two live performances from Irwin's memorial. At the beginning of 2008 Williamson decided to put together

5555-465: The author and started a friendship. The following November, Williamson released the new song "We Love This Country" on a compilation of the same name with his favourite holiday songs to promote Australian tourism with caravans – it became a jingle for Jayco commercials. He promoted the aforementioned projects of 2005 together with Pixie Jenkins and Warren H Williams as part of their True Blue Reunion Tour. In August 2006, The Platinum Collection ,

5656-624: The citation: "for service to Australian country music and in stimulating awareness of conservation issues". He has received twenty-six Golden Guitar trophies at the Country Music Awards of Australia , he has won three ARIA Music Awards for Best Country Album and, in 2010, was inducted into the related Hall of Fame . John Robert Williamson was born on 1 November 1945 at Kerang Bush Nursing Hospital to Keith Williamson and Shirley Ellen (née Manuel). He grew up in Quambatook , in

5757-469: The clown, Ludwig Leichhardt. Williamson penned rock and reggae numbers for the band some of which were recorded but never released. Since 1970 Williamson has had a friendship with radio presenter, John Laws , who calls Williamson his 'little brother'. In 1977, Williamson recorded and released a single, "It's a Grab It While It's Goin' Kind of Life", which is a musical tribute to Laws. Up until Laws' first retirement on 25 June 2007, Williamson wrote and performed

5858-465: The collective human subconscious." Kilbey released his debut solo single, "This Asphalt Eden" in July 1985. Kilbey's first studio albums Unearthed , Earthed the mini-album The Slow Crack were released in 1986 and 1987. Issued simultaneously with Earthed was a book of the same name containing Kilbey's prose and poetry (published in 1986). The Earthed album was conceived as a possible soundtrack to

5959-607: The comic koala character of the same name . When issued as a single, the purchase price included an A$ 1.00 donation to the Koala Preservation Society in Port Macquarie . At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1986, he won 'Album of the Year' for Road Thru the Heart and 'Male Vocalist of the Year' for "You and My Guitar". In November 1986 Williamson's Gumleaf Recordings distributed his breakthrough album, Mallee Boy , which peaked in

6060-508: The connection I receive when performing, so you'll still see me popping up at festivals and special events. Winding Back mainly means I'm looking forward to spending more time in the garden and less time away from home fiddling about with those hard to open motel soaps." JW 50 – Winding Back 1970–2020 was released on 19 June 2020 and peaked at number 50 on the ARIA Charts. In September 2023, Williamson released two singles in support of

6161-529: The decision in the statement saying, "If you can't dig it I'm sorry. This is my f—ing band after all and it has existed at times without Peter and in the beginning without Marty and for times in between while he went AWOL." Prior to the release of the Church's 21st album, Further/Deeper , Kilbey spoke to the media about his prolific body of musical work that is continually growing saying "Just because I've written that many songs [750] doesn't mean anything. But imagine if you were having an operation on your brain and

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6262-413: The drugs." Kilbey stated that he wrote most songs of his while under the influence of marijuana , as it helps him cope with his Asperger syndrome or autism. "Pot allows my mind to do the things it wants to do, which is freely associate," he said. Kilbey then participated in an interview for journalist and writer Andrew McMillen 's 2014 book Talking Smack: Honest Conversations About Drugs , as well as

6363-487: The following year he performed the track on TV talent quest, New Faces , winning first place. He later reflected on his songwriting process, and the importance of his guitar, "no matter where I go I'll have one with me, in case I come up with a song, I've got to have the guitar straight away. I always write the words and the music together". In early 1970 he signed a recording contract with Fable Records owner and New Faces ' s judge, Ron Tudor . In May "Old Man Emu"

6464-488: The following year he was inducted to the Country Music Association of Australia's Roll of Renown. Williamson's thirteenth studio album Pipe Dream was released in August 1997 and peaked at No. 6. At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 1998 he won 'Top Selling Album' for Pipe Dream . " Sir Don ", his tribute to cricketer Donald Bradman , is on the album. Williamson performed " Raining on

6565-417: The history and culture of Australia, particularly the outback, in a similar vein to Slim Dusty and Buddy Williams before him. Williamson has released over fifty albums, ten videos , five DVDs, and two lyric books and has sold more than 4,000,000 albums in Australia. His best known hit is " True Blue ". On Australia Day (26 January) in 1992 Williamson was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) with

6666-511: The hype, that if you take drugs, you're necessarily an evil villain. You might be a silly person or a weak person. But you're not a bad person." Kilbey has revealed that he and Richard Ploog often visited Sydney's Adyar Bookshop (bookshop of the Theosophical Society ) during the 1980s to read books by occultist and mystical authors such as Helena Blavatsky , George Gurdjieff and P.D. Ouspensky . Likewise, spiritual mysticism

6767-402: The inception of the working relationship in a 2013 interview: "I was working with Steve long before I actually met him. Steve had heard All India Radio, and he asked my brother John if I had any spare instrumental songs lying around that he could contribute lyrics to." Kennedy subsequently sent Kilbey "thrown-away tracks" from All India Radio recording sessions. In July 2013, Kilbey performed at

6868-459: The interests of the Australian country music industry particularly in regard to the Awards". It was launched in January 1992 with Dusty as inaugural chairman and Williamson as vice-chairman and later that year CMAA took over the organisation of the Country Music Awards of Australia – established in 1973 – from radio station, 2TM based in Tamworth. Williamson's compilation, Australia Calling – All

6969-421: The internet after about 30 years, and despite initial protests from Kilbey, he has now made four of the five tracks available on his solo compilation album of early work Addendaone (2012). Kilbey was also a member of the new wave band Tactics for approximately a month in 1977. He played "about four gigs" with Tactics before being asked to leave by the band's singer and songwriter Dave Studdert. Kilbey formed

7070-485: The last four years of secondary schooling Williamson attended Scotch College in Melbourne. In the early 1960s, while still at college, he formed a folk music group. After schooling Williamson returned home to become a farmer and, in 1965, the family moved to Croppa Creek, near Moree , where Williamson began performing at a local restaurant. In 1969 John Williamson wrote a novelty song, " Old Man Emu ", and early

7171-460: The lyrics of his songs and explanations of their composition. Williamson was surprised at the book's launch by Mike Munro as part of the TV documentary series, This is Your Life . He appeared on the series again in 2000 when Slim Dusty was the subject of an episode. At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1996, Williamson won 'Top Selling Album' for Mulga to Mangoes . He released Family Album No.2 in September 1996. In January

7272-488: The most popular songwriters in Australia ... [h]e has been a voice for the people of the bush and he has been a voice of dissent, openly criticising the woodchip industry". He is also a Protect Our Coral Sea Ambassador. In mid-2015, Williamson was nominated for the 2015 Sounds of Australia competition by veteran Australian TV presenter and journalist Steve Liebmann . These annual awards were established by Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) in 1982 to honour

7373-708: The nature of inner mystical experience: "How can you be so invisible?/Give me the eyes to see/Privilege on privilege/An unwanted discovery" [2] The thread of spiritual exploration runs through many of Kilbey's lyrics to the present day, such as on more recent songs such as "Invisible" from 2002 (first appeared on After Everything Now This ), with its refrain: "All I ever wanted to see was just invisible to me." Kilbey's lyrics often quote historical and mythological events and his interest in Eastern culture and religion frequently informs his music—this also applies to his painting (he often paints Hindu gods and goddesses). He has cited

7474-690: The opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics . Williamson performed " Sir Don " at Bradman's Memorial Service in Adelaide in 2001. The original scraps of paper he used to compose the track are displayed in the Bradman Museum , Bowral . He also represented Australia when performing at the Opening Ceremony of Winterlude in Ottawa, Ontario , Canada. In April 2002, Williamson released his fifteenth studio album, Gunyah , which in

7575-435: The other drugs you might get offered but no one ever says, 'Hey, want some heroin?' It's not like that. If you've got a stash, you don't offer it. You don't really go around turning other people on. It's not the sort of thing you advertise." Kilbey states that he "loved" heroin when he first snorted it and continued to use the drug while living in a Surry Hills , Sydney home that doubled as a recording studio. Kilbey then made

7676-482: The performance. Kilbey founded Hex and Jack Frost . In 1988, Kilbey formed the duo Hex with singer, songwriter and guitarist Donnette Thayer . Hex released two albums, the self-titled Hex in 1989 and Vast Halos 1990. In 1990, Kilbey formed Jack Frost as a collaboration with Grant McLennan of Brisbane band The Go-Betweens . Jack Frost released a debut self-titled album in December 1991, preceded by

7777-551: The reading of the book, which had come first in terms of conception. Following the worldwide success of The Church's Starfish album and " Under the Milky Way " single, Kilbey returned to his solo career in 1989 with his third album, Remindlessness in December 1989. In December 1991, Kilbey released the EP Narcosis , his last solo release for the Red Eye label. In 1992, Kilbey and his younger brother, John Kilbey launched

7878-454: The receipt of an insufficient royalty cheque from the record label. However, the Church continued as an active band and, in November 2013, Kilbey published an official announcement on his Facebook fan page stating that Willson-Piper was replaced by former Powderfinger member Ian Haug. Kilbey explained that Haug would join the band for the recording of a new album, for which he had 16 songs written, as well as subsequent touring, and also defended

7979-552: The recipient's trophy has been a Golden Guitar . John Williamson has won twenty-seven Country Music Awards of Australia, including induction into their Roll of Renown in 1997. The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards ), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Williamson won eight awards in that time. The Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA)

8080-455: The single "Every Hour God Sends". The duo released a second studio album, Snow Job in 1996, prior to McLennan's death. In 1995, Kilbey formed Fake with Boris Goudenov and Sandy Chick. Fake released a self-titled album on Mushroom records in 1994. In 2004, Kilbey formed Isidore with John Kilbey and Jeffrey Cain of Remy Zero . Isidore released a self-titled album in 2004 and a second album Life Somewhere Else in 2012. In 2007, Kilbey formed

8181-476: The song with Karin Jansson of Pink Champagne and Curious Yellow ). "Under the Milky Way" appeared in the top-selling singles charts of both Australia and the United States (US). In late 2011 Kilbey revealed that, at the time of the interview, the song was still used for television programmes and advertisements. The Church were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2012. At the ceremony, Kilbey delivered

8282-508: The start of 1985 he founded an independent record label, Gumleaf Recordings. At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January that year, he won 'Song of the Year' for "Queen in the Sport of Kings". He then issued a new compilation, Humble Beginnings , featuring tracks from his first three studio albums. He released another studio album that year, Road Thru the Heart . At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1986, he won 'Album of

8383-414: The tour. Williamson also appeared on the same episodes he had advised his daughter "to sing stuff that's going to be good for the boys". Ami explained her motivation for going "I've got, you know, a history of entertainers in my family ... [who] have performed for the military, my dad has, so I feel like I've taken the baton, which is cool". Williamson is a supporter and activist for Australia becoming

8484-558: The traditional Aboriginal language means 'home'. The opening track "Sing You the Outback" revealed how important the Australian outback has been in the past and how invaluable it will be into the future. The next two tracks, "Frangipani Bay" and "Cape York Peninsula", were written during a road trip to Australia's most northern point. The lyrics in "The Devil's Boots" relate to the bushranger, Ned Kelly . "Buried in Her Bedclothes"

8585-556: The transition to injecting the drug with the assistance of a fellow heroin user who was an unregistered doctor. He explained to McMillen that he also became fascinated with the culture surrounding the use of the drug. Upon reflection, Kilbey described it as a "rubbish world." Following unsuccessful interventions involving family and friends and a relocation to Sweden where he found heroin easier to obtain, Kilbey eventually used methadone in 2002 to wean himself off opiates. Since 2002, Kilbey has occasionally used heroin but as he explained in

8686-519: Was arrested on a drug-related charge in 1999 in New York City. Kilbey eventually ceased using the drug after a period of detoxification in 2000. In a 2012 interview, Kilbey reflected on his personal history: "I also have a lot of regret that I didn't do it better, that I wasn't a better person, that I wasn't nicer to people or make better records and that at times I would slack off and just do any old thing. I wish I hadn't made so many mistakes with

8787-707: Was asked by the Australian Made Campaign whether they could use "True Blue" for their TV and radio ads. It became a career highlight and was adopted as a theme by the Australia national cricket team . To support Mallee Boy Williamson performed his concerts in a campfire setting and since that time he commences many of his shows with its title track. At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1988, he won 'Top Selling Album' for Mallee Boy . In April 1988 Williamson issued his seventh studio album, Boomerang Café , which peaked at No. 10 on

8888-467: Was away, he was really away". Over his career Williamson has written some love songs for Mary-Kay including "Little Girl from the Dryland". On 23 April 2007, after more than 30 years of marriage, Williamson and Mary-Kay divorced. Williamson admitted that he preferred Springbrook in south-east Queensland to unwind and get inspiration for new material. Following his marriage break-up, Williamson formed

8989-494: Was born in Welwyn Garden City , England, UK, and moved to Australia with his parents at the age of five. He grew up around Dapto but the family eventually moved to Canberra . He began his professional music career at the age of 17 when he joined a Canberran five piece "cabaret band" called Saga. Around 1974 he joined a rock band featuring future Church bandmate Peter Koppes on drums called Precious Little. This

9090-589: Was elected President of the CMAA after Dusty retired. He then released the sequel to the 1995 compilation True Blue Two , which reached No. 8. It featured his hit songs up to the Gunyah album and exclusively including five new tracks. On 12 October, Williamson was asked by the Prime Minister, John Howard , to perform "Waltzing Matilda" at the Memorial Service for the first Anniversary of

9191-574: Was followed by Kilbey forming Baby Grande around 1974 whilst still living in the Australian Capital Territory Koppes was also in Baby Grande for a time but left to travel, then played in a band called Limazine which brought him in touch with future Church drummer Nick Ward. Baby Grande recorded some demos for EMI Australia in 1977 but were not signed to a permanent recording contract. Baby Grande's demos surfaced on

9292-503: Was his only hit he had to perform it two or three times per gig. Williamson's follow-up single, "Under the Bridge" backed with "The Unexplored Shadows of Mine" was issued in November with certain pressings having its A and B-sides swapped around. By February 1971 the album's third single, "Beautiful Sydney", appeared. A string of non-album singles followed including, in March 1972, "Misery Farm" with Lumpy Pumpkin. In 1973 Williamson hosted

9393-494: Was promoted everywhere around Australia until early the next year when Williams decided to move on and pursue other musical projects, leaving Williamson to perform the rest of the tour solo. At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 2009 he won 'Bush Ballad of the Year' for "Australia Is Another Word for Free", performed by Williamson, Williams and Morris. By late 2009 Williamson got together with fellow country star Adam Harvey and recorded their cover to Roger Miller's " King of

9494-468: Was recorded with country music veteran, Jimmy Little , for Corroboree that year. Other anthem tracks include "A Number on My Back" for the national rugby union team, Wallabies , and "The Baggy Green" with vocals by national cricket captain Steve Waugh . Also on the album are "Waltzing Matilda 2000" and a studio recording of " Advance Australia Fair " for the first time. He was invited to perform at

9595-548: Was released and peaked at No. 10, it went gold after eight weeks. At the end of 1999, he published his first calendar, by using photography from Steve Parish . At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 2000 John Williamson won 'Top Selling Album' for The Way It Is , 'Heritage Song of the Year' for "Campfire on the Road" and 'Bush Ballad of the Year' for "Three Sons". He released his next compilation album, Anthems – A Celebration of Australia in August 2000, which peaked at No. 16. A new single, "This Ancient Land",

9696-488: Was released as a single on Tudor's label, which peaked at No. 3 on the Go-Set National Top ;60. It was awarded a gold certification and was listed at No. 14 on Go-Set ' s Top Records for the Year of 1970. His self-titled debut album followed in mid-year and, although it featured "Old Man Emu", it had little commercial success: only selling two-thousand copies. Since "Old Man Emu"

9797-594: Was released it reached No. 14 on the ARIA Albums Chart, and had received a gold certificate on pre-sale orders. At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1992, he won 'Top Selling Album' for JW's Family Album . Late in 1991 he combined with other country musicians, Slim Dusty , Joy McKean , Phil Matthews and Max Ellis to organise the founding of the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA), which "would fight for

9898-546: Was released, which reached No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart. At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 2006 he won 'Album of the Year' and 'Top Selling Album' for Chandelier of Stars , and the track "Bells in a Bushman's Ear" won 'Bush Ballad of the Year'. In discussing John's wife of the time, the opening track, "Little Girl from the Dryland", describes Mary-Kay and her childhood in Tulloona Bore, south of Boggabilla , from her point of view. "Chandelier of Stars"

9999-461: Was the location of their second home in Quambatook . These days Williamson lives on the Gold Coast in the hinterland suburb of Springbrook where he will occasionally host live concerts at a venue he built known as Willoshed. "Call Me Blue" from the nineteenth album, Honest People , was written in reaction to the verbal abuse that Williamson received after resigning as president of

10100-637: Was then published by Hardie Grant on 1 November 2014. In addition to his other creative outlets, Kilbey is an artist who has shown at least two exhibits in the United States. A collection of his paintings have been released as a tarot deck called The Tarot of the Time Being Kilbey resides in Australia, with his partner Rachel. He has also lived in Stockholm, Sweden and Los Angeles. Kilbey has twin daughters (Elektra and Miranda) with Karin Jansson, his ex-girlfriend. Elektra and Miranda have

10201-485: Was written after Williamson and Mary-Kay, his spouse of the time, met an elderly woman on an Indian Pacific rail trip. Her husband had died six months earlier and she had refused to get out of bed for three months. Her family suggested the train trip as a remedy – she shared her memories with the Williamsons and said that the train 'had done the job'. Williamson referred to 2003 as his 'most True Blue year ever'. He

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