- John Williamson (singer)
John Robert Williamson AM (born
1 November 1945 in Quambatook, Victoria) is anAustralia ncountry music singer-songwriter .Williamson was raised in the Mallee district of northwestern Victoria. In 1965, his family moved to Croppa Creek, near
Moree, New South Wales , where John began performing at a local restaurant.Throughout his career, John Williamson has released over 32
album s, 10 videos, 5 DVDs, and 2 books of lyrics. John has received more than 23Golden Guitar Awards at theCountry Music Awards of Australia and has won 2 A.R.I.A. Awards for Best Australian Country Record. John Williamson has also featured in threetelevision series as well as "This is Your Life ". Many of John’s albums have gone Gold and Platinum and continue to do so. John Williamson has sold more than 2,000,000 albums inAustralia alone.One of John’s songs, "True Blue", has become the
anthem for theAustralia national cricket team . In 1970 John Williamson’s first song, "Old Man Emu ", went to number one and became gold. John’s song, "Mallee Boy", became triple-platinum and won him an A.R.I.A. Award.In 1988 John Williamson performed at the opening of the New Parliament House. The
Variety Club named John Williamson ‘Entertainer of the Year’ in 1989. At the A.R.I.A. Awards in 1990 John’s Album, "Warragul", was named Best Australian Country Record. In 1991 the album, "Waratah St", went gold before it even got to the shops. This album contained a song that got John kicked out of a few country RSL clubs. This song was "A Flag Of Our Own".Williamson became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1992, for his services to Australian Country Music and conservation issues [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=869731&search_type=simple&showInd=true] .
In 1995 John released the book, "True Blue", which contained the lyrics to all his songs and how they were thought of and written. John Williamson was surprised at his book launch when he became part of the television show, "
This is Your Life ".In January 1997 John Williamson was inducted to the Roll of Renown. In 1998 John won an award for the Biggest Selling Album at the Country Music Awards of Australia at Tamworth. In 1999 the album, "The Way It Is", was released and went gold after eight weeks. In 2000 John Williamson won three
Golden Guitar Awards- Bush Ballad of The Year: "Three Sons", Heritage Song of The Year: "Campfire on the Road" and Best Selling Album of The Year: "The Way It Is".John Williamson was honoured to be asked to perform his tribute song, "Sir Don", at Sir Donald Bradman's Memorial Service in
Adelaide in 2001. The original scraps of paper this song was scribbled on have been framed and now hang in the Bradman Museum,Bowral, New South Wales . John also represented Australia when he sang at the Opening Ceremony ofWinterlude inOttawa, Canada .In 2003 John Williamson was elected President of the
Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) after the retiring ofSlim Dusty . John was asked byJohn Howard to performWaltzing Matilda at the Memorial Service for the 1st Anniversary of the2002 Bali bombing on12 October 2003 . In 2004 John won 2 Golden Guitar Awards for Vocal Collaboration of The Year and Single of The Year for his duet withSara Storer , "Raining on the Plains".As of 2005 , John Williamson is working on a new album, "Chandelier of Stars" withPixie Jenkins andWarren H. Williams .In 2006 Williamson performed "True Blue" in the pre-match entertainment of the
ANZAC Day AFL game between Essendon and Collingwood at theMelbourne Cricket Ground . He also performed this song and "Home Among The Gum Trees" atSteve Irwin 's memorial service.During any International
Rugby Union match played inAustralia (usuallySydney ), John is usually known to lead the crowd in attendance to sing the unofficialAustralian National Anthem "Waltzing Matilda ".On
23 April 2007 , it was reported that Williamson's 35-year marriage to his wife Mary Kay, is over. [Bob Rogers Show, Radio2CH , 11:35AEST 23 April 2007.]John Williamson's new album, "Hillbilly Road", was released in mid-August 2008.
References
External links
* [http://www.johnwilliamson.com.au/ Official John Williamson web site]
* [http://homepage.mac.com/alicespringsfilmtv/iMovieTheater1.html John Williamson music video sample]
* [http://www.howlspace.com.au/en2/williamsonjohn/williamsonjohn.htm John Williamson on Howlspace.com]
* [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:norp282u054a AMG Entry for John Williamson]
* [http://www.johnwilliamson.com.au/mediaroom/john_williamson_posterimage.jpg]
* [http://www.theroar.com.au/2007/07/03/john-williamson-talks-to-the-roar/ Audio interview with Williamson on Australian rugby]
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