John Williamson - Singer-songwriter, Life Achievements and Family
Home › Australian › John WilliamsonNovember 1, 1945486 viewsJohn Williamson's Personal Details
John Williamson is a famous singer from Australia, known for albums like ‘Mallee Boy’, ‘Warragul’, and ‘Boomerang Café’
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | November 1, 1945 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Famous | School Dropouts, Juilliard School, Singers, Country Singers, Reggae Singers, Rock Singers, Singer-songwriter |
| Spouses | Meg Doyle (m. 2013), Mary-Kay (m. 1973–2007) |
| Known as | Williamson, John, John Robert Williamson |
| Universities |
|
| Humanitarian Works |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Kerang |
| Height | 183 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Keith Williamson |
| Mother | Shirley Ellen |
| Net Worth | $141.7 Million as of Jan 1 2017 |
| Sun Sign | Scorpio |
| Born in | Kerang |
| Famous as | Singer-songwriter |
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John Williamson's photo
Who is John Williamson?
John Williamson is a famous Australian country musician, known mostly for his album ‘Mallee Boy’, which was his nickname since he grew up in a town having the same name. Having been trained to play the ukulele, guitar and harmonica, this talented musician started out by forming a small band in his college. Later, he began writing his own songs and composing music for them, performing them at local pubs. One of the songs, ‘Old Man Emu’, was popular in particular, and caught the attention of ‘Fable Records’ proprietor, Ron Tudor. Though the song was a hit, his initial albums did not take off, and it took the aspiring artist a long time to gain recognition. He formed another group called ‘Crow’, the name of which was later changed to ‘Sydney Radio’. After the band fell apart, Williamson began to play alone, once again at clubs. This time, however, his fan following started building up, and his popularity had increased. He went on from there to produce award-winning albums like ‘Warragul’, ‘Boomerang Café’, and 'Anthems – A Celebration of Australia', amongst many more. He also has a music production company, 'Gumleaf Recordings', and an enterprise dealing in merchandise, called ‘The Fair Dinkum Road Co'. Over the years, this splendid musician has won numerous admirers, not just in his native of Australia, but all across the globe
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Childhood & Early Life
John Robert Williamson was born to Keith and Shirley, at Australia's Kerang Bush Nursing Hospital, on November 1, 1945. Though he was born in Kerang, the child was raised in the town of Quambatook, in northern Victoria. Both Keith and Shirley, who had five sons, were farmers and occasional singers.
When he was as young as seven years of age, John was taught the string instrument ukulele, by his father, Keith. Soon, in a matter of five years, the young boy had learnt the nuances of playing the guitar and harmonica.
The musically-inclined child formed his own music group, while he was studying at Melbourne's 'Scotch College'. However, he returned home after college to help his father at his farm. In 1965, he began singing at a restaurant when the family shifted to a place called Croppa Creek.
Career
By 1969, the singer began pursuing a full-fledged career in music, penning his first song 'Old Man Emu'. He performed the song on a talent show the next year, and bagged the first place.
He went ahead and released the song 'Old Man Emu' in 1970 under the banner of 'Fable Records', owned by Ron Tudor. The song was an instantaneous hit and featured on Australian newspaper, 'Go-Set', as one of the top songs of the year.
Soon, he released his debut album titled 'John Williamson', which did not see much success despite featuring the hit number 'Old Man Emu'. The album also contained other singles like 'Beautiful Sydney', and 'Under the Bridge'.
In 1973, a music show on television was presented by Williamson, and it also featured artistes like Emma Hannah, and Ricky & Tammy. In the next few years, he released albums like ‘The Comic Strip Cowboy’, ‘Road to Town’, and a compilation entitled ‘Country Greats’, which too did not fare well on the charts.
The singer then went on to start a band called 'Crow', in 1978, which performed regularly at pubs all over the country. The band began playing a fusion of rock and reggae, and came to be known as 'Sydney Radio'.
The band soon separated, and from 1981, John began performing by himself at pubs. Meanwhile, he continued to record albums, and his song titled, 'Diggers of the ANZAC (This Is Gallipoli)' dedicated to 'The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' became extremely popular.
During the same time, he went on musical tours with famous fiddler, Pixie Jenkins. He also released a song, 'The Breaker', which featured narration by actor Charles Tingwell. The song instantly saw success, and Williamson's string of musical failures came to a halt.
The following year, in 1983 the talented singer released popular albums like 'Singing in the Suburbs', and 'The Smell of Gum Leaves'. The song 'I'm Fair Dinkum', from the latter, received considerably more success, and he established 'The Fair Dinkum Road Company', which deals in merchandise.
In 1985, he launched his own music company, 'Gumleaf Recordings', which released several hit albums like 'Humble Beginnings', 'Road thru the Heart', and 'All the Best, Vol. 1'.
However, the popular singer's 'Mallee Boy', released in 1986, was the album that brought him new-found recognition. The album was followed by ‘Boomerang Café’, and ‘Warragul’, both of which were quite well-received.
From 1990-98, the celebrated folk singer released several albums, including 'Waratah St', J'.W.'s Family Album', 'Australia Calling – All the Best Vol. 2', 'Love Is a Good Woman', and 'Pipe Dream', amongst others. These albums increased his popularity, not just in Australia, but also nations like the UK, US, and New Zealand.
Towards the close of 1991, Williamson collaborated with other country singers to establish the 'Country Music Association of Australia', which aimed at bringing home more awards for the nation's folk musicians.
During the same time, he also brought out the book, 'True Blue: Stories and Songs of Australia', comprising the lyrics of songs in an album of the same name, along with their connotations.
In 1998, John appeared in 'The Bush Telegraph', a television show aired for a brief period of time, on Australian network, 'Channel Seven'.
In 2000, Williamson produced the album, 'Anthems – A Celebration of Australia', which is still remembered for the tribute the songs pay to the nation.
The album contains collaborations like 'This Ancient Land', with aborigine singer Jimmy Little, and 'The Baggy Green', with cricketer Steve Waugh. It also contains a tribute, titled, 'A Number on My Back', meant for the country's rugby team, 'Wallabies'.
During the next few years he released commercially successfully albums like 'Gunya', 'Chandelier of Stars', and 'Hillbilly Road'.
In 2008, John produced a musical, under the banner of his own company, 'Fair Dinkum Road Co.'. The production, called 'Quambatook – The Musical', used his own compositions, and was directed by Australian filmmaker, Bernie Zelvis.
In recent times, the renowned music artiste has issued albums like 'The Absolute Best of John Williamson: 40 Years True Blue', 'The Big Red', 'Honest People'. He also released his autobiography, published by 'Penguin Books' on July 25, 2014.
Major Works
Though this Australian singer has produced some of the best songs in the history of country music, it is his album ‘Mallee Boy’, released in 1986, that brought him fame. At the first ceremony of ‘ARIA Music Awards’, held the following year, this collection was named the 'Best Country Album'
Awards & Achievements
From 1988-95, the annual 'Australasian Performing Right Association' ('APRA') awards were presented to Williamson, on three occasions, for his songs, 'True Blue', 'Rip Rip Woodchip', and 'Tropical Fever'.
During the same time, he has also been the recipient of the 'Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Music Awards' on several instances, for the albums, 'Mallee Boy', 'Boomerang Cafe', and 'Warragul'.
In 1992, the Government of his homeland made him a 'Member of the Order Of Australia', for his invaluable contribution to the nation's musical heritage.
After several other nominations at the 'ARIA Music Awards', the legendary singer was included in the association's 'Hall of Fame'.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1973, the singer got married to Mary-Kay, whom he met in the Leichhardt suburb of New South Wales. The singer dedicated several love songs to his wife, and the couple were married for thirty-four years, before they decided to separate. Mary-Kay and Williamson have two daughters, Georgie and Ami.
In 2013, the musician married his girlfriend Meg Doyle, with whom he usually lives in Sydney.
Recently this singer has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but the talented musician shows no signs of slowing down.
Trivia
In 2001, this Australian singer paid his tribute to cricket legend Bradman, by performing a song titled, 'Sir Don'. The sheets of paper that contain the lyrics and music are preserved at the 'Bradman Museum', in the town of Bowral, New South Wales.
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John Williamson's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | 'Top Selling Album' and 'Album of the Year' for Warragul | |
| 0 | and 'Heritage Award' for | |
John Williamson biography timelines
- // 1st Nov 1945John Robert Williamson was born to Keith and Shirley, at Australia's Kerang Bush Nursing Hospital, on November 1, 1945. Though he was born in Kerang, the child was raised in the town of Quambatook, in northern Victoria. Both Keith and Shirley, who had five sons, were farmers and occasional singers.
- // 1965The musically-inclined child formed his own music group, while he was studying at Melbourne's 'Scotch College'. However, he returned home after college to help his father at his farm. In 1965, he began singing at a restaurant when the family shifted to a place called Croppa Creek.
- // 1969By 1969, the singer began pursuing a full-fledged career in music, penning his first song 'Old Man Emu'. He performed the song on a talent show the next year, and bagged the first place.
- // 1970He went ahead and released the song 'Old Man Emu' in 1970 under the banner of 'Fable Records', owned by Ron Tudor. The song was an instantaneous hit and featured on Australian newspaper, 'Go-Set', as one of the top songs of the year.
- // 1973In 1973, a music show on television was presented by Williamson, and it also featured artistes like Emma Hannah, and Ricky & Tammy. In the next few years, he released albums like ‘The Comic Strip Cowboy’, ‘Road to Town’, and a compilation entitled ‘Country Greats’, which too did not fare well on the charts.
- // 1973In 1973, the singer got married to Mary-Kay, whom he met in the Leichhardt suburb of New South Wales. The singer dedicated several love songs to his wife, and the couple were married for thirty-four years, before they decided to separate. Mary-Kay and Williamson have two daughters, Georgie and Ami.
- // 1978The singer then went on to start a band called 'Crow', in 1978, which performed regularly at pubs all over the country. The band began playing a fusion of rock and reggae, and came to be known as 'Sydney Radio'.
- // 1981The band soon separated, and from 1981, John began performing by himself at pubs. Meanwhile, he continued to record albums, and his song titled, 'Diggers of the ANZAC (This Is Gallipoli)' dedicated to 'The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' became extremely popular.
- // 1983The following year, in 1983 the talented singer released popular albums like 'Singing in the Suburbs', and 'The Smell of Gum Leaves'. The song 'I'm Fair Dinkum', from the latter, received considerably more success, and he established 'The Fair Dinkum Road Company', which deals in merchandise.
- // 1985In 1985, he launched his own music company, 'Gumleaf Recordings', which released several hit albums like 'Humble Beginnings', 'Road thru the Heart', and 'All the Best, Vol. 1'.
- // 1986However, the popular singer's 'Mallee Boy', released in 1986, was the album that brought him new-found recognition. The album was followed by ‘Boomerang Café’, and ‘Warragul’, both of which were quite well-received.
- // 1986Though this Australian singer has produced some of the best songs in the history of country music, it is his album ‘Mallee Boy’, released in 1986, that brought him fame. At the first ceremony of ‘ARIA Music Awards’, held the following year, this collection was named the 'Best Country Album'
- // 1988 To 1995From 1988-95, the annual 'Australasian Performing Right Association' ('APRA') awards were presented to Williamson, on three occasions, for his songs, 'True Blue', 'Rip Rip Woodchip', and 'Tropical Fever'.
- // 1990 To 1998From 1990-98, the celebrated folk singer released several albums, including 'Waratah St', J'.W.'s Family Album', 'Australia Calling – All the Best Vol. 2', 'Love Is a Good Woman', and 'Pipe Dream', amongst others. These albums increased his popularity, not just in Australia, but also nations like the UK, US, and New Zealand.
- // 1991Towards the close of 1991, Williamson collaborated with other country singers to establish the 'Country Music Association of Australia', which aimed at bringing home more awards for the nation's folk musicians.
- // 1992In 1992, the Government of his homeland made him a 'Member of the Order Of Australia', for his invaluable contribution to the nation's musical heritage.
- // 1998In 1998, John appeared in 'The Bush Telegraph', a television show aired for a brief period of time, on Australian network, 'Channel Seven'.
- // 2000In 2000, Williamson produced the album, 'Anthems – A Celebration of Australia', which is still remembered for the tribute the songs pay to the nation.
- // 2001In 2001, this Australian singer paid his tribute to cricket legend Bradman, by performing a song titled, 'Sir Don'. The sheets of paper that contain the lyrics and music are preserved at the 'Bradman Museum', in the town of Bowral, New South Wales.
- // 2008In 2008, John produced a musical, under the banner of his own company, 'Fair Dinkum Road Co.'. The production, called 'Quambatook – The Musical', used his own compositions, and was directed by Australian filmmaker, Bernie Zelvis.
- // 2013In 2013, the musician married his girlfriend Meg Doyle, with whom he usually lives in Sydney.
- // 25th Jul 2014In recent times, the renowned music artiste has issued albums like 'The Absolute Best of John Williamson: 40 Years True Blue', 'The Big Red', 'Honest People'. He also released his autobiography, published by 'Penguin Books' on July 25, 2014.
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John Williamson's FAQ
What is John Williamson birthday?
John Williamson was born at 1945-11-01
Where is John Williamson's birth place?
John Williamson was born in Kerang
What is John Williamson nationalities?
John Williamson's nationalities is Australian
Who is John Williamson spouses?
John Williamson's spouses is Meg Doyle (m. 2013), Mary-Kay (m. 1973–2007)
What was John Williamson universities?
John Williamson studied at Juilliard School, Scotch College, Melbourne
What was John Williamson notable alumnis?
John Williamson's notable alumnis is Juilliard School
How tall is John Williamson?
John Williamson's height is 183
Who is John Williamson's father?
John Williamson's father is Keith Williamson
Who is John Williamson's mother?
John Williamson's mother is Shirley Ellen
What is John Williamson's sun sign?
John Williamson is Scorpio
How famous is John Williamson?
John Williamson is famouse as Singer-songwriter