Slim Dusty AO MBE (1927-2003) (David Gordon Kirkpatrick) is Australia's most prolific recording artist, and his travelling show has become an Australian tradition. He wrote his first song, 'The Way the Cowboy Dies', when he was ten years old, and styled himself 'Slim Dusty' at eleven. His song 'The Pub With no Beer' (1957) was the first international hit by an Australian recording artist, and was awarded Australia's first gold record. It remains the only 78rpm gold record in Australia. Now, Dusty holds more gold and platinum records than any other Australian artist, and has won 32 Tamworth Country Music Festival Golden Guitars. In 1999 he was named Father of the Year and inaugural Senior Australian of the Year. His 100th album was released in July 2000.
