Australia has had a huge impact on Western contemporary music, especially given the relative size of its population to other English-speaking nations.
In this article, we're looking solely at the top Australian country music singers.
We'll be looking at the singers who've had a huge impact on the Australian music scene both domestically and internationally.
We've tried to include a good combination of singers with differing voices and musical styles so that you can find someone you like. To avoid playing favourites, we've also put them in alphabetical order, though you can always order them if you like. Read on to find out about the top 10 Australian country singers.
| Singer | Top Song |
|---|---|
| Chad Morgan | The Sheik of Scrubby Creek |
| Clare Bowen | Fade Into You |
| Donn Reynolds | The Yodeling Cowboy |
| John Williamson | True Blue |
| Joy McKean | The Biggest Disappointment |
| Keith Urban | Somebody Like You |
| Olivia Newton-John | I Honestly Love You |
| Slim Dusty | A Pub With No Beer |
| Smoky Dawson | A Cowboy's Life |
| Tex Morton | The Goondiwindi Grey |
Chad Morgan
The "Sheik of Scrubby Creek" is one of the most iconic Aussie country singers, party because of his distinctive musical stylings and partly because of his signature teeth. He says that while his teeth caused him to receive a lot of teasing as a child, he was ultimately happy that he didn’t end up getting them removed because they added an authentic flair to his brand.
He is most famous for being the “clown prince of comedy” in the country music world, singing interesting and endearing songs with witty humour woven in. Throughout his seven-decade career, he has written and recorded about two dozen albums, the most recent “Quarantined” having been released in 2021.
Two of Chad Morgan’s most famous songs are "The Sheik of Scrubby Creek" and "The Shotgun Wedding." "The Sheik of Scrubby Creek" is a humorous tune that showcases Morgan's ability to poke fun at rural life and his own persona.
He has been awarded with an induction into the Australian Roll of Renown - Australian Country Music Hall of Fame as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 with the CMAA, in addition to many others.
Clare Bowen
Although she may be best known for her role as Scarlett O'Connor on the popular American TV show Nashville in 2012, she had actually been training in operetta since age 4. She also appeared in a few Australian television dramas as an actress, such as The Cut, Gangs of Oz, Chandon Pictures and Home and Away.
Now Clare Bowen is one of the most popular country singers in Australia. Her unique, delicate singing voice and emotional delivery make her a stand-out sound in today’s country music scene.
She has recorded many solo tracks but recently teamed up with her husband to create the duet Bowen * Young. Some of her most popular tracks include "Fade Into You" and "If I Didn't Know Better."
While she hasn’t really won formal recognition for her musical talents yet, she has won awards for her acting. She is a hot commodity in both the US and Australia for performances and acting, so she should surely be gaining more recognition and awards in the coming years.
Donn Reynolds
How can a Canadian be one of the most influential Australian country singers? Well, although Reynolds was born in Canada and spent most of his life outside of Australia, while he was stationed in Oz his musical contributions helped enrich the music scene of his host country.
At just 10 years old, Reynolds taught himself guitar. Inspired by Harry Hopkinson, a famous 1930s British yodeler, Reynolds decided to build his musical brand as “The Yodeling Ranger,” combining Bavarian yodelling with country.
After his military tour, he moved to Australia and New Zealand for just two years. In that time, he rapidly achieved fame as “Canada’s Yodeling Cowboy.” He appeared on national radio shows like Cavalcade with Jack Davey, National Fair, Malvern Star Show, and RAAF Digger Sessions and even voiced the iconic "Peter's Singing Cowboy".
He also achieved international fame for his incredible yodelling skills. His most notable songs are "Texas Yodel" and "Afraid."
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John Williamson
John Williamson is known for his deep connection to Australian culture and landscapes. With a career spanning over five decades, Williamson has become a national treasure for highlighting the essence of rural Australia.
A legend among Australian country music artists, his music resonates with many Australians, from city dwellers to those living in remote areas, due to its authenticity and patriotic themes.
"True Blue" is a widely recognised anthem that reflects the Australian spirit, asking what it truly means to be Australian. It's typically regarded as one of the best songs representing Australia. "Rip Rip Woodchip," on the other hand, showcases Williamson's environmental activism, addressing the issue of deforestation in Australia.
His contributions to country music have earned him numerous accolades and a place in Australia's musical history. He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010 and holds plenty of other music awards earned throughout the years.
Joy McKean
Known as the “grand lady” of Australian country music, Joy was also the wife of fellow country singer Slim Dusty. Their daughter, Anne Kirkpatrick, followed in her parents’ footsteps and is also a country music artist.
McKean is another great example of a musician who could capture the spirit of the Australian outback and rural life. She rarely recorded solo tracks, instead being partners with Slim or with her sister Heather as The McKean Sisters.
McKean is best known for writing some of Slim Dusty's biggest hits, including "Lights on the Hill" and "Walk a Country Mile."
Her most popular recordings with Heather include "Gymkhana Yodel" and "Yodel Down The Valley.”
Over her career, she earned many awards including an APRA, Australian Role of Renown induction, an Australian Women in Music award, several Country Music Awards, and a few Tamworth Songwriters Awards.
Keith Urban
Keith Urban was born in New Zealand, raised in Australia, and a hugely successful country music star. He's famous for songs like “Somebody Like You”, “One Too Many”, and “Blue Ain't Your Color”. His music is popular both in Australia and with country music fans internationally. He currently holds four Grammy Awards for his music, earning the first in 2006.
He is probably the leading example of world-famous Australian country singers; many people outside of Australia and New Zealand don’t even realise he isn't from the United States! After all, he exudes a Nashville vibe and perfectly fits the role of an All-American country star.
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John was born in the UK before moving to Australia as a child. She had a successful career as a country music artist way before Keith Urban, winning two Grammys in country music in 1976.
For many, she was most famous for her role as Sandy in the movie adaptation of Grease, where she starred alongside John Travolta. But her musical career is impressive on its own.
Her country hits include her cover of “Take Me Home Country Roads,” “I Honestly Love You,” and “Please Mr. Please.” Her hit song "Let Me Be There" earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1974, establishing her as a force in the country music world.
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Slim Dusty
Slim Dusty, born David Gordon Kirkpatrick, is one of Australia's most iconic country music singers.
Known for his deep connection to the Australian outback and rural life, Slim Dusty became a household name with his authentic storytelling and unmistakable voice.
His music captured the spirit of Australia's vast landscapes and hardworking people, earning him widespread fame across the country.
One of his most famous songs, "A Pub With No Beer", became Australia's first gold record and remains a beloved anthem in Australian country music. Another hit, "The Lights on the Hill", showcases his effective storytelling, reflecting on the hardships of truck drivers in the Australian outback. Over his remarkable 50-year career, he released more than 100 albums, cementing his legacy as a pioneer of country music, both at home and abroad.
He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1988 and won a handful of other music awards throughout his career.
Smoky Dawson
Probably the most “American West” of all the Australian country singers, Dawson was often likened to the “Singing Cowboy” figures of the genre. Over his six-decade career, he earned a great reputation as a musical artist and storyteller, performing engaging live and radio shows.
Because of his cowboy persona, he was also very popular in the U.S. Songs like “A Cowboy’s Life” only made him an even more popular artist in the States, who also romanticised life in the old West. “Homestead of My Dreams” was another track that captured the country spirit, waxing about the admirable Australian landscape.
Over his musical career, he won several notable awards including an Australian Role of Renown, induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame, a few Golden Guitars, Mo Awards, and Tamworth Awards.
Tex Morton
Known for his yodelling and distinctive voice, Morton helped shape the early country music scene in Australia during the 1930s and 1940s. Morton’s songs often reflected the struggles and experiences of the working class, resonating with rural Australians and earning him widespread popularity. His performances, blending music with humour and storytelling, captivated audiences both in Australia and abroad, particularly in New Zealand, where he also found considerable success.
"The Goondiwindi Grey" and “Sergeant Small” are two of his most notable hits, touching on local themes pertinent to the goings-on of Australia at the time. His influence on country music leaves a lasting legacy in the genre that continues to inspire artists worldwide.
Among other awards and recognition, he was inducted into the Country Music Awards (Golden Guitar Awards) of Australia Hands of Fame in 1977.
Honorable Mentions
Of course, there are many other famous country singers from Australia, both from years past and contemporary. New country singers are entering the scene all the time!
Here are some other great country singers you might want to know about if you’re a country music fan!
- Adam Brand
- Adam Harvey
- Amber Lawrence
- Andrew Swift
- Brad Cox
- Casey Barnes
- Catherine Britt
- James Blundell
- Lee Kernaghan
- Morgan Evans
- Sherrié Austin
- The McClymonts
- The Wolfe Brothers
- Travis Collins
- Troy Cassar-Daley
- Wade Forster
Australia has a thriving country music scene. Just like country music in the US, typically inspired by rural life, rugged terrain, and a healthy respect for nature, Australia is the perfect place for country music to grow. Who are your favourite country music artists?
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Tom Maxwell, Country and Western Singer not well. Has he started his performances yet.