THERE may not be a national Slim Dusty Day this week as some country music fans had hoped, but as often is the case, if there is an occasion, North Queensland will have a link to it somehow.
The hubbub over the national day has drawn out of the woodwork Mackay born musician Kedron Taylor, who was once loudly proclaimed to be the next in line to wear the ‘King of Country Music’ mantra given to the legendary Slim Dusty.
Taylor who completed his schooling in Mackay spent some years in Charters Towers where he worked as a Bricklayer, Meat Worker, and Drillers Offsider prior to an unlikely meeting which would change the course of his life.
Slim discovered Kedron, an 18 year old - passionate Australian, while the producers were travelling through North Queensland writing the script for his self-titled movie. The Slim Dusty Movie became a reality in 1984 and the shy Kedron was thrust onto the big screen, cast as a young ‘Buck’ Taylor, a character who Slim felt represented his own climb up the music ladder. Touring with the Slim Dusty Show, and recording an album for Slim’s own ‘Nulla Records’ label followed his movie debut and Kedron (Buck) received two Golden Guitar Award nominations for his efforts.
After parting company with the Slim Dusty show, Kedron continued to write and sing iconic Australian music, achieving a further three Golden Guitar nominations and an ARIA nomination for best country album in 1999. He also gained Top 10 country radio positioning for his song ‘The Old Holden Waltz’.
After many years away, Ked came back to live in his native Queensland in 2005 and settled on the Sunshine Coast to spend more time with his family. He is currently working on a new recording project to be done exclusively in Queensland.
When asked his opinion on the inception of a national Slim Dusty Day, Ked said “Anything that celebrates Australia and encourages pride and excellence in our nation, is a good idea. Slim Dusty certainly embodied that, and if celebrating him impacts others, then let’s go for it!”