"He taught us peace... and any man who can say
they taught another man peace has really achieved something in life." ~ John Laws CBE OBE, 2008 ~
they taught another man peace has really achieved something in life." ~ John Laws CBE OBE, 2008 ~
Smoky Dawson - the man himself
by Max Ellis (2008)
by Max Ellis (2008)
Herbert Henry Dawson was born in Melbourne on 19th March 1913. Growing up in difficult family circumstances he spent time in an orphanage and later as a teenager, in Northern Victoria’s Kelly country where he absorbed the ways of the bush even meeting Ned’s brother, Jim. It was here that a youthful and disastrous experiment with an old pipe gave rise to the nickname that became his famous trademark. As a young man Smoky tried many things before music, farm work, rough riding, a tannery and even cycle racing. Along the way he developed the strength of character that can rise above adversity, particularly when that character is coupled with another of similar strength and purpose.
Smoky’s life changed in 1933 when he met radio producer, actress and elocutionist Florence Cheers, better known as Dottie. Their friendship grew and after a long engagement they were married in 1944, two brilliant people working as one, supporting and complimenting each other, personally and professionally, together creating the legend that is “Smoky Dawson”.
By 1932, Smoky was playing steel in the Coral Island Boys with his brother Ted. He discovered hillbilly music and by 1937 Smoky Dawson’s Pepsident Rangers Show was a hit on 3KZ followed by the South Sea Islanders Show. By the early forties Smoky was writing songs, developing his cowboy image and was appearing all over Melbourne and Sydney.
Smoky’s first recording, I’m a Happy Go Lucky Cowhand, was made in 1941 at Homebush, with legendary producer Arch Kerr. It became the foundation of an immense repertoire of superb original songs recorded over some seven decades. Among the lyrics are two prescient lines. He sings of “riding until all the world knows my brand”. And these poignant lyrics. “I’ve left sorrows and worries behind, for a trail where dreams come true”.
After a hard war in the Medical Corps and the Entertainment Unit, Smoky picked up where he left off and success swept him into an incredible life of stardom, recording and touring, sometimes with partner Stan Gill’s Rodeo. Smoky, became a yodeling, whip cracking, knife throwing, film acting, song writing, singing, radio & TV, super star.
It’s hard to single out the milestones that are so frequent along the Dawson highway. In 1952 on a trip to the USA, Smoky became the first artist on Hickory Records in Nashville, a label owned by friends Roy Acuff and Wesley Rose. They urged him to stay but Smoky had a new project. By 1953, his Kellogg’s radio show had become the biggest networked radio program in Australia. For 10 years, millions of young Australians avidly followed The Adventures of Smoky Dawson on radio and later TV. Jindawarrabel, Jingles and Flash became a part of Australian folklore.
Then there was Smoky’s Ranch bought at Ingleside in 1957, the re-launch of his performing career in Tamworth in 1970, The Country Music Roll of Renown in 1978, two Golden Guitars; one for The days of Old Khancoban in 1988 and another for High Country 1989. Smoky was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1999, was inducted into the ARIA Icons Hall of Fame in 2005, the Tamworth Galaxy of Stars in 2006 and was presented with the Variety Heart of Gold, also in 2006.
All the time Smoky continued to compose and record the music he loved. His last recording, Homestead Of My Dreams, was made in 2005 when he was 92 years young.
There were many facets to Smoky’s life. An active member and high office holder of the Masonic Lodge and Rotary, he was a patron of The Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice Foundation and The Australian Stockmans’ Hall of Fame. He was actively involved in public broadcasting and was the first Life Member of the Country Music Association of Australia and the Founding Patron of the Australian Country Music Foundation.
Countless people, including many young artists, can attest to Smoky and Dot’s kindness while their circle of genuine and loving friends encompass people from the most exulted in the land to the most humble.
Smoky Dawson was a good man admired for his humility and his infectious good nature. He reveled in the spot light, sharing his achievements with enthusiasm and joy, spreading laughter and happiness where ever he was. He was always optimistic and all who knew him were influenced and uplifted by his generous and effervescent spirit.
Smoky passed away on the 13th February 2008. He was an inspiration to us all.
by Max Ellis
19th March 2008
Smoky’s life changed in 1933 when he met radio producer, actress and elocutionist Florence Cheers, better known as Dottie. Their friendship grew and after a long engagement they were married in 1944, two brilliant people working as one, supporting and complimenting each other, personally and professionally, together creating the legend that is “Smoky Dawson”.
By 1932, Smoky was playing steel in the Coral Island Boys with his brother Ted. He discovered hillbilly music and by 1937 Smoky Dawson’s Pepsident Rangers Show was a hit on 3KZ followed by the South Sea Islanders Show. By the early forties Smoky was writing songs, developing his cowboy image and was appearing all over Melbourne and Sydney.
Smoky’s first recording, I’m a Happy Go Lucky Cowhand, was made in 1941 at Homebush, with legendary producer Arch Kerr. It became the foundation of an immense repertoire of superb original songs recorded over some seven decades. Among the lyrics are two prescient lines. He sings of “riding until all the world knows my brand”. And these poignant lyrics. “I’ve left sorrows and worries behind, for a trail where dreams come true”.
After a hard war in the Medical Corps and the Entertainment Unit, Smoky picked up where he left off and success swept him into an incredible life of stardom, recording and touring, sometimes with partner Stan Gill’s Rodeo. Smoky, became a yodeling, whip cracking, knife throwing, film acting, song writing, singing, radio & TV, super star.
It’s hard to single out the milestones that are so frequent along the Dawson highway. In 1952 on a trip to the USA, Smoky became the first artist on Hickory Records in Nashville, a label owned by friends Roy Acuff and Wesley Rose. They urged him to stay but Smoky had a new project. By 1953, his Kellogg’s radio show had become the biggest networked radio program in Australia. For 10 years, millions of young Australians avidly followed The Adventures of Smoky Dawson on radio and later TV. Jindawarrabel, Jingles and Flash became a part of Australian folklore.
Then there was Smoky’s Ranch bought at Ingleside in 1957, the re-launch of his performing career in Tamworth in 1970, The Country Music Roll of Renown in 1978, two Golden Guitars; one for The days of Old Khancoban in 1988 and another for High Country 1989. Smoky was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1999, was inducted into the ARIA Icons Hall of Fame in 2005, the Tamworth Galaxy of Stars in 2006 and was presented with the Variety Heart of Gold, also in 2006.
All the time Smoky continued to compose and record the music he loved. His last recording, Homestead Of My Dreams, was made in 2005 when he was 92 years young.
There were many facets to Smoky’s life. An active member and high office holder of the Masonic Lodge and Rotary, he was a patron of The Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice Foundation and The Australian Stockmans’ Hall of Fame. He was actively involved in public broadcasting and was the first Life Member of the Country Music Association of Australia and the Founding Patron of the Australian Country Music Foundation.
Countless people, including many young artists, can attest to Smoky and Dot’s kindness while their circle of genuine and loving friends encompass people from the most exulted in the land to the most humble.
Smoky Dawson was a good man admired for his humility and his infectious good nature. He reveled in the spot light, sharing his achievements with enthusiasm and joy, spreading laughter and happiness where ever he was. He was always optimistic and all who knew him were influenced and uplifted by his generous and effervescent spirit.
Smoky passed away on the 13th February 2008. He was an inspiration to us all.
by Max Ellis
19th March 2008
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Click here to stroll down memory lane with a selection of clips featuring Smoky during his long and legendary career
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Click here to read about the Smoky Dawson Foundation.
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