John Williamson (singer)
John Williamson | |
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Website | johnwilliamson |
John Robert Williamson
Early life
John Robert Williamson was born on 1 November 1945 at
Williamson is the oldest of five sons whose names in order are William, Robin, Peter and Jeff.Origins and beginnings
Williamson's performance style originates from his 'farmland, not city bitumen' lifestyle, and his upbringing is referred to by the nickname, 'The Mallee Boy'.
Career
1970s
In 1969 John Williamson wrote a novelty song, "
In 1973 Williamson hosted a country music TV series, Travlin' Out West, which ran for two years, broadcast by
1980s
In early 1981 John Williamson's rock group, Sydney Radio, disbanded and he began playing solo in pubs, which attracted more new fans. He recorded a tribute song for
In 1983 Williamson released his first solo live album, Singing in the Suburbs and another live album, The Smell of Gum Leaves, in September 1984. It featured another comic track, "I'm Fair Dinkum". Williamson then launched his merchandise business, The Fair Dinkum Road Company, in Sydney. The album included his cover version of Spectrum's 1971 single, "I'll Be Gone", which he played using only guitar and harmonica. At the start of 1985 he founded an independent record label, Gumleaf Recordings. At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January that year, he won 'Song of the Year' for "Queen in the Sport of Kings".[15] He then issued a new compilation, Humble Beginnings, featuring tracks from his first three studio albums. He released another studio album that year, Road Thru the Heart. At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1986, he won 'Album of the Year' for Road Thru the Heart and 'Male Vocalist of the Year' for "You and My Guitar".[16] In July 1986, Williamson released another compilation, All the Best! which contained eighteen of his most-requested tracks both from studio and live works. As a bonus, Williamson collaborated with both of his daughters, Ami and Georgie, and with Australian folk group Bullamakanka on "Goodbye Blinky Bill" – highlighting the comic koala character of the same name. When issued as a single, the purchase price included an A$1.00 donation to the Koala Preservation Society in Port Macquarie. At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1986, he won 'Album of the Year' for Road Thru the Heart and 'Male Vocalist of the Year' for "You and My Guitar".[16]
In November 1986 Williamson's Gumleaf Recordings distributed his breakthrough album,
In April 1988 Williamson issued his seventh studio album,
1990s
At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 1990, John Williamson won 'Top Selling Album' and 'Album of the Year' for Warragul, and 'Heritage Award' for "Drover's Boy".[25] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1990, Warragul earned his third Best Country Album award.[26] In October 1990 Williamson released JW's Family Album which reached No. 21.[24] In 1990 a new version of "Old Man Emu" appeared as a single, with a new lyric added: "He can run the pants off a dingo too".[27] In September 1992 his next album, Waratah St, was released it reached No. 14 on the ARIA Albums Chart,[24] and had received a gold certificate on pre-sale orders. At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1992, he won 'Top Selling Album' for JW's Family Album.[28]
Late in 1991 he combined with other country musicians,
At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1995, he won 'Video Track of the Year' for "Tropical Fever" – directed by Mark Jago.[30] During the year he celebrated twenty-five years in the Australian music industry with a new compilation, True Blue – The Very Best of John Williamson, which reached the top 30.[24] It included two new tracks, "Bush Town (The Lawnmower Song)" and "No-one Loves Brisbane Like Jesus". At that time, he published his book, True Blue: Stories and Songs of Australia, which contains the lyrics of his songs and explanations of their composition.[31][32] Williamson was surprised at the book's launch by Mike Munro as part of the TV documentary series, This is Your Life. He appeared on the series again in 2000 when Slim Dusty was the subject of an episode. At the Country Music Awards of Australia in January 1996, Williamson won 'Top Selling Album' for Mulga to Mangoes.[33] He released Family Album No.2 in September 1996.
In January the following year he was inducted to the Country Music Association of Australia's Roll of Renown.
2000s
At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 2000 John Williamson won 'Top Selling Album' for The Way It Is, 'Heritage Song of the Year' for "Campfire on the Road" and 'Bush Ballad of the Year' for "Three Sons".[36] He released his next compilation album, Anthems – A Celebration of Australia in August 2000, which peaked at No. 16.[24] A new single, "This Ancient Land", was recorded with country music veteran, Jimmy Little, for Corroboree that year. Other anthem tracks include "A Number on My Back" for the national rugby union team, Wallabies, and "The Baggy Green" with vocals by national cricket captain Steve Waugh. Also on the album are "Waltzing Matilda 2000" and a studio recording of "Advance Australia Fair" for the first time. He was invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics.
Williamson performed "
Williamson referred to 2003 as his 'most True Blue year ever'. He was elected President of the CMAA after Dusty retired. He then released the sequel to the 1995 compilation True Blue Two, which reached No. 8.[24] It featured his hit songs up to the Gunyah album and exclusively including five new tracks. On 12 October, Williamson was asked by the Prime Minister, John Howard, to perform "Waltzing Matilda" at the Memorial Service for the first Anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings.
At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 2004 Williamson and Sara Storer won 'Vocal Collaboration of the Year' and 'Single of the Year' for "Raining on the Plains", and the track won 'Song of the Year' which was shared with Storer and her co-writers, Garth Porter and Doug Storer.[39] The track is on Storer's 2002 album, Beautiful Circle. With regard to new arrangements of John's songs, having recorded a cover version of Stan Coster's "Wobbly Boot Hotel" on Waratah St in 1991, he re-recorded it in 2004 as a duet with Coster's daughter Tracy on "Coster Country", her tribute album to him. 2005 was a productive year for John in terms of recording and touring; he re-recorded "Wrinkles" as a duet with John Stephan, issued a twenty-track compilation of Queensland-themed songs, called "From Bulldust to Bitumen", available only to RACQ members, and in August, Chandelier of Stars was released, which reached No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[24] At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 2006 he won 'Album of the Year' and 'Top Selling Album' for Chandelier of Stars, and the track "Bells in a Bushman's Ear" won 'Bush Ballad of the Year'.[40]
In discussing John's wife of the time, the opening track, "Little Girl from the Dryland", describes Mary-Kay and her childhood in Tulloona Bore, south of
The following November, Williamson released the new song "We Love This Country" on a compilation of the same name with his favourite holiday songs to promote Australian tourism with
At the beginning of 2008 Williamson decided to put together a musical. Based on his music and lyrics, the book by Simon Heath and directed by Bernie Zelvis, Williamson named it Quambatook – The Musical. On 7 February 2008, the musical was premiered at the EVAN Theater in Penrith to positive reviews, making it a major highlight in the history of Australian musical theatre.
The album Hillbilly Road was released in August 2008. The lyrics for the album were inspired by his home in Springbrook. Subsequent singles that followed were "Cydi", "Drink a Little Love", "Australia Is Another Word for Free" as a trio with Williams and Amos Morris, and "Better Than a Picture". "The Joy Is in the Journey" was a special bonus addition to finish the album, previously appearing on the Quambatook Musical soundtrack. The Hillbilly Road album was promoted everywhere around Australia until early the next year when Williams decided to move on and pursue other musical projects, leaving Williamson to perform the rest of the tour solo. At the Country Music Awards of Australia for 2009 he won 'Bush Ballad of the Year' for "Australia Is Another Word for Free", performed by Williamson, Williams and Morris.[41]
By late 2009 Williamson got together with fellow country star
2010s
On 26 January (
On 28 January 2011 Williamson released a recording of a concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House.[42][43] At the Australian Country Music Awards in Tamworth that same month John presented Jimmy Little with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In January 2012, Williamson released
In April 2016, he released an EP called Looking for a Story, a new ANZAC tribute and six other sets of previously issued lyrics. John released his twentieth studio album Butcherbird in August 2018.
2020s
In 2020, Williamson celebrated 50 years since the release of "Old Man Emu", by releasing a 25xCD single box set, featuring 50 tracks spanning his career. Williamson said "Putting together this collection gave me a chance to take stock of what I've achieved during my career... While I'm not looking to retire just yet, once I've completed my 2020 Winding Back Tour I'll be scaling down my live appearances. I've always loved the connection I receive when performing, so you'll still see me popping up at festivals and special events. Winding Back mainly means I'm looking forward to spending more time in the garden and less time away from home fiddling about with those hard to open motel soaps."[44] JW 50 – Winding Back 1970–2020 was released on 19 June 2020 and peaked at number 50 on the ARIA Charts.
In September 2023, Williamson released two singles in support of the "Yes" campaign for the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum: "Voice From The Heart" and "Uluru Forever".[45][46]
Personal life
In the early 1970s John was living in Leichhardt and met Mary-Kay Price. Her parents had farmed on Tulloona Plain between Moree and Goondiwindi, and her father was a World War II soldier-settler.[5][7] In 1973, Williamson married Mary-Kay on her parents' farm.[5] The couple have two daughters, Ami and Georgie. Ami recalled "[w]hen Dad was away, he was really away".[7] Over his career Williamson has written some love songs for Mary-Kay including "Little Girl from the Dryland".[7] On 23 April 2007, after more than 30 years of marriage, Williamson and Mary-Kay divorced.[47][48] Williamson admitted that he preferred Springbrook in south-east Queensland to unwind and get inspiration for new material.
Following his marriage break-up, Williamson formed a relationship with a new partner, Meg Doyle, who organises some of his activities. The couple divide their time living together between Springbrook and their Sydney apartment[48] and were married in March 2013. His daughter, Ami, is also a musician, who has toured with Williamson. In early 2008, she toured Australian Defence Force bases in Iraq and Afghanistan to play to troops: she appeared on two episodes, "Show of Force", on Australian Story (May 2008) describing the tour.[49][50][51] Williamson also appeared on the same episodes he had advised his daughter "to sing stuff that's going to be good for the boys".[50] Ami explained her motivation for going "I've got, you know, a history of entertainers in my family ... [who] have performed for the military, my dad has, so I feel like I've taken the baton, which is cool".[51]
Williamson is a supporter and activist for Australia becoming a Republic, stating "I believe that those who cling to the Monarchy [...] are no different [...] from those who objected to the then proposed Federation [...]. In other words, there is no doubt in my mind that a Republic is inevitable [...]."[52]
His middle brother Robin died of cancer in 1999. The song "Salisbury Street" on Williamson's 2002 album "Gunyah" was dedicated to Robin. Salisbury Street was the location of their second home in Quambatook.[53]
These days Williamson lives on the Gold Coast in the hinterland suburb of Springbrook where he will occasionally host live concerts at a venue he built known as Willoshed.[54][55]
Criticism and controversy
"Call Me Blue" from the nineteenth album, Honest People, was written in reaction to the verbal abuse that Williamson received after resigning as president of the CMAA. He gave up the position of his own volition, unhappy with the "growing influence of American music".[56]
Discography
Studio albums
- John Williamson (1970)
- Comic Strip Cowboy (1976)
- Road to Town (1978)
- Fair Dinkum J.W. (1982)
- Road Thru the Heart (1985)
- Mallee Boy (1986)
- Boomerang Café (1988)
- Warragul (1989)
- JW's Family Album (1990)
- Waratah St (1991)
- Mulga to Mangoes (1994)
- Family Album No.2 (1996)
- Pipe Dream (1997)
- The Way It Is (1999)
- Gunyah (2002)
- Chandelier of Stars (2005)
- Hillbilly Road (2008)
- The Big Red (2012)
- Honest People (2014)
- Butcherbird (2018)
Honours, awards and nominations
On Australia Day 1992 John Williamson was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) with the citation: "for service to Australian country music and in stimulating awareness of conservation issues".[57] In the 2006 book, 1001 Australians You Should Know, music journalists, Toby Creswell and Samantha Chenoweth describe him as "[o]ne of the most popular songwriters in Australia ... [h]e has been a voice for the people of the bush and he has been a voice of dissent, openly criticising the woodchip industry".[58] He is also a Protect Our Coral Sea Ambassador.[59][60]
In mid-2015, Williamson was nominated for the 2015 Sounds of Australia competition by veteran Australian TV presenter and journalist Steve Liebmann.[61]
APRA Awards
These annual awards were established by
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | "True Blue" | Most Performed Australasian Country Work[62] | Won |
1990 | "Rip Rip Woodchip" | Most Performed Australasian Country Work[63] | Won |
1995 | "Tropical Fever" (John Williamson) | Most Performed Country Work[64] | Won |
ARIA Awards
The ARIA Music Awards are presented annually from 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). John Williamson has won four awards from twelve nominations, including his induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame on 27 October 2010.[65][66] He has won the 'Best Country Album' category three times, including the inaugural award in 1987, from six nominations.[65]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1987 | Mallee Boy | Best Country Album | Won |
Best Indigenous Release | Nominated | ||
1989 | Boomerang Cafe | Best Country Album | Won |
1990 | Warragul | Best Country Album | Won |
Best Adult Contemporary Album | Nominated | ||
1991 | JW's Family Album | Best Children's Album | Nominated |
1992 | Waratah St | Best Country Album | Nominated |
Best Adult Contemporary Album | Nominated | ||
1994 | Love Is a Good Woman | Best Country Album | Nominated |
1996 | True Blue – The Very Best of John Williamson | Highest Selling Album |
Nominated |
1998 | "Raining on the Rock" (duet with Warren H Williams) | Best Indigenous Release | Nominated |
2000 | The Way It Is | Best Country Album | Nominated |
2010 | John Williamson | ARIA Hall of Fame | Inductee |
2023[67] | Australian Marine Conservation Society: Voice of the Sea (INNOCEAN Australia Pty Ltd) | Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement (over 2 minutes duration) | Won |
CMAA Awards
These annual awards have been presented since 1973 and have been organised by Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) from 1993,[68] to "encourage, promote and recognise excellence in Australian country music recording". From that time the recipient's trophy has been a Golden Guitar.[69] John Williamson has won twenty-seven Country Music Awards of Australia, including induction into their Roll of Renown in 1997.[70][71][72]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
---|---|---|---|
1985 | "Queen in the Sport of Kings" | Song of the Year | Won |
1986 | Road thru the Heart | Album of the Year | Won |
"You and My Guitar" | Male Vocalist of the Year | Won | |
1987 | Mallee Boy | Album of the Year | Won |
"True Blue" | Male Vocalist of the Year | Won | |
1988 | Mallee Boy | Top Selling Album | Won |
1989 | Boomerang Cafe | Album of the Year | Won |
Top Selling Album | Won | ||
1990 | Warragul | Album of the Year | Won |
Top Selling Album | Won | ||
"Drover's Boy" | Heritage Award | Won | |
1992 | JW's Family Album | Top Selling Album | Won |
1995 | "Tropical Fever" – directed by Mark Jago | Video Track of the Year | Won |
1996 | Mulga to Mangoes | Top Selling Album | Won |
1997 | John Williamson | Roll of Renown | Inductee |
1998 | Pipe Dream | Top Selling Album | Won |
2000 | The Way It Is | Top Selling Album of the Year | Won |
"Campfire on the Road" | Heritage Song of the Year | Won | |
"Three Sons" | Bush Ballad of the Year | Won | |
2004 | "Raining on the Plains" (duet with Sara Storer) | Vocal Collaboration of the Year | Won |
Single of the Year | Won | ||
APRA Song of the Year[nb 1] | Won | ||
2006 | Chandelier of Stars | Album of the Year | Won |
Top Selling Album of the Year | Won | ||
"Bells in a Bushman's Ear" | Bush Ballad of the Year | Won | |
2009 | "Australia Is Another Word for Free" (with Warren H Williams and Amos Morris) | Bush Ballad of the Year | Won |
2014 | "Pozie" (with Sara Storer) | Vocal Collaboration of the Year | Won |
2019 | "Please Don't Forget Me" | Bush Ballad of the Year | Won |
Mo Awards
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Williamson won eight awards in that time.[73]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
---|---|---|---|
1986 | John Williamson | Male Country Entertainer of the Year | Won |
1987 | John Williamson | Male Country Entertainer of the Year | Won |
1988 | John Williamson | Male Country Entertainer of the Year | Won |
1990 | John Williamson | Country Performer of the Year | Won |
1991 | John Williamson | Country Performer of the Year | Won |
John Williamson | Male Country Entertainer of the Year | Won | |
John Williamson | Most Success Attraction of the Year | Won | |
1992 | John Williamson | Most Success Attraction of the Year | Won |
Tamworth Songwriters Awards
The Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) is an annual songwriting contest for original country songs, awarded in January at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. They commenced in 1986. John Williamson has won eight awards.[74]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | "When We Were Kids" by John Williamson and Allan Caswell | Country Song of the Year | Won |
1992 | "Papa Whiskey November" by John Williamson | Country Song of the Year | Won |
1996 | "Bush Town (The Lawn Mower Song)" by John Williamson | Children's Song of the Year | Won |
1997 | "Kitchy Kitch Koo" by John Williamson | Children's Song of the Year | Won |
1998 | "Old Farts in a Caravan Park" by John Williamson | Comedy / Novelty Song of the Year | Won |
2000 | "Purple Roses" by John Williamson | Contemporary Song of the Year | Won |
Country Song of the Year | Won | ||
2004 | John Williamson | Tex Morton Award | awarded |
Bibliography
John Williamson has written or co-written the following:[31]
- Valentine, Garrison; Williamson, John; Singleton, Glen (1995). The Golden Kangaroo. illustrated by Glen Singleton. Sydney: ISBN 186388243X.[75]
- Williamson, John (1995). True Blue: Stories and Songs of Australia. ISBN 0207189102.[32]
- Williamson, John (1997). Old Man Emu. illustrated by ISBN 0207191352.[76]
- Williamson, John (1998). John Williamson's Christmas in Australia. illustrated by Glen Singleton. Sydney: Scholastic Australia. ISBN 186388999X.[77]
- Williamson, John (2000). Anthems: A Celebration of Australia. London: Wise Publications. ISBN 1876871121.[78]
- Williamson, John (2003). True Blue Two: More Stories and Songs of Australia. Sydney: HarperCollins. ISBN 0732278767.[79]
- Williamson, John (2014). Hey True Blue. Melbourne: Penguin Australia. ISBN 9781921901744.[80]
- Williamson, John (2014). John Williamson's Christmas in Australia. illustrated by Mitch Vane. Melbourne: Penguin Australia. ISBN 9780670077724.[81]
See also
Notes
- ^ This award is shared by "Raining on the Plains"'s composers Sara Storer, Garth Porter and Doug Storer; it is performed as a duet by Williamson with Sara Storer.
References
- ^ "John Williamson". noise11. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
- The Argus. 5 November 1945. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Nimmervoll, Ed. "John Williamson". Howlspace – the Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
- Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Thompson, Peter (31 October 2005). "John Willamson". Talking Heads with Peter Thompson. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- ^ a b "John Williamson Biography". Take 40 Australia (MCM Entertainment). 2006. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g Borschmann, Gregg (2 July 2006). "The Songlines Conversations: John Williamson". Big Ideas. ABC Radio National. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ISBN 978-1865085760.
- ^ a b c d e f Kimball, Duncan (2007). "Record Labels – Fable Records". Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975. ICE Productions. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- ^ Nimmervoll, Ed (19 September 1970). "National Top 60". Go-Set. Waverley Press. Archived from the original on 29 March 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- ^ Nimmervoll, Ed (January 1971). "Top Records for the Year of 1970". Go-Set. Waverley Press. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- ^ a b "Ricky & Tammy". Country Music Association of Australia. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Dennis W. Nicholson (ed.). "Travlin' Out West". Australian Soundtracks. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Dennis W. Nicholson (ed.). "Breaker Morant". Australian Soundtracks. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ "1985". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ a b "1986". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ISBN 0646119176. Note: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) created their own chartsin mid-1988.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1987: 1st Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ "1987". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ Metherell, Lisa (24 November 2011). "Australian Made: Still True Blue?". The World Today with Eleanor Hall. Radio National. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ "1988". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1989: 3rd Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ "1989". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hung, Steffen. "Discography John Williamson". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ "1990". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1990: 4th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ "Old Man Emu" (7" single back cover). Gumleaf Records. 1990.
- ^ "1992". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ a b "How the CMAA Was Born". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "1995". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ a b "Search Results for 'creator: "Williamson, John, 1945–"' – Books". Trove. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ a b "True Blue : Stories and Songs of Australia / John Williamson". Trove. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
Country musician Williamson tells the stories behind some of his song lyrics and the people and places that are his inspiration. Includes discography and list of awards
. - ^ "1996". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "1997". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "1998". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "2000". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "ARIA Report Issue 634" (PDF). 24 April 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2002. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ "John Williamson - the Aussie Ballader". Mad as a Fish. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ "2004". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "2006". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "2009". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "John Williamson John Williamson in Symphony CD/DVD". Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- ^ "John Williamson in Symphony".
- ^ "John Williamson Celebrates 50 Years of Music with Career Spanning Box Set". The Artist Network. May 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- ^ "John Williamson Releases Two New Songs For Yes: 'Voice From The Heart' And 'Uluru Forever'". The Music. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Why this True Blue Aussie is voting yes for the Voice referendum | Today Show Australia, retrieved 27 September 2023
- AEST23 April 2007.
- ^ a b Vranjes, Emilia (15 February 2012). "True Blue Back on the Road Again". inMyCommunity. Community Newspaper Group. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Jarvis, Susan. "Paradise Gained". Capital News. Rural Press Limited. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ a b "'Show of Force Part 1' – Transcript". Australian Story. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 12 May 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ a b "'Show of Force Part 2' – Transcript". Australian Story. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 19 May 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ John Williamson. "A 'True Blue' Australian Flag". John Williamson. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ CD insert, Gunyah, 2002.
- ^ Lisa Rockman. "John Williamson may be winding down touring after 52 years but he still has a lot to say". Canberra Times. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Lisa Rockman. "John Williamson settles near Scenic Rim as he winds back touring". Ipswich Tribune. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Kelly Fuller (12 December 2013). "John Williamson steps down from CMAA, Dobe Newton from Bushwackers steps in". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- Government of Australia. 26 January 1992. Archivedfrom the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ISBN 978-1-86403-361-8.
- ^ John Williamson website; News column
- YouTube
- ^ Steve Liebmann nominates John Williamson for Sounds of Australia, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXoIXVyPdpo
- ^ "APRA Music Awards – 1988 Winners". Australasian Performing Right Association. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ "APRA Music Awards – 1989–1990 Winners". Australasian Performing Right Association. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ "APRA Music Awards – 1995 Winners". Australasian Performing Right Association. Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ a b "ARIA Awards – Search Results for 'John Williamson'". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "More Loved Ones to Join ARIA Hall of Fame". ABC News. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ^ "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "About the CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia". Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA). Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia Winners Archive". Country Music Association of Australia. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) 1980–1989". Country Music Association of Australia. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) 1990–1999". Country Music Association of Australia. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "CMAA 2000–2008". Country Music Association of Australia. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ "Tamworth Songwriters Association". Tamworth Songwriters Association Online. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "The Golden Kangaroo / by Garrison Valentine ; illustrated by Glen Singleton". Trove. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
Compact disc by John Williamson
. - ^ "Old Man Emu / Song Written and Performed by John Williamson ; illustrated by Rolf Harris". Trove. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
1 compact disc inside backcover
. - ^ "John Williamson's Christmas in Australia / [John Williamson] ; illustrated by Glen Singleton". Trove. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
Includes compact disc entitled: Christmas Photo
. - ^ "Anthems: A Celebration of Australia [Music]". Trove. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
Publisher's no.: MS03881. Some songs written by John Williamson. Melody line with words and chord symbols and diagrams. "All twenty true blue Australian songs from the John Williamson Anthems album arranged for piano, keyboard and guitar with lyrics"—Back cover. Includes index on back cover
. - ^ "True Blue Two: More Stories and Songs of Australia / John Williamson". Trove. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
Discography: p. 175-181. Includes index. Bibliography: p. 183-184
. - ^ "Hey True Blue / John Williamson". Penguin Australia. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
The long-awaited life story of John Williamson
- ^ "John Williamson's Christmas in Australia / John Williamson". Penguin Australia. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
From Australian icon and singer–songwriter, John Williamson, comes this hugely popular family song, brought to life by talented artist, Mitch Vane.