Concert for Joy

Wed 22 JAN – TAMWOTH REGIONAL ENTERTAINMENT CONFERENCE CENTRE (TRECC)

Presented by Slim Dusty Centre, Kempsey

CELEBRATING THE LIFE & SONGS OF JOY MCKEAN

In what is sure to be the concert of the festival, the Slim Dusty Centre will present a stellar line-up of artists to help celebrate the 90th birthday of Australia’s most loved pioneering singer songwriters, JOY McKEAN.

Some of country music’s biggest names along with pop icons Paul Kelly and Don Walker, will take to the stage to perform their own special version of Joy’s compositions.  Iconic songs such as Lights On The Hill, Biggest Disappointment, Ringer From The Top End, Walk A Country Mile and Indian Pacific have resonated with Australians since Joy took out the first ever Golden Guitar in 1973.

The respect that that contemporary artists have for Joy and her catalogue of classics is far reaching.  Don Walker, (master songwriter for rock legends Cold Chisel) says of Joy “Singer, songwriter, travelling performer before all that was invented, wife of a remarkable man and matriarch of a remarkable family, Joy has lived a life so far unlike any other.”

Through the years, Joy has won many awards and accolades including seven Golden Guitars for her songwriting and the prestigious Industry Achiever Award by the Country Music Association of Australia, the organisation she co-founded in 1992, serving as Treasurer for some 10 years then as Chairman before retiring in January 2003.

While songwriting genius Paul Kelly was brief but profound in his praise “Quite simply one of our greatest songwriters.”

In recent years Joy has been active with The Slim Dusty Foundation and the newly opened Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey NSW.

Joy McKean has made an immense contribution to Australian Country Music, covering many areas from performance and songwriting to working for the industry.

Country superstar Troy Cassar-Daley has a huge affection and respect for Joy and her work and says that she “has been an inspiration to our industry” and notes that “in a workplace mostly dominated by males, she stood her ground and earned the respect she so rightly deserves…Joy is a national treasure.”

Throughout Slim and Joy’s time touring around the country, they were backed by the legendary Travelling Country Band. Made up of some of country music’s finest musicians, TCB was led by Slim’s long-time producer, Rod Coe who will once again bring together the past band members for this one-off concert.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this historic event to honour Joy McKean, one of our most loved and respected country music pioneers.

Click below for tickets

https://www.trecc.com.au/the-concert-for-joy