Slim Dusty, an icon of Australian country music, would have celebrated his 100th birthday next year.
To commemorate the milestone and pay tribute to a legend, EMI/Universal Music Australia and the Slim Dusty Estate are inviting fans to get involved and help put together a new album, Slim Dusty 100.
Sunday, 13 June 2027 marks what would have been Slim Dusty’s 100th birthday.
As fans know, his influence on Australian country music and culture is immeasurable. Through his songs and storytelling, he captured the essence and spirit of Australia, spotlighting the nation’s people, places, humour, hardship, and way of life for all to see.
Decades later, Slim’s music continues to resonate with music fans, keeping multiple generations of Australians close. Now, it’s the fans’ turn to continue to keep his legacy alive.
With Slim’s 100th birthday approaching, EMI/Universal Music Australia and the singer’s Estate have invited fans to have their say in the Slim Dusty 100 — A Fan-Led Celebration of Slim Dusty’s Legacy.
The Slim Dusty 100 will come together with a nationwide fan vote, in which punters will choose their ten favourite Slim Dusty songs – an exceedingly difficult task, as he recorded more than 1,000 songs.
Fans will have the opportunity to put any songs forward, from adored classics to hidden gems. The 100 most-voted songs will be collected for the Slim Dusty 100, a compilation album that will have a vinyl, CD, and digital release.
The final countdown will be revealed on what would have been Slim’s 100th birthday – 13 June.
To cast your vote in the Slim Dusty 100, head here and vote for your ten favourite Slim Dusty songs. Voting is now open and closes on Monday, 16 November. What will make your Top 10?
In addition to the album, Slim’s legacy will be commemorated at next year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Alongside children Anne Kirkpatrick and David Kirkpatrick, the evening will also feature Slim’s Travelling Country Band and the next generation of the family in Small Town Romance (including grandson James Arneman and his wife, Flora Smith).
Additionally, David Kirkpatrick's band, Two Tone Pony, will make a special appearance that night.
Slim Dusty was born David Gordon Kirkpatrick on 13 June 1927, wrote his first song at 10, and adopted his famous moniker the following year. By 18, he was already releasing music. In 1951, he married Joy McKean, whose songwriting helped Slim reach heights never before seen in local country music.
With millions of records sold throughout his nearly 60-year career, over 100 albums released, and myriad Golden Guitar awards, he's one of the most iconic names in Australian music – country or not – and his passing in September 2003 at the age of 76 was a terrible day for Australian music.
