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Tributes flow for Smoky Dawson

15-02-08

The Australian country music industry is mourning the death of Smoky Dawson, describing him as a pioneer and a legend.

Dawson died in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon after a short illness. He was 94.

Australian of the Year, country singer Lee Kernaghan said Dawson was unique as a man and as a performer.

"Smoky was a man that was not like any other man I've ever met," Kernaghan told the Fairfax Radio Network.

"He had the ability to give so much love to so many people.

"Not only was he a magnificent and brilliant man and singer and songwriter and performer, he gave so much to so many people."

 In 1978, Dawson was awarded an MBE and in 1999 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia.

Dawson was also inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005.

In the US, he was honoured by the Grand Ole Opry.

Smoky Dawson is survived by his wife, Dot.

The pair married in 1944 and set-up the Smoky Dawson Ranch in Sydney's northern outskirts.

February 14, 2008 
ABC

February 14, 2008
AAP
Alyssa Braithwaite, National Entertainment Writer

 

 

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