THOSE bronze busts of country music pioneers in Bicentennial Park, Tamworth don’t just appear there by magic.
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A lot of hard work and fundraising has gone into the creation of each one.
While the Jimmy Little bust was unveiled on Friday at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, fundraising has begun in earnest for the next bust, which will honour the one and only Sheik of Scrubby Creek.
After more than six decades on the stage, there’s no sign of slowing down for Chadwick William (Chad) Morgan.
Born in Wondai, Queensland in 1933, Chad was discovered on Australia’s Amateur Hour radio program, which led to him making his first recording with Regal Zonophone, a subsidiary of EMI.
Through the years of touring, recording, performing and travelling countless country miles, he’s become an institution in Australasian country music – its most unique character and still one of the biggest drawcards around.
Morgan was inducted into the Hands of Fame in 1979 and in 1987 was elevated to the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown.
He was recognised in 2002 with a Living Legend award at Kempsey, and in 2004 was a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his contribution to entertainment.
In 2010, Morgan was the first person to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Country Music Association of Australia.
Whether he’s performing to a mob at the local pub in outback Australia or on the stage of the Sydney Opera House, he always gives 100 per cent – and the audience always responds warmly to “The Sheik”.
To start the ball rolling, the first fundraising concert will be held at the Balladeers’ Homestead, Goonoo Goonoo Rd, Tamworth (the Salvation Army Hope Centre), at 7pm, on Sunday.
Hosted by Lorraine Pfitzner, the line-up features Jeff Brown, Tom Maxwell, Lyn Manning, Kate Hindle, Tommy Kennedy, Johnny Greenwood, Ged and Trudy Hintz, Rex Baldwin and the man of the moment – Chad Morgan!
A donation of $15 is payable at the door.
The late Slim Dusty once christened Morgan “the clown prince of Australian country music”, but after more than six decades entertaining people across the nation, he’s well and truly earned the title of King of Australian Country Music Comedy.
