Sometimes, truth be told, family ties run little deeper than a shared genetic ancestry. Not enough to form the basis for a musical collaboration … but then the ‘Dustys’ are no ordinary family. Their reunion was always going to come with the highest of expectations – most set by the family itself. Although this family project was first discussed in the months following Slim’s passing, there were some important and difficult decisions that took time to make. The family members – wife Joy, daughter Anne and son David, and grandchildren Kate and James and Hannah and Daniel – decided to use their own words and those that fitted to chronicle and celebrate the life, times and music of the most famous of all country performers. It was a decision that would have greatly pleased the ‘old man’, staunch advocate that he was of young people following their own direction and finding their own voices.

And so what we have is the pride and respect we’d expect family members to share, coupled with the love of a music and tradition that they’ve so obviously inherited and are determined to carry on.

On Saturday 6 September, The Slim Dusty Foundation and family will present a tribute concert and fundraiser in Slim Dusty’s honour at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre in Longreach. The weekend will be supported by other key artists and visitors will be entertained by regular concerts throughout the day. An unplugged session with Joy McKean and Anne Kirkpatrick will be held at the Cattlemen’s Bar & Grill on Sunday 7 September.

To purchase tickets and find out more about this great concert please call the Hall of Fame on 07 4658 2166.