Buddy Williams
Encyclopedia
Harold "Buddy" Williams ( 1918–1986 ) was an Australia
n country music singer and songwriter. He was the first Australian born to record country music in Australia, three years after the New Zealand
born Tex Morton had made his first recording session here in Australia. The music style was originally called Hillbilly Music but over the years the name changed to Country Music
as we now refer to it. Buddy Williams was an Australian born singer recording his own songs about life and times in the Australian bush written from first hand experience. It was with Buddy Williams that the Bush Ballad was first born.
Buddy Williams was born in Newtown in Sydney
N.S.W. and was soon placed in Glebe Point Orphanage. After many failed escape bids as a child, he was soon fostered out as a young boy to a dairy farming family at Dorrigo on the north coast of New South Wales. It soon became apparent that rather than looking for a new child to bring up, they were more interested in an unpaid labourer. This was not uncommon in the depression and post depression era where rural child slavery was a fact of life. Times were hard and life on the farm was tough for the young Williams, but it also allowed freedom he never had in the orphanage. He was soon listening to the recordings on an old Gramophone
of his favourite singers such as Jimmie Rodgers and soon fell in love with this new music that was to become known as country music. At 15 he ran away from his foster home working for other families in the district. He worked at many jobs and started busking around the north coast of NSW, dodging the Police who frowned upon such activities. Buddy later worked and sang his way to Sydney and auditioned for and signed a recording contract with EMI.
The Page family from Newcastle
who had befriended the young Buddy Williams, bought him his famous black Gibson L-00 acoustic guitar which he used on all his recordings during the 1940s. This beautiful guitar was later accidentally destroyed whilst on tour in the late 1940s. Buddy Williams later recalled that he had spent his entire life trying to find a replacement guitar that had the same sound quality of his old Gibson, but he never found a guitar as good as his old original Gibson. On the 7 September 1939 he recorded six songs for the Regal Zonophone label. More recording sessions followed during the war in 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1945. Early on Buddy Williams enlisted in the army during WW2 and many of the recording sessions were done whilst on leave from active service. In the final days of WW2 he was seriously wounded at Balikpapan and was not expected to live. He was recommended for the Military Medal. In 1946 he also starred in a short film titled "He Chased The Chicken". He was also meant to appear in the movie "The Overlanders" with Chips Rafferty, but was unable to obtain leave from the army at the time.
After the war was over and he had recovered from his injuries, he set about forming one of the largest ever travelling rodeo tent shows Australia has ever seen. He toured the length and breath of the country with this road show, being the first Australian entertainer to take a full road show on tour through the northern territory and far north Queensland. He blazed the trail for many artists to follow down through the years, visiting the isolated communities in the outback
. He eventually wound back his rodeo and tent show after many years and then toured for 11 months of the year every year with the Buddy Williams Variety Show, visiting the isolated towns and communities of the bush preferring to steer clear of the large cities. For this he earned the respect of country Australians and was a special favourite amongst the Aboriginal people who's isolated communities he regularly performed at throughout the outback. Though he mainly performed in the country towns, he did a number of shows through the years in major cities. During 1940 he played the Theatre Royal in Sydney alongside Roy Rene and Evie Hayes. He also did an 8 week stint at Brisbane's Theatre Royal. In 1973 he played Sydney's Horden Pavilion for the UNICEF concert alongside American big name acts such as Tex Ritter and Wanda Jackson.
Despite the constant touring over the years he continued to record right up until he died in 1986. In fact his last recordings were made just months before his death, despite the fact at the time he was very sick with the cancer that would eventually take his life. He was one of the last Australian singers who only used a guitar as accompaniment. His recordings from 1942 through to 1945 are considered by many good judges to be the finest ever recordings of a vocalist and guitarist. Around 1965 he moved over to RCA records where he became a Gold Record recording artist, and recorded a large number of albums, the last album he recorded in 1986 released after his death. In 1977 he was added to the Country Music Roll of Renown along with Tex Morton and Smokey Dawson and in 1980 won the first ever Heritage Award at the Tamworth Country Music Awards for his song "What A Dreary Old World It Would Be".
Harold (Buddy) Williams was buried on the 17/12/1986 aged 68 years. He is buried at Lutwyche Cemetery, Gympie Road, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in Monumental grave Portion 10, Section 73A, Grave Number 14. Buddy is buried with Grace Mary Williams who was buried on 06/02/1995, and one year old Dorita Carolyn Williams who was buried 03/12/1948. The three are buried very close to the northern side of the War Grave Commission site.
During the late 1970s, Buddy Williams was the subject of a documentary titled "The Last Of The Fair Dinkum Outback Entertainers", narrated by his good mate John Singleton. A number of artists have recorded Buddy Williams songs including, Rick and Thel Carey who recorded an album of his songs. The Le Garde Twins who toured with Buddy also recorded a number of his songs, Rex Dallas, Slim Dusty, Nev Nichols, Lindsay Butler and more recently Ashley Cook who recorded a whole album of Buddy's songs. During the 1970s US country Music superstar Wilf Carter also recorded a number of Buddy Williams songs on an album of Australian songs. A number of tribute songs have been recorded by many artists including John Williamson who's song "The Last Of The Pioneers" is a fitting tribute to Buddy and his enormous contribution to Australian music. In the early 1970s he gave a young kid with a big guitar a start in his band. He would end up touring with Buddy for a number of years and was a regular session musician for Buddy down through the years. The young kid was none other than the great Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanual.
The Australian Music Industry owes a lot to Buddy Williams, though many modern artists may know little of him or have no idea of the impact he had on their careers by what he did during those early pioneering days of the Australian Recording and Entertainment Industry. Those early pioneering recording sessions in primitive conditions produced some of the finest singer / guitarist music ever recorded anywhere, timeless recordings that will live on forever. From the hardships he endured through to the personal tragedies he and his family suffered on the road, he continued to take his music to the people no matter where and no matter how isolated the communities were. He opened up many of the touring circuits that are now regular touring routes for not only Country artists but also artists from other styles of music. Although when people talk of Australian Country Music the name Slim Dusty always comes to mind, even though Slim was more popular especially amongst the city based country music fans, there are many other country music fans who will hear of no other King Of Australian Country Music than Buddy Williams.
07/09/1939:
That Dapple Grey Bronco Of Mine /
They Call Me The Rambling Yodeller (G 23854) /
Lonesome For You Mother Dear /
Give A Little Credit To Your Dad (G 23855) /
The Orphan's Lament /
My Moonlight Lullaby (G 23856)
14/05/1940:
Happy Jackaroo/ /
Dreaming Of My Mother (G 24026) /
A Cowboy's Life Is Good Enough For Me /
Under The Old Wattle Tree (G 24027) /
The Australian Bushman's Yodel /
There's An Empty Bunk In The Bunkhouse (G 24028)
25/11/1940:
The Shearer's Goodbye /
Memories Of Home (G 24187) /
The Newsboy's Message /
Going Home (G 24221) /
The Wandering Gambler /
Happy Cowboys (G 24326)
14/11/1941:
Headin' For The Warrick Rodeo /
Can A Black Sheep Be Forgiven (G 24382) /
The Crepe Upon The Little Cabin Door /
The Maple On The Hill (G 24409) /
When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming ** /
Let's Grow Old Together ** (G 24482)
NOTE: ** Duet With Bernie Burnett.
20/11/1941:
The Dying Soldier's Prayer /
I'll Be Back Never Fear (G 24506) /
The Face On The Bar Room Floor /
Wingie The Railway Cop (G 24545) /
Down By The Old Beaten Trail /
The Australian Hillbilly (G 24554)
18/05/1942:
What A Pal My Mother Might Have Been To Me /
Where The White Faced Cattle Roam (G 24596) /
My Pretty Quadroon /
Wonder Valley (G 24632) /
Blazin' The Trail /
A Mother's Plea (G 24670)
22/12/1943:
Where The Roly Poly Grass Rolls O'er The Plain /
Music In My Pony's Feet (G 24822) /
Stockmen In Uniform ** /
Sunny Australian Sweetheart ** (G 24851) /
Ridin' Home At Sundown /
Bushland Of My Dreams (G 24883)
NOTE: ** Duet With Bernie Burnett.
16/03/1945:
Brown Eyed Sweetheart Of Mine ## /
The Bushman's Rodeo ## (G 24929) /
The Drover's Song /
Where The Lazy Murray River Rolls Along ## (G 24947) /
Bushland Paradise ## /
Rhythm In The Saddle (G 24963) ##
NOTE: ## Duet With Lenore Miller.
19/09/1946:
The Overlander Trail /
Over Hill Top And Hollow (G 25052) /
Riding Down The Valley /
The Mountain Barbecue (G 25069) /
Chain Lightning The Outlaw /
The Orphan Boy And His Dog (G 25078)
25/03/1948:
Down The Old Bush Track /
Pioneering Days (G25224) /
The Stockman And The Outlaw /
My Sunny Southern Home (G 25237) /
The Chicken Song (G 25218)
23/04/1948:
Eureka (G 25218)
21/09/1950:
Dear Old Aussie Blues /
Beneath The Queensland Moon (G 25284) /
Riding Down The Wallaby Trail /
Always Call Me Darling (G 25286) /
My Darling River Rose /
Little Jackeroo (G 25287)
18/06/1951:
Wedding Bells /
Murrumbidgee Blues /
The Black Sheep /
Freight Train Blues /
I'm Gonna Tear Down The Mailbox /
Beyond The Setting Sun
30/10/1951:
The Flying Doctor /
A Mother As Lovely As You /
There's Another Angel In Heaven /
Too Many Parties And Too Many Pals /
I Can't Stand Sitting In A Cell /
Gambling Polka Dot Blues
COLUMBIA RECORDING STUDIO SESSIONS, 301 CASTLEREAGH ST, SYDNEY
18/11/1952:
Too Old To Cut The Mustard /
Back Street Affair /
My Mother Must Have Been A Girl Like You /
I Love You A Thousand Ways /
Christmas Bells /
Dear Old Dorrigo /
Somebody's Stolen My Honey /
Blue Since You've Been Gone
03/07/1953:
Death Of Hank Williams /
Missing In Action /
Pentridge Jail /
Spirit Of Progress /
I Can't Forget My Memories /
Swagman's Friend /
The Old Sundowner /
Australia's Kitty Grill
02/10/1953:
Honeymoon On A Rocket Ship /
The Ring /
The Blacksheep's Return To The Fold /
The Kelly Gang /
In Daddy's Footsteps /
I'd Rather Have A Pony Than A Girl
22/06/1955:
I've Mortgaged The Farm Again /
Sailor Boy /
Away Out On The Plain /
Ben Hall The Bushranger /
Busy Buzzin' Round /
A Yellow Dog's Love /
There's Sunshine On My Side Of The Street /
She Left Me For The Joys Of Gold
05/10/1956:
It Sure Makes You Wonder, Don't It? /
Christmas Boogie /
Rocky Roundup Show /
Our Wedding /
Little Red Bonnet /
Kings Cross Boogie /
Answer To Missing In Action /
The Ringer /
Mareeba Rodeo /
Poison Darts /
Mummy Didn't Tuck Me Into Bed Last Night /
Lest We Forget
29/08/1958:
Flynn Of The Inland /
My Dream Of Hank And Jimmie /
I'll Stroll Down Memory Lane With You /
Don't Forget Me Little Darling /
The Prisoner's Song /
On An Ocean Of Broken Dreams /
In The Doghouse /
Bowlegged Stockman
18/09/1959:
Hank, It Will Never Be The Same Without You /
Aren't I Lucky /
Rocking Alone In An Old Rocking Chair /
Rhythm Of The Roundup /
Polling Day /
Dave Sands
24/03/1960:
Anybody's Lover /
The Nightmare /
Christmas Blues /
What's The Use /
The Snowy Mountains /
Ten Years
22/09/1960:
Under Western Skies /
When The Cactus Is In Bloom /
The Panther /
The Spice Of Life /
My Sleepy Valley Home /
Roley
01/12/1961:
Mother Went A-Walking /
Crazy /
I Went Home To Mother /
Teardrops /
Journey's End /
01/12/1962:
Gonna Ride Till The Sun Goes Down /
Rocking Cowboy /
True Friends Are So Few /
My Sleepy Valley Home (Recut)
20/05/1963:
Please Light The darkness For Me /
Ive Forgotton How To Cry /
Snow On The Mountain /
Back To Alice Springs /
When Jesus Calls /
The Cross Of Jesus /
The Rules Of Love (not released until 1979) /
Horse Teams (not released until 1979)
26/02/1964:
Way Up North /
Pal Of My Heart /
I'm Moving Out /
Pretty Girl /
I've Been Around /
A Letter To Slim
EMI / COLUMBIA ALBUMS:
BUDDY WILLIAMS SINGS JIMMY RODGERS (1962) 330SX 7665. NOTE: This album was re released at a later date under the same name except with different album cover artwork. Columbia OEX 9659.'
Moonlight And Skies (08/01/1962) /
Mother Was A Lady (08/01/1962) /
For The Sake Of Days Gone By (08/01/1962) /
Gambling Polka Dot Blues (30/10/1951) /
Daddy And Home (08/01/1962) /
My Old Pal (09/01/1962) /
Dear Old Sunny South By The Sea (08/01/1962) /
Hobo Bill's Last Ride (09/01/1962) /
Mother, The Queen Of My Heart (10/01/1962) /
When The Cactus Is In Bloom (22/09/1960) /
She Was happy Till She Met You (09/01/1962) /
Nobody Knows But Me (09/01/1962)
BUDDY WILLIAMS SINGS OUTBACK BALLADS: (19??) 330SX 7644
Where The Roly Poly Grass Rolls O'er The Plain (22/12/1943) /
Rhythm In The Saddle ## (16/3/1945) /
Music In My Pony's Feet (22/12/1943) /
The Flying Doctor (30/10/1951) /
Pioneering Days (25/3/1948) /
Where The White Faced Cattle Roam (18/5/1942) /
The Bushman's Rodeo ## (16/3/1945) /
My Sunny Southern Home (25/3/1948) /
The Swagman's Friend (3/7/1953) /
The Stockman And The Outlaw (25/3/1948) /
The Drover's Song (16/3/1045) /
The Cowboy's Life Is Good Enough For Me (14/5/1940)
NOTE: ## Duet with Lenore Miller.
The following re release compilation albums were made possible by the use of original 78rpm records, from the collection of record collector and music historian Ray Faulks. He also provided detailed cover notes with a description of each song on the album.
BUDDY WILLIAMS "I'LL STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH YOU": (1978) EMI EMB.10402
(They Call Me) The Rambling Yodeller (7/9/1939) /
Let's Grow Old Together ** (7/7/1941) /
The Cowboy's Life Is Good Enough For Me (14/5/1940) /
Where The White Faced Cattle Roam (18/5/1942) /
The Australian Hillbilly (20/11/1941) /
Overlander Trail (13/9/1939) /
Music In My Pony's Feet (22/12/1943) /
Happy Cowboys (25/11/1940) /
Little Red Bonnet (5/10/1956) /
I'll Stroll Down Memory Lane With You (29/8/1958) /
My Sleepy Valley Home (24/5/1962, not released until May 1978) /
The Rules Of Love (20/5/1963, not released until May 1978 due to copyright issues) /
Back To Alice Springs (20/5/1963) /
Horse Teams (24/5/1962, not released until May 1978 due to copyright issues) /
NOTE: ** Duet with Bernie Burnett.
BUDDY WILLIAMS "BUSHLAND OF MY DREAMS": (1979) EMI EMB.10441
Happy Jackaroo (14.5.1940) /
Brown-Eyed Sweetheart Of Mine ## (16.3.1945) /
Dear Old Dorrigo (18/11/1952) /
When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming ** (20/11/1941) /
Murrumbidgee Blues (18/6/1951) /
Down By The Old Beaten Trail (20/11/1941) /
Where The Lazy Murray River Rolls Along ## (16/3/1945) /
Riding Home At Sundown (22/12/1943) /
Under The Old Wattle Tree (14/5/1040) /
Bushland Of My Dreams (22/12/1943) /
Beneath The Queensland Moon (21/9/1950) /
Sunny Australian Sweetheart ** (22/12/1943) /
Little Jackaroo (21/9/1950) /
My Moonlight Lullaby (7/9/1939)
NOTE: ** Duet with Bernie Burnett. / ## Duet with Lenore Miller.
BUDDY WILLIAMS "BLAZIN' THE TRAIL": (1983) EMI EMB.10509
Blazin' The Trail (18/5/1942) /
Poison Darts (5/10/1956) /
The Shearer's Goodbye (25/11/1940) /
The Dying Soldier's Prayer (20/11/1941) /
The Swagman's Friend (3/7/1953) /
Stockmen In Uniform ** (22/12/1943) /
The Drover's Song (16/3/1945) /
Headin' For The Warwick Rodeo (14/11/1941) /
The Spirit Of Progress (3/7/1953) /
That Dapple Grey Bronco Of mine (7/9/1939) /
Wonder Valley (18/5/1942) /
The Flying Doctor (30/10/1951) /
Rhythm In The Saddle ## (16/3/1945) /
Memories Of Home (25/11/1940)
NOTE: ** Duet with Bernie Burnett. / ## Duet with Lenore Miller.
BUDDY WILLIAMS "OVER HILLTOP AND HOLLOW": (1985) EMI AX 701217
Lonesome For You Mother Dear (7/9/1939) /
The Australian Bushman's Yodel (14/5/1940) /
Over Hilltop And Hollow (13/9/1946) /
There' Another Angel In Heaven (30/10/1951) /
Honeymoon On A Rocket Ship (2/10/1953) /
Back Street Affair (18/11/1952) /
Where The Roly Poly Grass Rolls O'er The Plain (22/12/1943) /
Kings Cross Boogie (5/10/1956) /
Christmas Bells (18/11/1952) /
The Crepe Upon The Little Cabin Door (14/7/1941) /
Our Wedding (5/10/1956) /
Freight Train Blues (18/6/1951) /
Too Old To Cut The Mustard (18/11/1952) /
I'll Be Back Never Fear (20/11/1941)
THE IMMORTAL BUDDY WILLIAMS "AWAY OUT ON THE PLAIN": (1987) EMI AX 701370
The Old Sundowner (3/7/1953) /
Australia's Kitty Gill (3/7/1953) /
Away Out On The Plain (22/6/1955) /
A Yellow Dog's Love (22/6/1955) /
Mareeba Rodeo (5/10/1956) /
Pioneering Days (25/3/1948) /
The Wandering Gambler (25/11/1940) /
I'd Rather Have A Pony Than A Girl (2/10/1953) /
Wingie The Railway Cop (20/11/1941) /
The Kelly Gang (2/10/1953) /
Bushland Paradise ## (16/3/1945) /
The Ringer (5/10/1956) /
Chain Lightning The Outlaw (13/9/1946) /
Going Home (25/11/1940)
NOTE: ## Duet with Lenore Miller.
To Be Continued.....
A large number of 45 rpm singles and at least two Extended Play 45 rpm E.P.'s were released by EMI over the years, of previously released recordings from 78 rpm Gramaphone records. These were released under the EMI Columbia label.
EMI: EXTENDED PLAY 45 RPM.
WEDDING BELLS: (1951) EMI SEGO 70035
When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming **(14/11/1941) / Let's Grow Old Together **(14/11/1041) / Wedding Bells (18/6/1951) / Murrumbidgee Blues (18/6/1951)
NOTE: ** Duet with Bernie Burnett.
THE KELLY GANG: (1957) EMI SEGO 70047
The Blacksheep's Return To The Fold (2/10/1953) /
The Kelly Gang (2/10/1953) /
Mareeba Rodeo (5/10/1956) /
Poisoned Darts (5/10/1956)
EMI COMPACT DISK (CD) RELEASES:
BUDDY WILLIAMS "UNDER WESTERN SKIES"
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n country music singer and songwriter. He was the first Australian born to record country music in Australia, three years after the New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
born Tex Morton had made his first recording session here in Australia. The music style was originally called Hillbilly Music but over the years the name changed to Country Music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
as we now refer to it. Buddy Williams was an Australian born singer recording his own songs about life and times in the Australian bush written from first hand experience. It was with Buddy Williams that the Bush Ballad was first born.
Buddy Williams was born in Newtown in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
N.S.W. and was soon placed in Glebe Point Orphanage. After many failed escape bids as a child, he was soon fostered out as a young boy to a dairy farming family at Dorrigo on the north coast of New South Wales. It soon became apparent that rather than looking for a new child to bring up, they were more interested in an unpaid labourer. This was not uncommon in the depression and post depression era where rural child slavery was a fact of life. Times were hard and life on the farm was tough for the young Williams, but it also allowed freedom he never had in the orphanage. He was soon listening to the recordings on an old Gramophone
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
of his favourite singers such as Jimmie Rodgers and soon fell in love with this new music that was to become known as country music. At 15 he ran away from his foster home working for other families in the district. He worked at many jobs and started busking around the north coast of NSW, dodging the Police who frowned upon such activities. Buddy later worked and sang his way to Sydney and auditioned for and signed a recording contract with EMI.
The Page family from Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
who had befriended the young Buddy Williams, bought him his famous black Gibson L-00 acoustic guitar which he used on all his recordings during the 1940s. This beautiful guitar was later accidentally destroyed whilst on tour in the late 1940s. Buddy Williams later recalled that he had spent his entire life trying to find a replacement guitar that had the same sound quality of his old Gibson, but he never found a guitar as good as his old original Gibson. On the 7 September 1939 he recorded six songs for the Regal Zonophone label. More recording sessions followed during the war in 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1945. Early on Buddy Williams enlisted in the army during WW2 and many of the recording sessions were done whilst on leave from active service. In the final days of WW2 he was seriously wounded at Balikpapan and was not expected to live. He was recommended for the Military Medal. In 1946 he also starred in a short film titled "He Chased The Chicken". He was also meant to appear in the movie "The Overlanders" with Chips Rafferty, but was unable to obtain leave from the army at the time.
After the war was over and he had recovered from his injuries, he set about forming one of the largest ever travelling rodeo tent shows Australia has ever seen. He toured the length and breath of the country with this road show, being the first Australian entertainer to take a full road show on tour through the northern territory and far north Queensland. He blazed the trail for many artists to follow down through the years, visiting the isolated communities in the outback
Outback
The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".-Overview:The outback is home to a...
. He eventually wound back his rodeo and tent show after many years and then toured for 11 months of the year every year with the Buddy Williams Variety Show, visiting the isolated towns and communities of the bush preferring to steer clear of the large cities. For this he earned the respect of country Australians and was a special favourite amongst the Aboriginal people who's isolated communities he regularly performed at throughout the outback. Though he mainly performed in the country towns, he did a number of shows through the years in major cities. During 1940 he played the Theatre Royal in Sydney alongside Roy Rene and Evie Hayes. He also did an 8 week stint at Brisbane's Theatre Royal. In 1973 he played Sydney's Horden Pavilion for the UNICEF concert alongside American big name acts such as Tex Ritter and Wanda Jackson.
Despite the constant touring over the years he continued to record right up until he died in 1986. In fact his last recordings were made just months before his death, despite the fact at the time he was very sick with the cancer that would eventually take his life. He was one of the last Australian singers who only used a guitar as accompaniment. His recordings from 1942 through to 1945 are considered by many good judges to be the finest ever recordings of a vocalist and guitarist. Around 1965 he moved over to RCA records where he became a Gold Record recording artist, and recorded a large number of albums, the last album he recorded in 1986 released after his death. In 1977 he was added to the Country Music Roll of Renown along with Tex Morton and Smokey Dawson and in 1980 won the first ever Heritage Award at the Tamworth Country Music Awards for his song "What A Dreary Old World It Would Be".
Harold (Buddy) Williams was buried on the 17/12/1986 aged 68 years. He is buried at Lutwyche Cemetery, Gympie Road, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in Monumental grave Portion 10, Section 73A, Grave Number 14. Buddy is buried with Grace Mary Williams who was buried on 06/02/1995, and one year old Dorita Carolyn Williams who was buried 03/12/1948. The three are buried very close to the northern side of the War Grave Commission site.
During the late 1970s, Buddy Williams was the subject of a documentary titled "The Last Of The Fair Dinkum Outback Entertainers", narrated by his good mate John Singleton. A number of artists have recorded Buddy Williams songs including, Rick and Thel Carey who recorded an album of his songs. The Le Garde Twins who toured with Buddy also recorded a number of his songs, Rex Dallas, Slim Dusty, Nev Nichols, Lindsay Butler and more recently Ashley Cook who recorded a whole album of Buddy's songs. During the 1970s US country Music superstar Wilf Carter also recorded a number of Buddy Williams songs on an album of Australian songs. A number of tribute songs have been recorded by many artists including John Williamson who's song "The Last Of The Pioneers" is a fitting tribute to Buddy and his enormous contribution to Australian music. In the early 1970s he gave a young kid with a big guitar a start in his band. He would end up touring with Buddy for a number of years and was a regular session musician for Buddy down through the years. The young kid was none other than the great Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanual.
The Australian Music Industry owes a lot to Buddy Williams, though many modern artists may know little of him or have no idea of the impact he had on their careers by what he did during those early pioneering days of the Australian Recording and Entertainment Industry. Those early pioneering recording sessions in primitive conditions produced some of the finest singer / guitarist music ever recorded anywhere, timeless recordings that will live on forever. From the hardships he endured through to the personal tragedies he and his family suffered on the road, he continued to take his music to the people no matter where and no matter how isolated the communities were. He opened up many of the touring circuits that are now regular touring routes for not only Country artists but also artists from other styles of music. Although when people talk of Australian Country Music the name Slim Dusty always comes to mind, even though Slim was more popular especially amongst the city based country music fans, there are many other country music fans who will hear of no other King Of Australian Country Music than Buddy Williams.
Discography
REGAL ZONOPHONE RECORDINGS: COLUMBIA STUDIOS, HOMEBUSH SYDNEY:07/09/1939:
That Dapple Grey Bronco Of Mine /
They Call Me The Rambling Yodeller (G 23854) /
Lonesome For You Mother Dear /
Give A Little Credit To Your Dad (G 23855) /
The Orphan's Lament /
My Moonlight Lullaby (G 23856)
14/05/1940:
Happy Jackaroo/ /
Dreaming Of My Mother (G 24026) /
A Cowboy's Life Is Good Enough For Me /
Under The Old Wattle Tree (G 24027) /
The Australian Bushman's Yodel /
There's An Empty Bunk In The Bunkhouse (G 24028)
25/11/1940:
The Shearer's Goodbye /
Memories Of Home (G 24187) /
The Newsboy's Message /
Going Home (G 24221) /
The Wandering Gambler /
Happy Cowboys (G 24326)
14/11/1941:
Headin' For The Warrick Rodeo /
Can A Black Sheep Be Forgiven (G 24382) /
The Crepe Upon The Little Cabin Door /
The Maple On The Hill (G 24409) /
When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming ** /
Let's Grow Old Together ** (G 24482)
NOTE: ** Duet With Bernie Burnett.
20/11/1941:
The Dying Soldier's Prayer /
I'll Be Back Never Fear (G 24506) /
The Face On The Bar Room Floor /
Wingie The Railway Cop (G 24545) /
Down By The Old Beaten Trail /
The Australian Hillbilly (G 24554)
18/05/1942:
What A Pal My Mother Might Have Been To Me /
Where The White Faced Cattle Roam (G 24596) /
My Pretty Quadroon /
Wonder Valley (G 24632) /
Blazin' The Trail /
A Mother's Plea (G 24670)
22/12/1943:
Where The Roly Poly Grass Rolls O'er The Plain /
Music In My Pony's Feet (G 24822) /
Stockmen In Uniform ** /
Sunny Australian Sweetheart ** (G 24851) /
Ridin' Home At Sundown /
Bushland Of My Dreams (G 24883)
NOTE: ** Duet With Bernie Burnett.
16/03/1945:
Brown Eyed Sweetheart Of Mine ## /
The Bushman's Rodeo ## (G 24929) /
The Drover's Song /
Where The Lazy Murray River Rolls Along ## (G 24947) /
Bushland Paradise ## /
Rhythm In The Saddle (G 24963) ##
NOTE: ## Duet With Lenore Miller.
19/09/1946:
The Overlander Trail /
Over Hill Top And Hollow (G 25052) /
Riding Down The Valley /
The Mountain Barbecue (G 25069) /
Chain Lightning The Outlaw /
The Orphan Boy And His Dog (G 25078)
25/03/1948:
Down The Old Bush Track /
Pioneering Days (G25224) /
The Stockman And The Outlaw /
My Sunny Southern Home (G 25237) /
The Chicken Song (G 25218)
23/04/1948:
Eureka (G 25218)
21/09/1950:
Dear Old Aussie Blues /
Beneath The Queensland Moon (G 25284) /
Riding Down The Wallaby Trail /
Always Call Me Darling (G 25286) /
My Darling River Rose /
Little Jackeroo (G 25287)
18/06/1951:
Wedding Bells /
Murrumbidgee Blues /
The Black Sheep /
Freight Train Blues /
I'm Gonna Tear Down The Mailbox /
Beyond The Setting Sun
30/10/1951:
The Flying Doctor /
A Mother As Lovely As You /
There's Another Angel In Heaven /
Too Many Parties And Too Many Pals /
I Can't Stand Sitting In A Cell /
Gambling Polka Dot Blues
COLUMBIA RECORDING STUDIO SESSIONS, 301 CASTLEREAGH ST, SYDNEY
18/11/1952:
Too Old To Cut The Mustard /
Back Street Affair /
My Mother Must Have Been A Girl Like You /
I Love You A Thousand Ways /
Christmas Bells /
Dear Old Dorrigo /
Somebody's Stolen My Honey /
Blue Since You've Been Gone
03/07/1953:
Death Of Hank Williams /
Missing In Action /
Pentridge Jail /
Spirit Of Progress /
I Can't Forget My Memories /
Swagman's Friend /
The Old Sundowner /
Australia's Kitty Grill
02/10/1953:
Honeymoon On A Rocket Ship /
The Ring /
The Blacksheep's Return To The Fold /
The Kelly Gang /
In Daddy's Footsteps /
I'd Rather Have A Pony Than A Girl
22/06/1955:
I've Mortgaged The Farm Again /
Sailor Boy /
Away Out On The Plain /
Ben Hall The Bushranger /
Busy Buzzin' Round /
A Yellow Dog's Love /
There's Sunshine On My Side Of The Street /
She Left Me For The Joys Of Gold
05/10/1956:
It Sure Makes You Wonder, Don't It? /
Christmas Boogie /
Rocky Roundup Show /
Our Wedding /
Little Red Bonnet /
Kings Cross Boogie /
Answer To Missing In Action /
The Ringer /
Mareeba Rodeo /
Poison Darts /
Mummy Didn't Tuck Me Into Bed Last Night /
Lest We Forget
29/08/1958:
Flynn Of The Inland /
My Dream Of Hank And Jimmie /
I'll Stroll Down Memory Lane With You /
Don't Forget Me Little Darling /
The Prisoner's Song /
On An Ocean Of Broken Dreams /
In The Doghouse /
Bowlegged Stockman
18/09/1959:
Hank, It Will Never Be The Same Without You /
Aren't I Lucky /
Rocking Alone In An Old Rocking Chair /
Rhythm Of The Roundup /
Polling Day /
Dave Sands
24/03/1960:
Anybody's Lover /
The Nightmare /
Christmas Blues /
What's The Use /
The Snowy Mountains /
Ten Years
22/09/1960:
Under Western Skies /
When The Cactus Is In Bloom /
The Panther /
The Spice Of Life /
My Sleepy Valley Home /
Roley
01/12/1961:
Mother Went A-Walking /
Crazy /
I Went Home To Mother /
Teardrops /
Journey's End /
01/12/1962:
Gonna Ride Till The Sun Goes Down /
Rocking Cowboy /
True Friends Are So Few /
My Sleepy Valley Home (Recut)
20/05/1963:
Please Light The darkness For Me /
Ive Forgotton How To Cry /
Snow On The Mountain /
Back To Alice Springs /
When Jesus Calls /
The Cross Of Jesus /
The Rules Of Love (not released until 1979) /
Horse Teams (not released until 1979)
26/02/1964:
Way Up North /
Pal Of My Heart /
I'm Moving Out /
Pretty Girl /
I've Been Around /
A Letter To Slim
EMI / COLUMBIA ALBUMS:
BUDDY WILLIAMS SINGS JIMMY RODGERS (1962) 330SX 7665. NOTE: This album was re released at a later date under the same name except with different album cover artwork. Columbia OEX 9659.'
Moonlight And Skies (08/01/1962) /
Mother Was A Lady (08/01/1962) /
For The Sake Of Days Gone By (08/01/1962) /
Gambling Polka Dot Blues (30/10/1951) /
Daddy And Home (08/01/1962) /
My Old Pal (09/01/1962) /
Dear Old Sunny South By The Sea (08/01/1962) /
Hobo Bill's Last Ride (09/01/1962) /
Mother, The Queen Of My Heart (10/01/1962) /
When The Cactus Is In Bloom (22/09/1960) /
She Was happy Till She Met You (09/01/1962) /
Nobody Knows But Me (09/01/1962)
BUDDY WILLIAMS SINGS OUTBACK BALLADS: (19??) 330SX 7644
Where The Roly Poly Grass Rolls O'er The Plain (22/12/1943) /
Rhythm In The Saddle ## (16/3/1945) /
Music In My Pony's Feet (22/12/1943) /
The Flying Doctor (30/10/1951) /
Pioneering Days (25/3/1948) /
Where The White Faced Cattle Roam (18/5/1942) /
The Bushman's Rodeo ## (16/3/1945) /
My Sunny Southern Home (25/3/1948) /
The Swagman's Friend (3/7/1953) /
The Stockman And The Outlaw (25/3/1948) /
The Drover's Song (16/3/1045) /
The Cowboy's Life Is Good Enough For Me (14/5/1940)
NOTE: ## Duet with Lenore Miller.
The following re release compilation albums were made possible by the use of original 78rpm records, from the collection of record collector and music historian Ray Faulks. He also provided detailed cover notes with a description of each song on the album.
BUDDY WILLIAMS "I'LL STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH YOU": (1978) EMI EMB.10402
(They Call Me) The Rambling Yodeller (7/9/1939) /
Let's Grow Old Together ** (7/7/1941) /
The Cowboy's Life Is Good Enough For Me (14/5/1940) /
Where The White Faced Cattle Roam (18/5/1942) /
The Australian Hillbilly (20/11/1941) /
Overlander Trail (13/9/1939) /
Music In My Pony's Feet (22/12/1943) /
Happy Cowboys (25/11/1940) /
Little Red Bonnet (5/10/1956) /
I'll Stroll Down Memory Lane With You (29/8/1958) /
My Sleepy Valley Home (24/5/1962, not released until May 1978) /
The Rules Of Love (20/5/1963, not released until May 1978 due to copyright issues) /
Back To Alice Springs (20/5/1963) /
Horse Teams (24/5/1962, not released until May 1978 due to copyright issues) /
NOTE: ** Duet with Bernie Burnett.
BUDDY WILLIAMS "BUSHLAND OF MY DREAMS": (1979) EMI EMB.10441
Happy Jackaroo (14.5.1940) /
Brown-Eyed Sweetheart Of Mine ## (16.3.1945) /
Dear Old Dorrigo (18/11/1952) /
When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming ** (20/11/1941) /
Murrumbidgee Blues (18/6/1951) /
Down By The Old Beaten Trail (20/11/1941) /
Where The Lazy Murray River Rolls Along ## (16/3/1945) /
Riding Home At Sundown (22/12/1943) /
Under The Old Wattle Tree (14/5/1040) /
Bushland Of My Dreams (22/12/1943) /
Beneath The Queensland Moon (21/9/1950) /
Sunny Australian Sweetheart ** (22/12/1943) /
Little Jackaroo (21/9/1950) /
My Moonlight Lullaby (7/9/1939)
NOTE: ** Duet with Bernie Burnett. / ## Duet with Lenore Miller.
BUDDY WILLIAMS "BLAZIN' THE TRAIL": (1983) EMI EMB.10509
Blazin' The Trail (18/5/1942) /
Poison Darts (5/10/1956) /
The Shearer's Goodbye (25/11/1940) /
The Dying Soldier's Prayer (20/11/1941) /
The Swagman's Friend (3/7/1953) /
Stockmen In Uniform ** (22/12/1943) /
The Drover's Song (16/3/1945) /
Headin' For The Warwick Rodeo (14/11/1941) /
The Spirit Of Progress (3/7/1953) /
That Dapple Grey Bronco Of mine (7/9/1939) /
Wonder Valley (18/5/1942) /
The Flying Doctor (30/10/1951) /
Rhythm In The Saddle ## (16/3/1945) /
Memories Of Home (25/11/1940)
NOTE: ** Duet with Bernie Burnett. / ## Duet with Lenore Miller.
BUDDY WILLIAMS "OVER HILLTOP AND HOLLOW": (1985) EMI AX 701217
Lonesome For You Mother Dear (7/9/1939) /
The Australian Bushman's Yodel (14/5/1940) /
Over Hilltop And Hollow (13/9/1946) /
There' Another Angel In Heaven (30/10/1951) /
Honeymoon On A Rocket Ship (2/10/1953) /
Back Street Affair (18/11/1952) /
Where The Roly Poly Grass Rolls O'er The Plain (22/12/1943) /
Kings Cross Boogie (5/10/1956) /
Christmas Bells (18/11/1952) /
The Crepe Upon The Little Cabin Door (14/7/1941) /
Our Wedding (5/10/1956) /
Freight Train Blues (18/6/1951) /
Too Old To Cut The Mustard (18/11/1952) /
I'll Be Back Never Fear (20/11/1941)
THE IMMORTAL BUDDY WILLIAMS "AWAY OUT ON THE PLAIN": (1987) EMI AX 701370
The Old Sundowner (3/7/1953) /
Australia's Kitty Gill (3/7/1953) /
Away Out On The Plain (22/6/1955) /
A Yellow Dog's Love (22/6/1955) /
Mareeba Rodeo (5/10/1956) /
Pioneering Days (25/3/1948) /
The Wandering Gambler (25/11/1940) /
I'd Rather Have A Pony Than A Girl (2/10/1953) /
Wingie The Railway Cop (20/11/1941) /
The Kelly Gang (2/10/1953) /
Bushland Paradise ## (16/3/1945) /
The Ringer (5/10/1956) /
Chain Lightning The Outlaw (13/9/1946) /
Going Home (25/11/1940)
NOTE: ## Duet with Lenore Miller.
To Be Continued.....
A large number of 45 rpm singles and at least two Extended Play 45 rpm E.P.'s were released by EMI over the years, of previously released recordings from 78 rpm Gramaphone records. These were released under the EMI Columbia label.
EMI: EXTENDED PLAY 45 RPM.
WEDDING BELLS: (1951) EMI SEGO 70035
When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming **(14/11/1941) / Let's Grow Old Together **(14/11/1041) / Wedding Bells (18/6/1951) / Murrumbidgee Blues (18/6/1951)
NOTE: ** Duet with Bernie Burnett.
THE KELLY GANG: (1957) EMI SEGO 70047
The Blacksheep's Return To The Fold (2/10/1953) /
The Kelly Gang (2/10/1953) /
Mareeba Rodeo (5/10/1956) /
Poisoned Darts (5/10/1956)
EMI COMPACT DISK (CD) RELEASES:
BUDDY WILLIAMS "UNDER WESTERN SKIES"