Dougie Young
Encyclopedia
Dougie Young was a singer and songwriter from South West Queensland
. Young had a white father and a Gurnu mother.
Earlier in his life he worked as a stockman, during which he learnt the guitar and started writing songs. A riding accident later ended his working as a stockman. In 1963 or 64 Jeremy Beckett, an anthropologist
made field recordings of Young, many of which were released in 1965 as an ep called Land Where the Crow Flies Backwards (Wattle). The title track has since been covered by Gary Shearston
, Athol McCoy and Chad Morgan
. He was recorded twice more, first in Walgett in 1969 and then in Sydney
in 1979 (soon after a report of his death). Songs from these three recordings were released by AIATSIS in 1993 as The Songs of Dougie Young
Young sang "Cut A Rug", a drinking song from his troubadour days in the Wilcannia in the 50s and 60s, in both the SBS documentary and accompanying cd, Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. Young had a white father and a Gurnu mother.
Earlier in his life he worked as a stockman, during which he learnt the guitar and started writing songs. A riding accident later ended his working as a stockman. In 1963 or 64 Jeremy Beckett, an anthropologist
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
made field recordings of Young, many of which were released in 1965 as an ep called Land Where the Crow Flies Backwards (Wattle). The title track has since been covered by Gary Shearston
Gary Shearston
Gary Shearston is an Australian singer and songwriter who was a leading figure of the folk music revival of the 1960s. He is notable as a performer of Australian traditional folk songs in an authentic style...
, Athol McCoy and Chad Morgan
Chad Morgan
Chadwick William "Chad" Morgan is an Australian singer and guitarist known for his vaudeville style of comic country and western songs, his prominent teeth and goofy stage persona. In reference to his first recording he is known as The Sheik of Scrubby Creek.- Biography :Morgan was born in...
. He was recorded twice more, first in Walgett in 1969 and then 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...
in 1979 (soon after a report of his death). Songs from these three recordings were released by AIATSIS in 1993 as The Songs of Dougie Young
Young sang "Cut A Rug", a drinking song from his troubadour days in the Wilcannia in the 50s and 60s, in both the SBS documentary and accompanying cd, Buried Country: The Story of Aboriginal Country Music.
Discography
- Land Where the Crow Flies Backwards (1965) Wattle
- The Songs of Dougie Young (1993) AIATSIS
External links
- Green Left Weekly 11 May 2004 An oral history of the outback
- National Library of Australia Dougie Young sings own folk songs . 1963 recording by Dr. Jeremy Beckett
- National Library of Australia Dougie Young singing. 1979 recording by Glen Vallance