ALBUM RELEASED OCTOBER 28

A Truly Australian Soundtrack

Shared by his wife Joy McKean – these are the songs and lyrics by Australia’s country music legend, Slim Dusty.

A brand new CD compilation inspired by the new book of the same name, written by Slim Dusty’s song co-writer and wife…the remarkable Joy McKean. The album features a collection of Slim and Joy’s own compositions (many lesser known), songs they wrote and songs which held a very special and meaningful place in both their hearts and in Joy’s memories.

The lyrics of these 25 unique Slim and Joy songs capture the stories about the many places they visited together, the real characters they met, the old town halls and old showgrounds they played and about a life on the road together.

While the album predominately features Slim’s recordings, also included are two tracks from Anne Kirkpatrick (Joy & Slim’s daughter) and one classic track recorded by the pioneering Aussie country duo The McKean Sisters (featuring Joy with her sister Heather).

Slim Dusty, one of Australia’s most prolific recording artist has sold well over 7 million albums and is still recognised as one of biggest selling recording artists ever in Australia.

Slim passed away on September 19, 2003.

www.slimdusty.com.au

The Book: “I’ve Been There (and Back Again)” by Joy McKean

Through the lyrics of their much loved songs, Joy McKean takes readers into the life she shared at home, on the stage and on the road with her husband, country music legend Slim Dusty. Married for more than 50 years, Slim and Joy toured all over Australia singing, writing and performing.

I’VE BEEN THERE (AND BACK AGAIN) will include many never seen before photographs from Slim and Joy’s own family albums and also an extensive range by the internationally acclaimed photographer John Elliott, who has been photographing Slim and Joy, their band and family for decades.

Including many lyrics from the iconic songs they sang together, Joy reminisces about each song – who, how, when and where they were. The bush ballads and the bush life are recounted in detail as Joy tells of an Australian way of life that is almost gone. From the old showgrounds of the 1950s to the grand theatres of the big cities, the old-time music halls of country Australia and some of the most remote areas of the continent. This is a country music love affair.

Joy has been awarded six Golden Guitars for her song writing, and her skills as a writer and storyteller shine in this beautiful book.

The book will be released by Hachette Australia on October 25^th 2011.