He’s known universally as Australia’s King of Country, and it’s a title to which Slim Dusty can lay an unchallenged claim.
Slim Dusty has been recognized not only for his music but also for his role in documenting Australia’s unique spirit and history through song, as well as his contributions to Australian culture and society. He received both an MBE and an Order of Australia, was chosen as an Australian National Living Treasure by public vote, and in 1999 was named both Australia’s Father of the Year and the inaugural Senior Australian of the Year.
During his lifetime, Slim released more than a hundred albums, selling over seven million records and earning more than 70 gold and platinum album certifications. Running through this unparalleled catalogue is a rich seam of common themes, with Slim Dusty’s songs about trucking being particularly prominent.
Gone Truckin’ collects 24 such songs about trucking – drawn from all eras of Slim’s illustrious and prolific recording career. The album highlights well-known classics like ‘Dieseline Dreams’ and Joy McKean’s ‘Lights On The Hill’ alongside hidden gems such as ‘Three Hundred Horses’ and ‘The Lady Is A Truckie’. It evokes the rich lyrical imagery and powerful storytelling that are Slim Dusty’s trademark.
In 1997, Slim Dusty embarked on a memorable journey across the Nullarbor Plain, driving a T900 Kenworth road train under the guidance of Keith Thompson from Thompson Transport. Slim felt there was no better way of getting into the spirit for his new truck album ‘Makin A Mile’ than to travel across the Nullarbor Plain in a big road train. The song ‘Haulin’ for the Double T’ honours Keith and his transport company and was one of many songs inspired by the trip. The T900 Kenworth Slim drove has since become a cherished piece of history, now honoured in the Kenworth Dealer Hall of Fame in Alice Springs.
Presented in a full-colour 12″ sleeve featuring new original artwork from acclaimed artist and designer Dave Homer, and pressed onto 2 x 180 gram Eucalypt Green vinyl discs, this collection is a must-have for Slim Dusty fans.
Paying tribute to truckies and their vital role in keeping Australia moving Gone Truckin’ will be released on Friday, October 4th, leading up to the Lights On the Hill Memorial Convoy weekend at Gatton QLD on October 5th and also the service at the Australian Truck Drivers Memorial Wall at Tarcutta NSW on October 28th. Both of these events honour and remember truck drivers who have lost their lives whilst driving or working.
Gone Truckin’ follows Gone Fishin’ – an ARIA #11 album in 2021 – as the next release in the series of thematic albums from Slim Dusty.
Gone Truckin’
The Lights On The Hill
Mechanised Swaggie
Star Trucker
Under The Spell Of Highway One
Boomaroo Flyer
Pushin’ Time
Dieseline Dreams
I’m Married To My Bulldog Mack
Something In The Pilliga
No Good Truckin’ Man
Road Train Blues
Haulin’ For The Double ‘T’
Gotta Keep Movin’
Truckin’s In My Blood
Angel Of Goulburn Hill
Bent-Axle Bob
My Dad Was A Roadtrain Man
Kelly’s Offsider
Three Hundred Horses
Billinudgel
Rolling Down The Road
The Lady Is A Truckie
Long Black Road
Sally (The Girl On Channel 8)