Australian country music is a part of the
music of Australia. There is a broad range of styles, from
bluegrass, to
yodeling to
folk to the more popular. The genre has been influenced by Celtic and English folk music, by the traditions of
Australian bush balladeers, as well as by popular
American country music. Themes include:
outback life, the lives of
stockmen,
truckers and
outlaws, songs of romance and of political protest; and songs about the "beauty and the terror" of the Australian bush. Early pioneers included
Slim Dusty,
Smoky Dawson (
MBE), (
OAM),
Tex Morton and
Buddy Williams all members of the Australasian Roll Of Renown.