Tuesday evening the zoo was given a rare treat. We all watched the new movie Slim and I. The story of Australia’s legendary singer and his wife Joy McKean. Slim was born David Gordon Kirkpatrick 13th June 1927 at Nulla Nulla Creek near Kempsey in New South Wales Australia, the son of a cattle farmer. He adopted his stage name Slim Dusty in 1938 aged 11. He released his first record at 19.

In 1951 Slim married singer song writer Joy McKean. In a career spanning more than 50 years the two wrote dozens of hit songs. Joy wrote “Lights on the Hill”, “The Biggest Disappointment” to name but two. The smash hit “Pub With No Beer’ was actually written by Gordon Parsons.

Algy tells me that Slim also published a Country Gospel Album, “Glory Bound Train” but he cannot find his copy. Slim’s Christian convictions were not covered in the movie. Probably a sad reflection on the troubled times in which you all live. You can listen by clicking the arrow below:

Forget your troubles for a couple of hours and see this movie. It is made from original clips produced to publicise the songs. I was enthralled to hear the stories behind them, and to see first hand the huge land of Australia, including remote Aboriginal missions hardly visited by white men, where Slim and Joy were loved. As a well known media personality said: “Not to see Slim and I is un-Australian!”. So – see it!

Gibber! Gibber!

Chugley

Slim Dusty Fan