Australian country music legend Smoky Dawson has died at the age of 94.
Dawson was born in Collingwood in 1914 but was orphaned at an early age and moved to the Victorian town of Warrnambool.In 1944, he married Florence 'Dot' Cheers. Until his death, the Dawson's were married for 64 years.
The couple travelled to the USA in the 1940's and played at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Smoky became a household celebrity initially as a radio star when his program "The Adventures of Smoky Dawson' was aired around Australia in 1952. The show lasted for 10 years.
In 1978, he was awarded the MBE by Queen Elizabeth II. In 2005, he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
In a statement to mark his passing, the Mayor of Tamworth, Councilor James Treloar spoke from the Country Music Capital, "the loss of Smoky Dawson is a sad day for Tamworth, the Country Music Industry and Australia. Smoky was a treasured icon and legend who brought so much joy to so many, his memory and recordings will live on within country music".
