Rex Dallas

Rex Dallas (born November 1938) is an award-winning Australian country musician, singer, songwriter, yodeller and bush balladeer. His albums also include selections of horse songs, war songs, mother songs and even one on the theme of coalmining.

Early life

Dallas was born in Wallerawang, a small mining town near Lithgow NSW. Dallas inherited a love of bush poetry through a close friendship with his grandfather, who regularly read poems to him.

Career

Dallas first appeared on local radio 2LT Lithgow, at the age of 15. One year later, he relocated to Sydney. He later toured with Lee Gordon and made his first single 'Bicycle Wreck' for EMI Records in 1960. From the early 1970s, Dallas toured extensively, accompanied by his band, the Dallas Cowboys. In 1981, Dallas featured in a television documentary about his touring show. When not touring with his country show, he regularly entertained at his own venue, Gully Park, in Moonbi, northern NSW.

Discography

Album

• Remembering Those Hillbilly Hits
• Harry Torrani Yodelling Album
• For Valour - Tribute To Anzacs
• Easy Lovin'
• Aussie Yodels
• The Harry Torrani Yodelling Album "Volume Two" (1976)
• Big Old Land (2008)

EP

• The Australian Hot Meat Pie (1973)
• Old Wallerawang (1974)

Single

• Bicycle Wreck / That's My Love (1960)

Compilation

• Greatest Yodelling Hits (1995/Various Artists)

Music Awards

Rex Dallas has won four Golden Guitar awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

• 1975 - Australasian Country Music Awards: Golden Guitar for Best EP Record - "Old Wallerawang"
• 1976 - Australasian Country Music awards: Golden Guitar for Best Male Vocal - "My Lancashire Yodelling Lass"
• 1977 - Inducted into the "Hands of Fame", Tamworth NSW
• 1982 - Australasian Country Music Awards: A.P.R.A. Award for best Australasian composition - "His Spurs are Rusty Now" (Rex & Colin Dallas)
• 1982 - Novocastrian Awards: "Best Country Band"
• 1985 - Novocastrian Awards: "Best Country Band"
• 1987 - Novocastrian Awards: "Best Country Band"
• 1988 - Novocastrian Awards: "Best Country Band"
• 2000 - Inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown

Background

Rex married Adrienne Francis James in 1961. They have four sons - Brett, Colin, Jeffrey and Shannan. In 1989, Dallas purchased “Gully Park” property in Moonbi, near Tamworth NSW. In 2010, they sold "Gully Park" and bought a residence in Manilla NSW.