History Mike Jackson (Australian entertainer)

1 history

1.1 years
1.2 1972
1.3 1973
1.4 1974
1.5 1975
1.6 1976
1.7 1979
1.8 1980s
1.9 1993
1.10 2013
1.11 2015 australia day honours

history
early years

melbourne-based jackson (born in fishtoft, nearboston, lincolnshire, uk) immigrated australia in 1970 assisted migrant wife, lynn on board p & o ship, ss himalaya.

the pair settled in sydney suburb of mosman , there, @ elizabeth hotel folk club in centre of town rediscovered folk music jackson had grown through grandfather’s singing , playing.

having taught himself harmonica in high school , acquired taste comic songs grandfather , radio, branched out onto other instruments , acquired reputation being able tune out of anything.

1972

in 1972 pair moved sydney canberra jackson’s work salesman , interest in folk music grew began regularly playing @ sessions , singing , playing @ folk clubs. same year jackson performed first professional gig @ dan o’connell hotel in melbourne suburb of carlton.

1973

jackson began hosting , presenting radio programme lark in morning on canberra public radio station 2xx fm, programme continues run day. during time founded pageant.

1974

1974 year jackson cemented status recording artist , regular radio show host. performed first solo performance @ national folk festival, performed backing musician on larrikin records album man of earth, , pageant released eponymous album of unaccompanied harmony songs.

1975

jackson founded higgins municipal bush band, consisted of 3 of pageant’s members. often, concert, dances , festivals feature both solo performances band members plus items 2 bands.

1976

pageant gave last performance @ 1976 national folk festival. using advice mentor alex hood, art’s council grant tour 13 regional schools , full diary of bookings, jackson resigned position area sales manager , became full-time professional musician/entertainer.

1979

in 1979, jackson met michelle freeman on stage @ kapunda celtic music festival , married.

1980s

in 1980, while looking australian songs first album kids, jackson wrote first song: bondi tram . written on paper tray mat @ 2am in cold motel room in sydney suburb of miranda. during same year , inspired british album funny family, mike , michelle jackson recorded first children s album bunyips, bunnies , brumbies, album went gold.

they toured australia, new zealand, canada , u.s. non-stop 7 years. during time, featured in national tv show (playmates on abc television), created 3 songbooks, co-wrote instruction book string figure novices , recorded ten albums, second, playmates going platinum , rest of first 4 kids disks going gold in australia. had 2 north american releases, bunyips, bunnies , brumbies , playmates, released in canada on sharon, lois , bram s elephant records label, distributed a&m records. in 1986 pair went separate ways.

1993

finalist aria award best children s album.

2013

received 2013 national folk festival, lifetime achievement award.

festival director, sebastian flynn read out preamble before presenting award jackson: established award national folk festival lifetime achievement award. awarded artist of long-standing or lifetime contribution enriching culture of folk music , arts in australia, ongoing contribution national folk festival. inaugural recipient in 2013 worthy awardee on both of these counts , has been unique example in nurturing talents , enthusiasm folk music in young people on many years. has travelled length , breadth of australia being wonderful ambassador australian folk music during extensive travels overseas. said have played live more children wiggles , generous performer connects people of ages , walks of life.

2015 australia day honours

presented medal of order of australia (oam) in general division.

the citation read: mr mike jackson, 17 rayleigh avenue, queenscliff vic 3225. service performing arts musician, composer , entertainer.