Pioneering country music singer-songwriter, Buddy Williams (1918-1986), was born Harry Taylor in Newtown, Sydney and soon taken to an orphanage. From there he was put into foster care and treated as an unpaid labourer.

During visits with neighbours, Williams heard recordings of American Jimmy Rodgers and was captivated.

He ran away at 15, learned to play guitar and took up busking.

Buddy Williams began recording his music in 1938. He was the first Australian to solo record country music in Australia.


In 1939, Williams enlisted in the Australian Army and was seriously wounded towards the end of the war.

After he recovered, Williams set up a travelling rodeo tent show. Then he toured for most of the year with the Buddy Williams Variety Show, performing primarily in country towns but occasionally in big cities.