The McKean Sisters – Joy and Heather – are more well known these days for their individual careers in the music industry, in Joy’s case, as one of Australia’s leading and award-winning songwriters, and, in Heather’s case, a singer and award-winning recording artist.

Joy and Heather McKean grew up in a musical family which nurtured their talent in such a way that the girls were performing on stage and radio by the ages of 10 and eight respectively.

In 1949, they began presenting their own country music radio show from 2KY in Sydney and, by 1951, were recording for the now legendary Rodeo Records.

The McKean Sisters gave us country classics like The Gymkhana Yodel, Yodel Down The Valley and The Morning Mail.

In 1953, Joy and Heather started pursuing solo careers, and also became two of Australia's most successful managers, working closely with their respective spouses Slim Dusty and Reg Lindsay.

In 1983, The McKean Sisters became the eighth pioneering Australian country music act to be elevated to the Country Music Roll of Renown.

The tribute dinner to Joy and Heather was held at Gregory’s Function Centre at the All Settlers Motor Inn in Tamworth, Country Music Capital, on Friday night, January 26, 2007.

All proceeds from the dinner – including a silent auction which ran through the evening – went towards establishment of Australia’s new Country Music Hall of Fame building.

If you would like to receive an invitation to the next dinner, click here to email a request.