SYDNEY, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Herbert "Smoky" Dawson, the country music legend known as "Australia's first cowboy," died after a short illness at age 94.
A spokeswoman for the Australian Country Music Foundation said Dawson had been sick for about six days before dying Wednesday in Sydney, the Melbourne Herald Sun reported Thursday.
Dawson's first recording was "I Am A Happy Go Lucky Cowhand" in 1942 and he had his own national radio show from 1952-1962. He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005. A DVD featuring new performances was completed this month.
Dawson also taught horse riding on his ranch, and was known for his yodeling, whip cracking, knife throwing and acting.
"It is a very sad day, but I have to say that Smoky brought a lot of joy to a lot of people for many years," Philip Mortlock, managing director of Origin Records, Dawson's record label, said told Sky News. "While it is a sad day, his passing for me, I think it's time to celebrate a great life and a great man.''
Dawson is survived by his wife Dot, who turns 102 this year.
