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Australia has a long tradition of country music , which has developed a style quite distinct from its U.S. counterpart. Waltzing Matilda , often regarded as Australia's unofficial National anthem , is a quintessential Australian country song, influenced more by Celtic folk ballads than by American Country and Western music. This strain of Australian country music, with lyrics focusing on strictly Australian subjects, is generally known as "bush music" or "bush band music".
Another, more Americanized form of Australian country music was pioneered in the 1930s by such recording artists as Tex Morton, and later popularized by Slim Dusty , best remembered for his 1957 song "A Pub With No Beer". In recent years local contemporary country music, featuring much crossover with popular music , has enjoyed considerable popularity in Australia.
Country music has also been a particularly popular form of musical expression among the Australia n Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Indigenous country music is in evidence at The Deadlys , a celebration of indigenous musicians and their music.