Rick and Thel Carey

Rick and Thel Carey were an Australian country music duo, consisting of husband and wife Richard Bruce Carey (13 August 1927 – 28 July 2017) and Thelma Claurine Carey (née Hoctor; 9 October 1929 – 2 October 1998).[1][2]

Rick and Thel Carey
Also known asThe Sliprail Swingsters
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
GenresCountry
Years active1947 (1947)–1987 (1987)
Labels
Past members
  • Richard Carey
  • Thelma Carey

Rick Carey, originally from Sydney and Thelma Hoctor, who grew up in Glossodia, commenced their respective careers as solo artists. However, after they met in the 1940s, they established themselves as a duo, the Sliprail Swingsters.[1][2] Following their win on Australia's Amateur Hour in 1950, they married in 1952 and became Rick and Thel.[3] They toured Australia extensively, and were referred to as country music's "singing sweethearts" and then as "Mr. & Mrs. Country".[2]

In 1969, their concert at Bourke was marred by the crowd's poor behaviour during their performance.[4] Rick said he had never played in front of such a poorly behaved crowd and would impose stricter conditions of entry for future concerts; he considered reducing audience numbers to ensure the enjoyment of attendees.[4]

They had a successful recording career with record labels Regal Zonophone Records, which became EMI, and then in later years with Hadley Records. Their popular songs include "She Was Happy Til She Met You", "I'll Never Be Fooled Again", "Looking Back to See", "You Can Say That Again", "White Crosses in the Jungle", "You Thought I Thought", "Rusted Love", "Fourteen Red Roses for Jenny", "He's a... She's a..." and "I'll Take the Dog".[1][2]

After 35 years of touring and performing throughout Australia as Rick and Thel, they retired in 1987 and settled on a property near Denmark, Western Australia, when Thel became ill.[5] Thel Carey died on 2 October 1998.[2]

Following Thel's death, Rick was active in a local country music club in Denmark, becoming its patron in 2001.[5] Despite moving to Brisbane in 2005, Rick continued in his role as the club's patron.[5] In 2007, Rick released another album, Beyond the Dream.[6] It featured other country music artists as guests along with his daughter, Lynne. Rick Carey died on 28 July 2017.[5]

Legacy

In 1977, Rick and Thel were part of the first group of Australian country performers to have their hands imprinted into the new Australian Country Music "Hands of Fame" monument in Tamworth.[7]

The Australian Roll of Renown honours Australians and New Zealanders who have shaped the music industry by making a significant and lasting contribution to Country Music. It was inaugurated in 1976 where each inductee is announced at the Country Music Awards of Australia in Tamworth in January.[8][9][10]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1985 Rick and Thel Carey Australian Roll of Renown inductee

There are wax figures of Rick and Thel in the Gallery of Stars Wax Museum within the Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre, Tamworth, which was officially opened in 1988.[11]

References
  1. "Rick Carey". National Portrait Gallery. 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  2. Rick & Thel Carey (Biographical sign board in Gallery of Stars Wax Museum). Tamworth, New South Wales: Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre. 1988.
  3. "Vale - Rick Carey". Country Music Bulletin. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  4. Lewis, Norm (3 October 1969). "Bad behaviour casts reflection on good name of Bourke". Western Herald. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  5. Vivian, Geoff (18 August 2017). "Country music pioneer farewelled". Great Southern Weekender.
  6. Nutting, John (23 March 2007). "Rick Carey on Saturday Night Country". ABC North Queensland. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  7. "Australian Country Music Hands of Fame". History of Country Music in Australia. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  8. "Roll of Renown". Tamworth Country Music Festival. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  9. "Australasian Country Music Awards". The Canberra Times. 28 January 1985.
  10. Bell, Graham (10 August 2020). "Rick Carey... honoured with the Roll of Renown in 1985". Country Music Interviews with Graham Bell. Buzzsprout. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  11. "Gallery of Stars Wax Museum". Tamworth Country Music Festival. 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
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