Mick Antonio

Born in Smysdale (near Ballarat) in 1920. He began singing and yodeling at 16 in shows around the local area. He then served in the Army from 1940 to 1946 then in 1947 he went to Sydney and auditioned for EMI and was told he need to tour before they would record him. As he had a young family touring was not possible. Entered the Australia’s Amateur Hour and on the second attempt he topped the poll then starting to perform around the central areas of Victoria with a 12 month program on 3CV Radio, Maryborough. In 1959 he released his first recording, a six track EP on Planet Records then in 1963 and 1965 released EPs on W & G. Inducted into the Australian Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2008, but passed away on the 14th April 2009.