1. John Lewis Ashcroft FAIHA was an Australian country music and folk entertainer, singer, songwriter, and musician, who recorded pop, skiffle, jazz, and disco as his alter ego, the Baron.
18 Facts About Johnny Ashcroft
1. 2.
Johnny Ashcroft was married to fellow performer Gay Kayler, with whom he recorded on numerous occasions.
3.
In 1954, Johnny Ashcroft laid down his first commercial recordings, six 78rpm sides for Rodeo Records.
4.
Johnny Ashcroft was the first Australian country artist to appear on Australian TV.
5.
In 1956, as the Australian Broadcasting Commission began transmitting from its tiny Arcon Studio at Gore Hill, Sydney, Johnny Ashcroft wrote and sang the show's title theme, Crazy Cross.
6.
Johnny Ashcroft performed in the show, which was set in Sydney's King's Cross, with actor Gordon Chater serving as its anchorman.
7.
In 1957, Johnny Ashcroft recorded Gordon Parsons's, A Pub with No Beer with Graeme Bell.
8.
Johnny Ashcroft was found alive and well four days later.
9.
At the height of Little Boy Lost's success, Johnny Ashcroft withdrew his recording from airplay out of consideration for the family of 8-year old Graeme Thorne, the victim of Australia's first kidnapping.
10.
Johnny Ashcroft recorded a new version of Little Boy Lost with Gay Kayler, which was played at the end.
11.
Johnny Ashcroft made a fleeting cameo appearance as one of the exhausted searchers by the camp fire.
12.
Johnny Ashcroft was the first country artist in Australia to have Gold Records presented on stage, when three were bestowed simultaneously before a live audience in Tamworth, in 1971.
13.
Also in 1975, Johnny Ashcroft wrote Australia's first female trucking song, My Home-Coming Trucker's Coming Home, for Gay Kayler to record.
14.
In 1989, the milestone historical album, The Cross of the Five Silver Stars, featuring Johnny Ashcroft, Gay Kayler, Bettybo and their musical director, Rob Davis, was a finalist for the Heritage Award in Tamworth's Australasian Country Music Awards.
15.
Johnny Ashcroft combined a major part of his career with Australian country music star, Gay Kayler, whom he married in 1981.
16.
Johnny Ashcroft was awarded the Medal of the Order Of Australia in 1991 for his contribution to the Arts, the entertainment industry and Indigenous social justice.
17.
Johnny Ashcroft was influential in establishing country music in this substantial market'.
18.
Johnny Ashcroft received the first Country Male Entertainer Mo Award in 1979.