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Born Herbert Henry Dawson in 1913, he recorded his first album in 1941 and performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, 10 years later.

 Dawson was a natural performer who hosted his own radio show for 10 years and appeared around the country billed as Australia's First Cowboy on his faithful horse Flash.

 His final album, Homestead of My Dreams, was released in 2005 and just weeks ago he released new songs.

 "I reckon I could safely say he's the last of the singing cowboys that had the horse," fellow country singer John Williamson said.

 Dawson, who died in Sydney on Wednesday, is survived by his wife and manager of 64 years, Dot, who is 101.

 Bob Kirchner, the president of the Australian Country Music Foundation, said Dawson's death signalled the end of an era.

 "He would really be the last of the original country music pioneers in Australia," Kirchner said. "He was always seen as a leading light for the industry, and he was certainly a beacon that many of today's country stars followed." //dpa