A journey with David Hudson
Dingo, Richie Walley in the early 80’s and they still remain great friends.
Recording his first cassette as they were known than in 1983, David recorded a solo Yigi Yigi (Didge) tape. The turning point of David’s career was his first overseas trip in 1985 when he was invited to perform in California. “After being there for 6 weeks I realised that the audiences there showed a lot more interest in my culture than fellow Australians. Once I returned home I contacted QLD arts Council and proposed that they employ me to tour schools so that I could perform and educate kids about who we are as Indigenous Aussies. Hence why I call myself an Edu-Trainer.” David explains.
David’s music represents traditional, contemporary and world music, available on Itunes, and music stores globally. “My music transcends many different levels and appeals to many people from didge enthusiasts to everyday folks sometimes being the first time they heard the didgeridoo on these levels.” David says.
In the mid 80’s Mr Hudson toured with Brian Young travelling by road to remote Australia communities. “Back then I got to play with Jimmy Little, meet Col Hardy, Roger Knox, and the old timers like Buddy Williams, Stan Coster, Rick and Thel Carey, Chad Morgan and the
lists go on.”
David has so many milestones in his career such as live performances at Madison Square Gardens in New York, the Taj Mahal in India, the Forbidden City in China and working with Marlon Brando on a movie called The Island of Dr Moreau, where assisted with Choreography and played the Bison Man.
David was also the Co-founder of Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in 1987, now celebrating 30 years on. He currently is not involved. Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in based in Cairns and is the largest Indigenous employer of any tourism enterprise in Australia with more than two-thirds of the team Indigenous.
David’s wok has not gone unrecognised with James Cook University honouring him with an Honorary Doctorate two years ago, and on behalf of QTV 10 in 1990 David hosted a 13-part documentary series and the series won a Logie Award, he also was presented with a Tourism Ambassadors Award for QLD, and the Australian Centennial Award.