Irwin's song will be hard - Williamson

24Jan07

COUNTRY music veteran John Williamson says performing Steve Irwin's favourite song will be the hardest part of his Australia Day gig at the Irwin family-owned wildlife park.

The singer-songwriter's show this Friday will mark his return to Australia Zoo's Crocoseum on Queensland's Sunshine Coast following his involvement in Steve Irwin's public memorial service last year.

Williamson today described his 75-minute stint as a "celebration of Australia Day and Steve", featuring a swag of melodies including new tribute song Wildlife Warriors: It's Time and Steve's all-time favourite True Blue.

He said the show would be his third Australia Day performance at the Crocoseum and, sadly, the first since Steve Irwin was fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray's barb in waters off far north Queensland in September last year.

Terri and Bindi Irwin won't be making an appearance as they are holidaying in the United States following their ambassadorial roles in the G'Day USA: Australia Week promotion.

"It will be like an echo of the memorial, I think," Williamson told AAP.

"When I sing True Blue I'm sure there's going to be tears everywhere again and I'll throw his name into the song again like I used to do when he was there - he was such a good Aussie.

"He was always there for Australia Day and we always had a great yarn afterwards - he combined his show with my performance and we'd do it together, he was the ringmaster.

"True Blue - that will be the toughest part of the show when I do it towards the end."

He said he would also perform a song apparently played at the family's private ceremony for Steve, titled A Bushman Can't Survive, as well as Old Man Emu, which the Croc Hunter once recorded with The Wiggles.

"I promised Terri that I'll do Australia Day as long as she wants me to," he said.

"For me to perform at the zoo suits me fine because whenever anyone asks what is Australia Day about or what's Australia about, as far as I'm concerned we're not a great country without the nature."

He said he wrote Wildlife Warriors: It's time on the evening of Steve's memorial service to encourage Australians to "stand up" and protect native bushland.

AAP