As a co-host of a folk music program on a public radio station in the middle of the USA (Missouri)I try to have a bit of background on the people I feature on my segment of the show. John is one of my favorites to play. Once I played a couple of songs and heard from a local couple who had been driving in their car and happened to catch the songs on their radio. They were astonished to hear him; it seems they had just returned from an extended tour of Australia, and the bus driver had played John Williamson tapes on much of the tour, and here he was on their radio back home!
I have quite a few recordings of Australians, including several albums of Slim Dusty, the Bushwackers, Stanly Costa, Chad Morgan, and the material of "honorary" Aussies Martyn Wyndham-Read and Eric Bogle. I really like the stuff I've heard. It reminds me very much of some of the early music from the Appalatian and Ozark Mountains and our Western states. If there are any performers in your area who would like to get a little air play in the USA, have them contact me through the 'Cat and I'll be glad to work something out with them.
Thanks to all who have responded so far; I look forward to hearing from any others who would like to comment.