Mildred Geraldine Joy Kirkpatrick[1] OAM (née McKean; 14 January 1930 – 25 May 2023), was an Australian country music singer-songwriter and wife and manager of Slim Dusty.

McKean was known as the Queen of Australian country music,[2] and considered a pioneer in the industry, recognized as one of Australia's leading songwriters and bush balladeers and wrote several of Dusty's most popular songs.

Her mother and their father, who was a steel guitar player, encouraged an interest in different types of music, including country performers Jimmie Rogers and the Carter Family.

During this time, McKean met Slim Dusty, introduced by radio DJ Tim McNamara in Sydney.

[6] McKean was Dusty's wife and manager for over 50 years, creating a hugely successful body of work.

[10] The family began annual round Australia tours in 1964 – encompassing a 30,000-mile, 10-month journey which was the subject of a feature film, The Slim Dusty Movie in 1984.

Dusty attained international success with his 1957 hit "A Pub With No Beer", and remained at the forefront of Australian country music from that time until his death in 2003.

[11] Other popular songs written by McKean for her husband include: "Walk A Country Mile", "Indian Pacific", "Kelly's Offsider", "The Angel of Goulburn Hill" and "The Biggest Disappointment".

[17] The film features covers of McKean songs by acclaimed contemporary artists including Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly, Troy Cassar-Daley and Keith Urban.

[18] Film critic Paul Byrnes wrote: "Kriv Stenders (Red Dog) gives us a loving portrait of one of the most important songwriters this country has produced – and it's not Slim Dusty.

Aficionados already knew Joy McKean wrote many of her husband's best songs – in particular, Lights on the Hill and The Biggest Disappointment.