Reg passed away in Belmont Hospital at 11am on August 5 after a long illness.

Wife Roslyn and daughters Dianne, Sandra and Joanne and families were at his bedside.

Roslyn and Reg married on Brampton Island in 1988 and came to Cessnock the following year. From then on they called Cessnock home.

She spoke about his great talent and strength that was evident right up to the end.

Along with contemporaries Slim Dusty and Smoky Dawson, Reg was one of the ‘founding fathers’ of Australian country music. His music and personality continue to influence the new breed of Australian country music artists.

Reg recorded more than 65 albums and 250 singles, won three Golden Guitars at the Australasian Country Music Awards, was awarded the Order of Australia for his services to music, had his own top-rating, nationally syndicated television and radio programs, wrote more than 500 songs and toured every inch of this great continent.

Reg’s career also extended to his involvement in two long running television shows, The Reg Lindsay Country Hour and Reg Lindsay Country Homestead.

"Reg Lindsay will go down in history as a true great of Australian music. His classic hits sound as beautiful today as they did when Reg recorded them. He is a master interpreter of song and this box set is the ultimate collection of his greatest works. I can't say enough good things about Reg......…It's all true and from the heart,” said recording star Lee Kernaghan.

“We at Destra Music are all deeply saddened by the news of Reg’s passing, and our thoughts are with Ros and the rest of Reg’s family during this very trying time,” said Destra Music CEO, Ken Outch.

Destra Music has been working closely with Reg’s wife and manager Roslyn for the past 12 months in compiling 'No Dress Rehearsal - The Highlights', a four-CD box-set celebrating Reg's outstanding 45-year career.

The set was released just three days before Reg’s death.

Destra Music is proud to be releasing ‘No Dress Rehearsal’ as a celebration of a true Australian country music pioneer.

A large crowd attended Reg’s funeral service in St. John’s Anglican Church on Monday morning.

No doubt Reg’s memory will continue with the annual Reg Lindsay Rodeo and Music Reunion held at Cessnock Showground.