And Now for The Particulars:
Summertime
for me is a trip to the Maritimes, something that I haven’t been able to
do since the pandemic. So why not bring the Maritimes to the airwaves! The
first hour of the show today are songs about Prince Edward Island; the second
hour belongs to Nouveau Brunswick, although some of the artists contribute
to both.
Side A – PEI
1. Billy Budd: Guitar Boogie Breakdown
(Cecil McEachern)
The Versatile Sounds of Billy Budd: Big Wheel Records 2911-002
New Brunswick
Billy Budd: electric lead guitar
Produced by Billy Stoltz, 1971
Written by Cec McEachern, a versitile musician from Prince Edward
Island and an indispensible member of Don Messer’s legendary band, The Islanders.
Cec was a great guitar player and was no slouch on the fiddle either. He
wrote many fiddle breakdowns to play on guitar, something that he had to
do for weekly appearances on Don Messer’s Jubilee.
2. Donnie & Duane: Prince Edward Island is Heaven to Me
(Harold Breau)
The Nickerson Brothers: Imperial Records (Canada) CJ-12779
Brewer, Maine USA
Donnie Nickerson: guitar, vocals
Duane Nickerson: bass, vocals
Rodney Overlock: drums
Harry King: piano
Mark Wellman: guitar
Produced by Mark Wellman, circa 1974
The Harold Breau who wrote this ode to PEI, was actually jazz
head guitarist Lenny Breau’s father who went by the name Hal Lone Pine from
the State of Maine. He was extremely popular right across Canada from appearances
on CBC radio back then.
3. Billy Roy & George Rowsell: PEI Red Clay
(Billy Roy)
Thunder Country: Periwinkle Records – PER 7326
Newfoundland
Don Paveling: bass
Gary Giles: drums
Mickey Andrews: steel, dobro
Billy Roy: vocal, guitar
Paul Clinch: rhythm guitar
Art Snider: keys
Lillian Nickoloff: violin
Ricki Yorke, Debbie Schaal, Paul Clinch, Jerry Dallas: bg vocals
Produced by Art Snider, 1975
Recorded by Brian Mitchell and Bob Stright at Sound Canada
An album called Thunder Country from Newfoundland, seemingly shared
by two singer, covering songs by Marty Robbins (of course!) as well as many
of Billy Roy’s own songs. I found the song to be quite well thought out,
capturing the feeling of PEI which is difficult to accomplish when you’re
not from there.
4. Stompin’ Tom Connors: My Home Cradled Out In The Waves
(TC Connors)
Northlands Zone: Boot Records BOS 7135
Saint John NB
Stompin’ Tom Connors: guitar, vocal
Produced by Jury Krytiuk, 1968
Recorded at RCA Studios, Toronto by Mark Smith
According to Tom, the way he sang and recorded this song, it never really
needed much editing. He wrote it while running away from ‘home’, from Skinner’s
Pond, when he was just 13, on his first successful runaway adventure during
an unhappy childhood. Still, it was the only real home he could remember;
all other ‘homes’ were just steps along the highway.
5. Roy MacCaull: The Shores of PEI
(Roy MacCaull)
Drifting Like The Wind: Marathon Music Incorporated MMS 76016
Ellerslie PEI
Roy MacCaull: guitar, vocals
Red Shea: guitar
Others not listed
Produced by Bill Bessie, 1973
Recorded at Eastern Sound Studios, Toronto
Ask anyone from the Maritimes who their favorite mandolin and country
singer they like from PEI and you’ll surely hear the name of (Chesley) Roy
MacCaull. Like many aspiring young country singers from the Maritimes, Roy
moved to Toronto to caste his fate to the wind. He was luck to join with
some other Maritimers: Al Hooper, Doug Watters, Eddie Poirier to form The
Blue Diamonds. He recorded a few albums for Paragon and currently lives,
and still performs, in Ellerslie, PEI.
6. Stevedore Steve: Lester The Lobster
(Stephen J Foote)
From CBC TV Program 'Fiddlehead Country'
Saint John NB
Stevedore Steve: guitar, vocal
Ray Legere: fiddle
Brian Arseneault
Lisa MacDougal: keys
Daniel Maillet
Mike Porelle
Produced by Rick LeGuerrier, 1997
One of the most notable country singer/songwriters from New Brunswick
had a major ‘hit’ – yes, actually a hit ‘ – with Lester The Lobster. Stevedore
Steve recorded it for his 1971 album for Boot Records called I’ve Lived,
but here’s a copy he gave me from a TV show he was featured on in 1997 with
a crack band backing him.
7. Don Messer and His Islanders: Charlottetown’s Centennial Breakdown
(Don Messer)
45 single bw The Lightening Hornpipe: Apex Records: 9-26415
Halifax NS
Don Messer: fiddle
Waldo Munroe: piano
Duke Neilson: bass
Warren MacRae: drums
Vic Mullen: banjo
Produced 1967
Donald Charles Frederick "Don" Messer (b. Tweedside NB May 9, 1909 / d. Halifax NS March 26, 1973)
The most famous fiddler in Canada – for all times.
8. Teresa Doyle: Factory Girl
(Trad)
Prince Edward Isle, Adieu: Bedlam Records – TD 1987
Belfast PEI
Teresa Doyle: vocals
Richard Chapman: guitar, synth, bg vocal
James Stephens: hammered dulcimer, bouzouki, tin whistle
Philip Raphals: cello
Karen & Doug Young: bg vocals
Paul Legrand: fiddle
Produced by James Stephens, Teresa Doyle,
Richard Chapman & Mario Rubnikovich – 1987
Recorded by Mario Rubnikovich at Studio Works, Old Montreal QC, May 1987
Mastered by Sabin Brunet, Urantia Records
This was the first Teresa Doyle album from 1987. Since then she's recorded
11 more of them, all excellently produced but 'Prince Edward Isle, Adieu'
is her only one on vinyl. Although she lives in rural PEI, she's traveled
around the globe spreading her music. She has worked with many fine musicians
as well: Oliver Schroer, David Woodhead, Stan Rogers and The Chieftains.
Recently she has been performing with her son, Patrick Bunston.
9. The Wakami Wailers: Peter Emberley
(Trad)
Songs from the Lumber Camps - The Last of the White Pine Loggers: Imakaw Recors - CD-002
Picton, Peterborough & Cochrane, ON
Rob Hollett: vocal, guitar, bodhran
Mark Despault: vocal guitar
Mike Bernier: vocal, fiddle, mandolin
Jeff Allen: spoons
Andy Thompson: bass
Produced by Andy Thompson & The Wakami Wailers - 1986
Recorded at Northumberland Music Studio 29, Campbellford ON
'Peter Emberley'. The story of a young man from Prince Edward Island
who was fatally injured in the Miramichi lumberwoods when a log rolled on
him. John Calhoun, a friend of the lad, composed the verses in 1881 and a
local singer, Abraham Munn, set them to a traditional Irish tune. The ballad
is the favourite lumbering song of New Brunswick; it also was sung along
all the east coast of Canada and in Ontario lumbercamps.
The Wakami Wailers first started singing logging songs after they met at
Wakami Lake Provincial Park in Northern Ontario when they were training to
become park rangers. They collected stories and songs and usually got together
once or twice a year to perform in Algonquin Park’s Logging Museum.
10. The Stampeders: The Man From PEI
(Rich Dodson)
Against The Grain: Music World Creations - MWCS 701
Calgary AB
Rich Dodson - guitar
Kim Berly - drums
Ronnie King - bass
Produced by Mel Shaw, 1971
Recorded by Terry Brown, Greg Hambleton, Ray Lawrence, Ernie Lyons & Dave Slagter at Toronto Sound Studio
Mixed by Terry Brown
The Stampeders formed in the mid-60s in Calgary and were huge in the early
‘70s with big hit songs like ‘Sweet City Woman’. I used to think, mostly
from the title, that this song was about Stompin’ Tom till I read the lyrics.
11. Haywire: Bad, Bad Boy
(Marvin Birt / Paul MacAusland)
45 Single bw When You Fall Out of Love: Attic Records AT 335
Charlottetown PEI
Paul MacAusland: vocal
David Rashed: keys
Marvin Birt: guitar
Ronnie Switzer: vass
Sean Kilbride: drums
Produced by Brian Allen 1986
Recorded by Noel Golden & Ed Stone at Metalworks Studio, Toronto
Additional recording at Manta Sound, Toronto
Mixed at Le Studio, Morin Heights QC by Paul Northfield
Formed 1981. Their 2nd album, Don't Just Stand There, went platinum and contained
their highest charting hit, the hard-driving "Dance Desire".
12. Mark Haines & Zippers: The Blues Got The World By The Balls
(Bruce Cockburn)
Radio Jungle: Stony Plain Records – SPL 1082
Souris PEI
Mark Haines: fiddle, guitar, vocals
Thomas Nelson: bass vocals
Doug Jang: drums, vocals
John Theodore: keys, guitar, vocals
Produced by Mark Haines & James McConnell, 1986
Recorded by Rbin Brouwers at Phase One Studios Toronto
13. Billy MacInnis: Duke Neilson Jig
(Billy MacInnis)
Fiddles Favorites: MV-8506-1
Village Green, PEI
Billy MacInnis: fiddle
John MacInnis: drums
Allan McKinnon: piano
Rodrigue Richard: bass
Joe McGarry: steel
Produced by Lou Douse and C Francis Drake, 1983
Recorded by George MacPhee at Millview Studios, Chalottetown
Mixed by C Francis Drake and Wayne Huskins
Mastered at Novasco Sound Vision, Halifax
b. Charlottetown PEI 1971
Billy is everyone’s favourite person on PEI. He lived in Charlottetown
until just a couple of years ago when he relocated to Brockville ON. PIayed
fiddle and keys for Stompin’ Tom’s band throughout the early 2000s. Recorded
this, his only vinyl LP, when he was only 12.
13. Leon Gallant & Mike Pendergast: Song of the Irish Moss
(T C Connors)
Songs From The Shanty: No Label or Serial
Stanley Bridge PEI
Leon Gallant: guitar, vocals
Mike Pendergast: accordion
Remi Arsenault: bass
Brendan Peters: electric guitar
Produced by Mike & Leon, 2011
Recorded by Remi Arsenault and Donald Richard at Leon's House
Today’s only CD cut is from the musical minds of Music Man, Mike Pendergast
and his pal Leon Gallant. When In PEI I stay at Leon’s place so it’s nice
to know that this good sounding CD was recorded there, in his music room.
Leon does a great version of Stompin’ Tom’s song about carrageen collectors.
14. Dennis Ellsworth & The Haunted Hearts: Continental Blues
(Gene MacLellan)
Snowbird: The Songs of Gene MacLellan: True North Records TND 676
Charlottetown, PEI
Dennis Ellsworth: guitar, vocal
Blu Gillis: bass
Mike Macdougall: drums,
Johnny Ross: keys
Produced by Karl Falkenham 2017
Recorded at Zion Piresbyterian Church, Charlottetown PEI 2013
Recorded by Pat Martin, Rod Sneddon and Kenny MacDopnald
House Sound: House Front Productions
This was recorded back in 2013 but only released in 2017 and features
various artists covering Gene MacLellan’s songs, including Lenny Gallant,
John Connoly, Dennis Ellsworth and Ron Hynes doing versions of Gene’s songs.
Catherine has been doing summer-long shows of Gene MacLellan, her father’s
life in stories and songs.
15. Gene MacLellan: The Call
(Gene MacLellan)
45 single bw Snowbird: Capitol Records Canada 72607
Val d’Or QC / PEI
Gene MacLellan: vocal
Pig Robbins, BG Cruiser: piano
Wally Ackerman: drums
Norbert Putnam: bass
Bobby Thompson: banjo
Lloyd Green: steel
Charley McCoy, Jimmy Riddle: harmonica
Fred Carter Jr, Bill Sanford, Brian Ahern, Tommy Graham, Kelso Herston: guitars
Produced by Brian & Trish Ahern, 1970
Executive Producer: Paul White
Recorded by Les Ladd, Lee Hazen, Rick Horton, Gene Eichelburger and / or
Bill Connor at Woodland Sound Studio, Nashville TN
Like his song Snowbird, this Gene MacLellan song was also a big hit
for Anne Murray in 1976. She actually first released it on her 1970 album,
Honey, Wheat and Laughter but re-recorded it for her 1975 album Together.
MacLellan’s 1970 version was a minor hit on Canadian Country Music charts,
reaching #15. Lennie Gallant also did a great version on the 2017 compilation
album (on vinyl!) Snowbird: The Songs of Gene MacLellan. Gene’s daughter,
Catherine, did an excellent interpretation of it on her CD If It’s Alright
With You: Songs of Gene MacLellan, also 2017.
16. Catherine MacLellan: Snowbird
(Gene MacLellan)
Snowbird: The Songs of Gene MacLellan: True North Records TND 676
Rural PEI
Catherine MacLellan: guitar, vocal
Chris Gauthier: electric guitar, bg vocal
Produced by Karl Falkenham, 2017
Recorded at Zion Presbyterian Church, Charlottetown PEI 2013
Recorded by Pat Martin, Rod Sneddon and Kenny MacDopnald
House Sound: House Front Productions
Catherine MacLellan b. Burlington ON
Catherine was raised in Summerside, PEI, the daughter of a famous
singer-songwriter who died of suicide. It took her a long time to reconcile
her father’s life, but she did it in a big way, producing a stage play musical
about her father’s life.
This was recorded back in 2013 but only released in 2017 and features various
artists covering Gene MacLellan’s songs, including Lenny Gallant, John Connoly,
Dennis Ellsworth and Ron Hynes doing versions of Gene’s songs. Catherine
has just completed a summer-long show of her father’s life and songs.
17. Henry Cuesta: Thorn In My Shoe
(Gene MacLellan)
Henry Cuesta Plays Favourites: Pickwick / Canadian Talent Library PC-44017 / CTL S-5147
Toronto ON
Henry Cuesta: clarinet, sax
Peter Appleyard: vibes, percussion
Jimmy Coixon: keys
Bobby Edwards: guitar
Kenny Gil: guitar
Hank Monis: guitar
Bob Price: bass
Ron Vickery: drums
Produced by Johnny Burt, 1980
Recorded by Peter Houston at Toronto Sound Studios
Henry Falcon Cuesta, Sr. b. December 23, 1931 McAllen, Hidalgo County
Texas - d. December 17, 2003 (aged 71) Sherman Oaks, CA
Played in Lawrence Welk’s band as a clarinetist.
Lived in Toronto for several years, fronting his own band.
Thorn in my Shoe was another great composition by Gene MacLellan.
Vintage Voices w DJ Tony:
18: Louis Armstrong: La Vie En Rose
(Edith Piaf / Louis Guglielmi)
La Vie En Rose - C'est Si Bon - Musidisc – 30 CV 1316
New Orleans LA
Clarinet – Barney Bigard
Contrabass – Arvell Shaw
Drums – Cozy Cole
Piano – Earl Hines
Trombone, Vocals – Jack Teagarden
Trumpet, Vocals – Louis Armstrong
Produced 1974
Recorded in Toronto in 1951
I have never been able to find out why Armstrong recorded this version of La Vie En Rose in Toronto. Anybody?
Side B – Nouveau Brunswick
1. Ivan Hicks & Ned Landry: Bowin' The Strings (N Landry) / Ontario Swing (N Landry)
Generations: Maritime Express - ME1013
Riverview,NB / Saint John, NB
Ivan Hicks: fiddle
Ned Landry: fiddle
Vivian Hicks: keys
Allison Inch: fiddle
Janelle Dupuis: fiddle
Guy Leger: fiddle
Stacey Read: fiddle
Gary Morris: guitar, bass, percussion
Reg Gallant: guitar
Produced by Ivan Hicks & Gary Morris, 2001
Recorded by Gary Morris at Prime Time Studios, Sussex & Saint John, NB
Mastered at Express Duplication, Utopia, NB
Fredrick ‘Ned’ Landry b. Saint John NB 1921 / d. August 2018 (97) Saint John
Here’s Ivan with the legendary Ned Landry on their joint album,
Generations, which also features some of Ivan’s better fiddle students.
Being a lover of fine fiddle music, I first met Ivan Hicks, New Brunswick’s
finest proponent of the genre, sometime in the 1990s. We were kindred spirits!
We became fine friends. While time has robbed us of our youth, Ivan’s band,
‘The Maritime Express’ doesn’t tour these days but back when they did, it
wasn’t impossible for a huge caravan to be parked outside, on St. George
St., here in Toronto, while inside were the Maritime Express doing a live
radio broadcast, playing their music in front of our mics. My job was easy:
just sit back and relax but the band were playing with spirit and acumen,
even when the lights went out briefly in the studio (someone leaned back
and inadvertently flipped the light switch off). So here’s a few tunes from
that June 1 session from 2000.
2. Scotty Stevenson: Take Me Back To Old New Brunswick
(Scotty Stevenson)
Versatile Scotty Stevenson: London - EB 85
Montreal QC
Johnny Brown: fiddle
Scotty Stevenson: guitar
Buddy Ackers: steel
Ruthie MacLean: bass
Bernie MacLean: drums Onawa, AB
Producer not listed - circa 1965
Scotty Stevenson b. Onaway AB 1932
Began playing professionally in Alberta at 15, was based in Montreal
when he recorded most of his many albums. He was popular from the late 1950s
through the early 80s.
3. DON MESSER & HIS ISLANDERS: Barndance Medley: Fireman's Reel / Lamplighters Hornpipe / Soldier's Joy
(all trad)
The Good Old Days: Apex / MCA - TVLP-79052
Tweedside, NB
Charlie Chamberlain: vocals
Rae Simmons: clarinet
Cec MacEchern: guitar
Warren McRae: drums
Duke Neilson: bass
Waldo Munro: piano
Produced by Alan Guettel & David Pritchard, 1979
No date for when this amazing cut was actually recorded, but
although it was used as a theme tune for Don Messer’s Jubilee, this was the
first time it had been put down on vinyl. Born in the hamlet of Tweedside,
Nouveau Brunswick, population about ten families, Messer moved down to Boston
to continue his violin studies before returning back to NB to form the Back
Woods Trio with Charlie Chamberlain and bass player Duke Neilson. After seeing
Toronto’s George Wade and His Cornhuskers, more of an orchestra instead of
a band, Messer decided to form the New Brunswick Lumberjacks in the 1930s.
After accepting a position on the fledgling CBC radio network, the band relocated
to Charlottetown and renamed themselves The Islanders. They eventually moved
to Halifax NS when the program went on television.
And Yes: that’s the same Cec MacEachern who wrote the Guitar Boogie Breakdown.
4. Ned Landry: Bowing The Strings
(N Landry)
Bowing The Strings: RCA Camden - CAL-891
Saint John, NB
Fredrick Landry: fiddle
Produced 1966
Though as a boy he taught himself to play the violin, Landry
first appeared, in 1934, on Don Messer's CHSJ radio show 'Backwoods Breakdown'
as a harmonica player. In 1939, with the New Brunswick Lumberjacks, he placed
second in CBS radio's 'Major Bowes' Amateur Hour' in New York, and then became
the first oldtime fiddler to perform on TV in Boston. This album was the
first LP released by RCA Canada. Ned began recording singles for RCA Victor
in 1955, eventually completing eight LPs for that label. He was the winner
of the open class at the 1956, 1957, and 1962 Canadian Open Old Time Fiddlers'
Contests. He’s best known as the composer of fiddle standards Ontario Swing,
Bowin' the Strings, and the Hillbilly Calypso. Ned was made a Member of the
Order of Canada in 1991. He made a great CD of fiddle tunes (and stories!)
in 2001 with Ivan Hicks and some of his fiddle students, called ‘Generations’.
5. Eight Point Five: Casey’s Mail Order Bride
(Bernard Arsenault)
45 single bw Were We Wrong: Jet Records JET4009
Bathurst NB
Bernie Arseneau - Bass guitar, vocal and songwriter;
Paul Cormier - Drums;
Bob Russel - Lead Guitar, vocal and songwriter;
Robert (Buck) Hebert - Lead vocal;
Jerry Duguay - Keyboards & harmony.
Produced by Andre Perry and Don Wayne, 1968
Arranged By Denis Ménard
This band was chosen by Denis Ménard, DJ at CKBC in Bathurst New Brunswick,
who had won an award allowing him to bring a band to the studios of André
Perry in Montreal. A supporting tour was awarded as part of the prize, but
the band needed signed approval of all parents, some of whom refused feeling
that a tour might hinder the boys' education.
6. Edith Butler: L’Acadie S’Marie
(JC Dupont / D Deschenes)
L’Acadie S’Marie: Versailles Records ¬ VERC 560006
Paquetville NB
Edith Butler: vocals
Compilation Produced ¬ 1975*
Marie Nicole Butler b. 27 July 1942 in Paquetville, New Brunswick
She began in the mid 1960s in Moncton and was
propelled across Canada through the nationally televised CBC TV show Singalong
Jubilee. In the early 1970s she represented Canada at the World Exposition
in Osaka and gave 500 performances throughout Japan. She is an Officer of
the Order of Canada since 1975 .
Over Édith Butler’s 50-year career she has sold over 2 million records
She has won dozens of major awards and doctorates over the years.
7. Tom Gallant: Song of the Restigouche
(Tom Gallant)
45 single no B side: no label T-57218
Lunenburg NS
No info available
Produced 1972
Recorded at Captain Audio, Toronto
The song was recorded for the Campbellton, New Brunswick Salmon Festival
as its theme in 1972. He toured with Stompin’ Tom Connors on the latter’s
comeback tour in 1990
8. Stevedore Steve: Minto Miners
(Stephen J Foote)
Hard Workin' Men - Boot Records BOS 7102
Saint John, NB
Steve Foote: guitar, vocal
Fred McKenna: steel
Others unknown
Produced by Jury Krytiuk, 1971
Recorded at RCA Limited Studio, Toronto
Recording & Mixing Engineer: George Semkiw
Recording Technician: "Cub" Richardson
http://www.backtothesugarcamp.com/steveindex.htm
Stephen J Foote b. Saint John NB Jan 9, 1938 / d. October 2016 Saint John NB
Unlike the hard rock miners of Ontario and Quebec, maritime based
miners had to endure working in the coal fields. We've all heard of the tragedies
of Westray Mine in 1992 killing 26 men. And the Springhill Mining Disasters
of 1891, 1956 and 1958, the latter of which was immortalized in song by Peggy
Seeger and Ewan Macoll. New Brunswick had a big coalfield in the Minto area;
Nova Scotia had coal in Cape Breton and the mainland; coal dust sparkled
through many a maritimer’s veins.
I must mention Ossie Branscomb, of Minto, who ran the Country Music Store
on the Danforth for years: a Toronto institution of its time.
9. June Eikhard and Her Tantramar Ramblers: Niagara Breakdown
(June Eikhard)
Canada’s First Lady of the Fiddle: Banff / Rodeo – RBS 1076
Moncton NB / Oshawa ON
June Eikard: fiddle
Cletus “Leroy” Glazier: guitar
Jackie Doyle: piano
Cecil Eikhard, bass
Al Cogan, electric Guitar
Produced by Dougal Trineer, 1959
b. Moncton NB 1932
Mother of singer / songwriter Sheila Eikard
June was fifteen she picked up her grandfather’s violin. She placed 2nd in
the Championship Class at the 1959 annual Canadian Old Time Fiddler’s Contest
held in Shelburne, Ontario, being the first woman to do so in the nine years
history of the contest.
10. Stompin’ Tom Connors: My Reversing Falls Darling
(TC Connors)
Bud The Spud: Dominion Records - LPS 21002 / EMI Canada - 7243 495591 2 7
Halton Hills, ON
Tom Connors, guitar, foot
Gerry Hall, guitar
Ronald McDonald, bass
Mickey Andrews, steel, drums
Produced by Dr. Tom Connors, 1969
Recorded at RCA Studios, Toronto by George Simkiw
Another one of Stompin’ Tom’s first compositions, written when he was
about 14, attending a vocational school in Saint John after working on the
coal boats for a couple of seasons.
11. George Hector: River Boat March
(George Hector)
Feelin’ Uncommonly Good: Indie Cassette
Saint John, NB
George Hector: banjo
Harold O’Donnell: fiddle
Patrick O’Donnell: guitar
Bob Barry: piano
Aubrey Hanson: flat-top guitar
Lloyd Hanson: bass
Produced by Lloyd Hanson, 1986
Recorded at by Lloyd Hanson at Reel North Recording Studios, Fredericton NB
Manufactured by World Records
George Hector b. Gagetown NB April 14, 1911 / d. 2004
One of the few black country musicians from New Brunswick, his
family settled there after leaving the United States during their Civil War.
His father bought him a second hand banjo. He did not take lessons and he
was soon good enough to play on the radio CFBO at the Admiral Beatty Hotel.
In 1935 he was hired by Don Messer and made his first professional concert
appearance. Because of the success of that appearance, he was asked to join
Messer’s band, then called The New Brunswick Lumberjacks. At the time George
was a chauffeur for the late Howard P. Robinson. "I was making $22.50 a week
just for driving a car and keeping it shined...not bad for the hungry thirties".
So they billed him as The Singing Chauffeur.
After WW2 he and Ned Landry formed the Maritime Farmers band which went on
for another 15 years. He recorded his first solo album, The Singing Banjoman
in 1982.
Played w Messer's New Brunswick Lumberjacks 1930s
1983: inducted into the NB Country Music Hall of Fame
1997: Awarded Stompin’ Tom Award at the ECMAs
12. The Henchmen: River Saint John
(Trad)
One Up!: Dominion Records LP 1344
Saint John NB
Peter Chipman: guitar, tenor vox
Alf Brien: baritone vox
Jerry Gadd: banjo; vox bass
Dave Sansom: tenor banjo, baritone vox
Produced 1964
The Henchmen: Jerry Gadd, originally from Liverpool, UK, is currently
living in Victoria BC; David Sansom in Kingston; Al Brien from Fredricton
lives in Saint John, NB; and leader Peter Chipman, originally from Ottawa,
lives in Vancouver.
13. Aubrey Hanson: New Brunswick’s The Province For Me
(Aubrey Hanson)
A Maritime Legend: Prime Time Records – PTL 103
Fredricton NB
Lloyd Hanson: Bass
Gene Morris: fiddle
Raymond McLean: harmony vocal
Ralph McLean: harmony vocal
Winston Rees: banjo, mandolin
Lisa MacDougall: piano
Gary Morris: guitar, percussion
Aubrey Hanson: vocal, guitar, harmonica, banjo
Produced by Aubrey Hanson, 1982
born in Fredericton on February 17, 1930 / d. June 8, 2002
Aubrey founded the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983
14. Beausoliel Broussard: Reel des temps dulls
(Trad)
Beausoliel Broussard: La Tamanoir – TAM 27003
Nouveau Brunswick
Jean-Gabriel Comeau: fiddle
Jacques Savoie: guitar, vocal, spoons
Claude Fournier: guitar, harmon ica, guimbarde, mandolin
Isabelle Roy: piano, vocal
Denis Boucher: percussion
Roy Harrington: bass
Gervais Lessard: feet
Michel Garneau: vocals
Jean-Francois Beaudin: flute
Produced by Réal Trembley, Bertrand Gauthier & Jacques Savoie, 1977
Recorded by Michel Ethier at Studio de Son, Quebec City
Formed 1976 – 1980
Recorded 3 albums
15. Easternaires: Tobique Woman
(Gene Swazey)
Tobique Woman: Audat Records – 477-9049
Tobique, NB
Ron Briggs: keys, vocal – Plaster Rock
Lyle Millard: bass, vocal – South Tilly NB
Wyatt Millard: drums, vocal – South Tilly NB
Gene Swazy: guitar, vocal – Tobique Narrows NB
Produced 1977
Recorded by Grant Kennedy
16. Marigail Hunter: Mem’ries of the Miramichi
(Johnnie Scott)
45 single bw Southwest Miramichi: Porter Brook Records MBS 0080
Ludlow NB
Marigail Hunter: vocals
Produced 1980
Currently working as a financial adviser in Fredricton.
17. Eloi LeBlanc: Breakwater Hoedown
(Eloi LeBlanc)
Son Of Arcadian Pioneer: RTP Productions: RTR-EL-001
St Anne, NB
Elmo LeBlanc: fiddle
Denny Mack: bass, guitar, banjo
Alcide Arsenault: piano
Produced by Arcade Richard, 1984
Recorded by Denis & Richard Cormier at Rite
Track Studios, Leonminster, Maine Elmo LeBlanc: Breakwater Hoedown
I collect Canadian fiddle albums. I’ve got hundreds of them! This one
has always stood out for me because, unlike a lot of Canadian fiddle albums,
this one was recorded properly. LeBlanc was a fine player who had great tone
and that comes through on this record. Not a harsh fiddle not on it. A really
good example of the Acadian fiddling influence on his playing.
18. Downeast Partners: Smoke Along The Track
(Alan Rose / Don Helms)
Bluegrass Collection Vol. 1: Prime Time Records ACR 12822
Moncton NB
Bob Glidden: dobro, guitar, mandolin
Bob Coughlan: lead vocal, guitar
Calvin Deleavey: bass
Jean Belliveau: guitar, mandolin
Produced by Gary Morris 1987
Recorded at Prime Time Sound, Sussex NB by Gary Morris
This song was originally a hit for Stonewall Jackson. Formed 1986, this was the group’s first of two albums.
19. Cliffy & Jerry: Looking For My Baby
(C Short / J Banks)
45 rpm bw Angel of Love: Quality Records – K1839
Minto NB
Cliffy Legere (aka Cliffy Short)
Jerry Robichaud (aka Jerry Banks)
Produced 1959
Recorded in Toronto
This New Brunswick Acadian duo recorded three 45s for Quality Records in Toronto between 1958 and 59.
20. The Stonemen: Faded Colors
(Norbet Whyte)
Single: Maritime M45-1006
Moncton NB
Norbet Whyte
Bill McFadden
? LeBlanc
? LeBlanc
Produced by Bill McFadden, 1966
One of the rarest and most sought-after Canadian 45s. (I only
have an efile). They consisted of 3 LeBlanc brothers (thus Whyte) from a
well-known family of bricklayers, hence the name Stonemen. Some debate the
release date, thinking 67 or 68.
21. Misty Fire: Who Am I
(D Poirier)
45 Single bw Cries of a Gambler: Fundy Records FSC 109
Saint-Paul de Kent, NB
Dominique Poirier: vocals
Leo Beliveau: guitar, vocals
Leandre Leger: bass
Alfred Vienneau: lead guitar
Jean Maurice Roy: drums
Produced, circa 1972
Recorded in Sackville NB
These guys got together in the early 1970s and got quite popular along
the Acadian shore of New Brunswick. This was their only release, from around
1972, but the band did stay together until the latter part of the 70s and
have since reformed from time to time.
22. Ron Fisher Band: Freeway Blues
(Ron Fisher)
Gone Fishin’: Brass Finger Records BRA 01
Roblin Village NB
Ron Fisher: guitar, vocal, percussion
Lenny Mabee: bass, keys, vocals
Alan McDonald: guitar, keys, flute, sax, harp, vocal
Ted Morton: drums, percussion, vibes
Produced by Gary Morris and The Ron Fisher Band, 1983
Recorded and Mixed at Prime Time Studios, Sussex NB by Gary Morris and Jeff Myres
In looking up Ron Fisher one finds some amazingly inccorect information.
Like: Ron Fisher from Toronto, ON has designed a plastic pizza case that
would replace cardboard boxes and help reduce waste. Or “a former Canadian
politician. He represented the electoral district of Saskatoon—Dundurn in
the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 1993 as a member of the NDP.”
Couldn’t find much about the NB guitarist at all.
23. Lloyd Hanson: Music for the Black Cat
(L Hanson)
The Great Debate: DTK Records Kill006
Fredricton NB
Lloyd Hanson: bass, drum programming, guitar, synth
Roland Bourgeois: muted cornet
Ian Sedgewick: keys
Produced by Lloyd Hanson & Mark Carmody 1988
24. The Astroids: Shhhhhh Blast Off
(John Everett / Alan Reid)
45 rpm - Rodeo Records RD 182
Saint John NB
Bob Seely: pianist
Mel Clark: guitar, lead vocal
Alan Reid: bass guitar,
Jon Everett aka Dov Ivry: drums
Produced 1958
Recorded at Rodeo Records Studios, Halifax
The group that made the first rock 'n' roll record in Atlantic Canada. On
April 23 of that year (1958) the four Asteroids set out from their homes
in Saint John, New Brunswick, for what was then a seven-hour trip to Halifax,
Nova Scotia, to make the first rock 'n' roll record in that part of the world.
The Asteroids were formed in 1957 by Mel Clark, Jon Everett (Dov Ivry) and
Alan Reid. They were 16 years old. When the Sputnik went up not long
after, they sat down and wrote their first song, Satellite. Blast off was
the first Rodeo Records, basically a C&W label, release of rock n roll.
The Studio only had 2 mics and they cut two 45s. Hi tech! Bob Seely died
in 2015.
