Today (Apr 1) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1977, St. John's radio station VOCM advertised in the Daily News that "VOCM has a Juno Award"!
They received the award in 1973, and it was accepted by DJ Johnny Murphy!
@vocmnews.bsky.social @markcritch.bsky.social
Today (Dec 30) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1972 RPM Weekly wrote that DICK NOLAN was starring at Toronto's country music mecca, The Horseshoe.
He lead the house band there in the '60s, backing many superstars. But in 1972, DICK WAS THE SUPERSTAR!
@davidmcphersonca.bsky.social @bernicecb.bsky.social
Today (Dec 13) in #NLMusicHistory...
20 years ago DICK NOLAN, "The Godfather of Newfoundland Country Music", joined Joan Morrissey, John White, & Harry Hibbs in "The Great Musical Up-Along".
@334578.bsky.social @davidmcphersonca.bsky.social @hurtinforreal.bsky.social @bernicecb.bsky.social
Today (Nov 28) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1986, Bob Hallett wrote that FIGGY DUFF is "the best traditional music band in Newfoundland."
Today (Nov 7) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1981, The Newfoundland Herald (Geoff Meeker) reviewed THE WONDERFUL GRAND BAND's LP "Living In A Fog".
Meeker said "This is a class 'A' product and any complaints are minor. Congratulations to the WGB."
@spencercrewe.bsky.social @chmrfm.bsky.social
Today (Nov 4) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1972, RCA published a list of their best selling country albums in Canada. Arists included Dolly Parton, Charlie Pride, Waylon Jennings, Porter Wagner, & others.
What Corner Brook, NL artist outsold them all?
@bernicecb.bsky.social @hurtinforreal.bsky.social
Today (Oct 26) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1955, The Evening Telegram ran a poetic ad for a Hallowe'en Dance at St. Mary's Parish Hall. Music by HAROLD LAFOSSE.
If you had to rhyme sock with clock, what would you come up with?
Today (Oct 25) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1980, The Newfoundland Herald reported that "Two Old Hands" (ROY PENNEY & CHARLIE CROCKER) had formed a "Hot New Country Duo".
@hurtinforreal.bsky.social @seanwmurray.bsky.social @sconjin.bsky.social @spencercrewe.bsky.social
Today (Oct 24) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1975, The Daily News reported that BRIAN MACLEOD had released his first single, "Come By Chance"/"Can's Do Anymore".
This was before he joined the bands Chilliwack & Headpins & became "Too Loud" MacLeod!
Today (Oct 22) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1972, VOCM-590 Radio & The St. John’s Rotary Club sponsored GOLD RECORD NIGHT in St. John’s. PREMIER FRANK MOORES presented a Gold Record to DICK NOLAN.
The sale of Dick's album "Fisherman’s Boy" had exceded 100,000 in just a few months!!!! SPECTACULAR!
Today (Oct 21 in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1972, RPM Weekly advertised the movie "The Rowdyman" which starred Newfoundland's GORDON PINSENT.
The ad also promoted Robbie McDougall's "Love Theme From The Rowdyman". The song charted for 14 weeks on RPM's Middle of the Road Chart, peaking at #1!
Today (Oct 20) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1965, The Evening Telegram reported that The KEATNIKS had cut an album. It was NL's first pop/rock LP.
"That's My Girl", the single, "rose to the top of the music charts from coast-to-coast in Canada, as well as in the United States, Europe, and Australia".
Today (Oct 17) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1969 The St. John's Folk Arts Council advertised an "Old Time Soiree" with "waltzs, reels, polkas, lancers etc."
Guess what's for supper!
Tickets: $4.00 double but "don't delay as the number of tickets is restricted to allow plenty of room for dancing."
Today (Oct 10) in #NLMusicHistory...
It's 1969, and Bowrings Downtown has a special offer.
They're selling NL superstars' LPs on the Arc Label for $1.99... in STEREO no less!
@hurtinforreal.bsky.social @sconjin.bsky.social @lindahickey.bsky.social @334578.bsky.social #DickNolan #HarryHibbs
Today (Oct 9) in #NLMusicHistory....
In 1971, Corner Brook's Western Star reported that The Caribou Club in Toronto carried "the gospel of traditional Newfoundland music, food and fun".
@bernicecb.bsky.social @accordionbruce.bsky.social @spencercrewe.bsky.social @geoffmeeker.bsky.social
Today (Sep 19) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1970, Columbia Records ran a full page ad for SULLIVAN'S GYPSIES in Canada's national music industry magazine, RPM Weekly.
I'm not sure, but I think I'm seeing all three members of RYAN'S FANCY ... Dermot O'Rielly, Fergus O'Byrne, and Denis Ryan.
Today (Sep 2) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1992 EMILE BENOIT, one of Newfoundland and Labrador's most celebrated fiddlers & composers, passed on.
Emile Benoit's achievements have been recognized by many including Memorial University which conferred an honourary Doctorate degree.
Today (Aug 31) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1955 The Evening Telegram published a letter to the editor pointing to the need for local songs. He referenced the lyrics to a song which The Telegram published on Aug 4 about legendary Newfoundland Captain Bob Bartlett.
Today (Aug 30) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1978, The Newfoundland Herald featured an article on singer, songwriter, and musician CHRIS HENNESSY.
After spending a few years with the SONS OF ERIN, he was preparing to launch a solo career with his first album in the works.
Today (Aug 29) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1966, Newfoundland & Labrador's first "Come Home Year", RPM Weekly noted that BERT CUFF's "Island of Newfoundland" (aka "Cold Canadian Waters") and DICK NOLAN's "I'se The B'y" were regional hits.
@spencercrewe.bsky.social @sconjin.bsky.social
Today (Aug 28) in #NLMusicHistory...
So how popular was Trout River's ROY PAYNE in 1976?
Well, an ad by RCA Records in Canada's music industry magazine, RPM Weekly, had him right up there with Waylon Jennings, Jefferson Starship, Tony Bennett. and KC & The Sunshine Band to name a few!
Today (Apr 27) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 2022 singer/songwriter/bass player DEREK PELLEY passed away. His bands included RED ISLAND & FIGGY DUFF. He also released a cassette tape of original songs - "Near Life Experience".
@seanwmurray.bsky.social @sconjin.bsky.social @nlliveevents.bsky.social
Today (Aug 26) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1972 Canada's music industry magazine RPM Weekly featured an ad announcing that NL's JERRY ELI was extending his run for a 20th week at Toronto's After Hours Club, The Matador!
Does anyone happen to know where Jerry is today?
@davidmcphersonca.bsky.social
Today (Aug 25) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1971 The Daily News advertised that America country music superstar GEORGE HAMILTON IV would play the St. John's Arts & Culture Centre. Newfoundland's child singing sensation BONNIE LOU NOLAN and her father DICK NOLAN would open for him!
Today (Aug 24) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1985, Geoff Meeker in The Newfoundland Herald wrote that Newfoundland entertainers were participating in benefit concerts and recordings to raise money for famine relief in Africa.
Today (Aug 23) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1967 The Evening Telegram, St. John's NL, profiled one of Newfoundland & Labrador's most belove rock bands - THE DU-CATS!
@seanwmurray.bsky.social @sconjin.bsky.social @rphowse.bsky.social @334578.bsky.social
Today (Aug 22) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1950 "The One Man Band From Newfoundland", A. FRANK WILLIS was born.
He's best known for his song "Take Me As I Am" which listeners of VOCM selected as the #1 country hit of 1978.
In 1979, he graced the cover of the NF Herald!
Happy Heavenly 75th Frank.
Today (Aug 21) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1971, an ad in RPM Weekly promoted TERRY HYNES' single "Crazy Lover from Newfoundland".
Today (Aug 20) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1945 singer/songwriter/musician EDDIE COFFEY was born. Eddie may be best known for his rendition of "Sweet Forget Me Not" & for his own composition "Grey Foggy Day".
He's celebrating his 80th at Broderick's Pub, George Street St. John's NL (See Poster)!
Today (Aug 19) in #NLMusicHistory...
In 1972 VOCM's John Murphy said the station's success is due to "the community spirit prevalent in the station's programming". An example is its promotion of DICK NOLAN's monster hit "Aunt Martha's Sheep" from the album "Fisherman's Boy".
@vocmnews.bsky.social
