The Plainsmen Circa 1974

The Plainsmen, Circa 1974

Band: The Plainsmen
Home: Chatham Ontario
Circa: 1974
Genre: Country/rock covers.

Members:
(Left to right in photo)
Gary Lecoq – bass
Ken Souligny – lead singer
Lew Culver – drums
Gary Mortier – Guitar (not in pic)

Notes: The Plainsmen started in the Aberdeen Hotel around 1972. Lew quite playing around 1976 and the band continued on for roughly two to three more years before folding.
They began as the house band at the Aberdeen and finished at the Tecumseh Hotel.

________

Shot Jackson and Bob Lucier 1974

Click pic to enlarge

Artists: Shot Jackson and Bob Lucier
Release:  Straight Ahead (Instrumental Sho-Bro and Steel Guitar)
Circa: 1974
Genre: Country Instrumental Music

Home: Bob Lucier is from Chatham-Kent (Grande Pointe).

Members:
Bob Lucier – Steel Guitar
Shot Jackson – Dobro

Tracks:
1. THE FUNKY WABASH CANNONBALL
2. TAKE THESE CHAINS
3. THE TENNESSEE WALTZ
4. WE COULD
5. GREEN GREEN GRASS OF HOME
6. STRAIGHT AHEAD
7. COLD COLD HEART
8. SHE THINKS I STILL CARE
9. KENTUCKY WALTZ
10. LOVE IS NO EXCUSE

  Bobby Lucier has been a leader in steel guitar and is world renowned for his unique style and ability. 
Bob was the resident Steel Player for “The Tommy Hunter Show” from the mid 70’s until its demise.  The popular show aired on CBC in Canada. 
 Bob was also the first steel guitarist with the famous Johnny Burke and Eastwind, before that, he played in Bill Anderson’s “Po’ Boys band”, Myers Brothers and the Jubilaires, among a few others. He performed and recorded on several of Country Star Anne Murray’s releases. As a session player, Bob’s steel  playing  appears on a countless number of releases by various artists over the years.

  Shot Jackson (born Harold Jackson, September 4, 1920–January 24, 1991) was a country music guitarist best known for playing Dobro and pedal steel guitar. He also designed and manufactured guitars under the name Sho-Bud. He became known as the “King of the Dobro”.

Recordings: In 1974, Bob Lucier also played steel guitar on David Essig’s  debut album entitled “Redbird Country”.

Preview the album in the video below.

If video does not appear, watch it here.

______________

Ray Francis Two Sides of Country LP

Click on the above picture to enlarge

Artist: Ray Francis
Release: Two Sides of Country
Format: LP Album
Year: Circa 1974
Home: Chatham Ontario Canada

Label: Condor
Distribution: Marathon Music INC.
Number: 977-1404
Genre: Country Music

Notes: Ray Francis was born Feb 9th 1931 in Chatham.

Back Cover Notes:
    Outside the city of Chatham, Ontario, on a small farm, a thirteen year old boy by the name of Ray Francis started strumming chords on his first guitar.
    Ray’s love of country music was greatly influenced by picking up from his radio the famous ‘Grand Ole Opry’ show from WSM Nashville, Tennessee, every Saturday night.
    By the time Ray was in his twenties, he had formed his own band. With his increasing popularity with the fans, Ray was constantly being booked for club and stage appearances. Later the youngster who had only heard the stars of ‘The Grand Ole Opry’ on radio, now found himself appearing onstage with many of these same stars.
    Ray’s versatility as a performer, musician, comedian, and writer has brought him recognition on both sides of the border.
    As a performer myself, I would hate to follow Ray’s show onstage. His ability to impersonate many of the Nashville artists plus come back and sing his own originals, is the true sign of a great overall performer.
    The makings of a great entertainer is like baking a cake. You take a handful of sincerity, a touch of comedy, a warm personality, and a great love for country music and you have my friend, Ray Francis.
 Columbia Recording Artist Dallas Harms

Tracks
01. Forbidden lovers (Stanton-Walker)
02. I knew her then (R. Francis – Doug Springsted)
03. Who’s Julie
04. One nite stand (R.ay Francis)
05. Laura
06. Just let me know (Ray Francis)
07. Margie’s at the Lincoln Park Inn
08. Sweet misery (Ray Francis – Mike Francis)
09. Anita you’re dreaming
10. The downward side of lonesome (R. Francis)
11. If Ginny knew (Ray Francis)
12. In a mansion

Discography as of 1973:
Ray Francis and the Whippoorwills – 1963 – Country Jamboree
The Whippoorwills – 1964 – The Whippoorwills
Ray Francis – 1973 – The Countrey Way
Ray Francis – 1973 – An Olde Tyme Christmas
Ray Francis – 1974 – Two Sides of Country

______________________________________

AIRTIGHT (1974)

click to enlarge

Band: AIRTIGHT
Year: 1974
Home: Chatham Ontario
Style: Rock

Members (L-R)
Mark Tremblay – Keyboards
Rick Chrysler – Drums
Tom Lockwood – Guitar
Larry Patterson – Vocals
Peter Rihbany – Bass

________