Artist:Aaron Allen Release: Highway Mile (EP) Year: 2020 Genre: Country Music From: Chatham Ontario Resides: London Ontario
Tracks: 01. Where Music Comes from 02. Highway Mile 03. Can We Go Back 04. Mine All Mine 05. Superman 06. Good Tattoo
Notes:Aaron won the Ontario’s “Rising Star” in country music, from the Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO). In 2020, Aaron has decided to pursue music full on.
Discography
2006 – Aaron Allen – Self Titled (11 songs)
2007 – Aaron Allen & The Small City Saints – Self-Titled (12 songs)
2009 – Aaron Allen – A place called hell (15 songs)
2011 – Aaron Allen – IV (6 songs)
2012 – Aaron Allen & The Small City Saints – Self-Titled (5 songs)
2015 – Aaron Allen & the Small City Saints – Better days (10 songs)
2020 – Aaron Allen – Highway Mile (EP, 6 songs)
Links: * Play on spotify here. * Play at Apple Music here. * Website here.
Born: February 9, 1931 – Eberts, Ontario Died: June 30, 2010 – Chatham, Ontario
Based out of Chatham, Ontario, Ray Francis formed his first band The Whippoorwills in the late 1950’s (with John Tangelis, Max Dauphin, Ray Dauphin, and Bill Taylor) and they quickly earned a solid reputation by backing up touring Nashville stars like Ray Price, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, Faron Young, Ferlin Husky, etc., and making appearances on major stages. The Whippoorwills also hosted a “live” show, aired weekly for more than five years over CFCO radio in Chatham. The act recorded two albums in the mid 1960’s: “The Whippoorwills” released on Canatal Records; and “Country Jamboree” on Arc Records.
After the demise of The Whippoorwills group, Ray Francis joined Gary Buck’s touring country band based out of Sault Ste. Marie, and shortly afterwards, returned home to Chatham where he formed his own band, which featured his then-teenage son Mike “Pepe” Francis on lead guitar. The act was short-lived, as Mike Francis was lured away to work major recording sessions in Toronto, and Ray Francis then formed yet another back-up band, The Rancheros.
By the early 1970’s, Ray Francis was also launching a solo recording career with a debut album, “The Country Way”, released on Marathon Records. The lead single, “Restless Woman”, was one of many original songs that Ray Francis recorded during his career. Also in 1973, Ray Francis released the album “An Old Tyme Christmas”; and followed it up with two albums on the Condor Records label: the 1974 “The Two Sides Of Country”; and the 1975 package “The Good Old Days”.
The Condor Records albums yielded several nationally charted singles, including “If Ginny Knew”, which reached #39 on Canadian hit charts in 1974; “I Knew Her Then”, which was a Top 20 hit; and his best chart showing with the 1976 single “The Good Old Days”, which topped out at #11 on the charts. A subsequent single, “Out Of My Mind”, b/w [Ed: “b/w”: abbreviation for “backed with” – 45 RPM vinyl singles had an A and B side] “Little Bit of Heaven”, failed to chart. After a lengthy hiatus from the recording scene, Ray Francis returned to the recording studio in 1998, releasing the album “A Ray Of Country”, featuring updated selections of his previous hits, balanced with cover versions of country favourites.
During his senior years, Ray Francis continued to entertain audiences with personal appearances at music shows in local church halls and nursing homes in and around the Chatham area. Ray Francis passed away June 30, 2010 at age 79. His musical legacy lives on through his son Mike “Pepe” Francis, who has gone on to great fame as a producer of sessions for Canadian recording acts, as well as lending his award-winning guitar stylings to many of the recordings.
Tracks: 01. More 02. Drink You Up 03. Oceans Blue 04. Dirt Country
Chatham Music Archive Notes: Dirt Country has been performing in and around the Chatham-Kent area. They got their start naturally performing covers as the norm in the area. Dirt Country is blending their sets with originals that are true to country music in the purest sense.
Notes: One of the oldest bars in Ontario,Centrally located between Chatham, Wallaceburg & Tilbury.
The Central Tavern hosted decades of great live music & was a busy place for bands through the golden years of the 1970’s straight through the 1990’s. The venue is currently under new management today that works hard at creating all kinds of events to keep the venue vibrant & warm to those who stop in. Now, if those walls could talk!
Paint Court is a small french speaking community just outside of Chatham.
Email your info & pics to:chatham_music_archive@hotmail.com
Band: Demo Kid (Shawn B.) Release:Home Demos Volume 3 Released:Dec 24th 2010 Year:2010 Genre: Rock, Country, Dance Home: Chatham Ontario
Tracks 01 Drink (with J. Verleye) (Free Download) 02Just Kids (with J. Verleye) (Free Download) 03 Just In Case (J. Ross) (Free Download) 04 123 05 The Big Dirty 06The Switch Song (J. Verleye) 07Laughing At Her (J. Verleye) 08 Wish me Luck (R. Johnston)
Notes: During the past few years, Demo Kid has begun collaborating with many local artists. This release includes performances from Julie Ross, Rob Johnston, Jesse V., & Rene Brosseau.
Demo Kid has done 3 tracks with Weezer front man Rivers Cuomo. Turning Up the Radio just made it onto Weezer’s latest record ‘Death To False Metal’ released this year. The original version contained efforts by many along with Demo Kid, and directed by Rivers.
Venue: Golden Tap and Grill City: Chatham Ontario Genre: Country Music Bar Bands: Live bands on weekends Phone: (519) 351-1907 Address: 429 Grand Avenue East
The Golden Tap has remained the only true country music bar in Chatham Ontario since the early nineties. But it did not begin there. The venue was previously known as the ‘Kingsway Hotel’, which had a good run through the 1970’s to the early 1990’s. Bands from around the continent (big and small) performed here in the 1970’s when live music was the main and only source of weekly entertainment.
Today, you can still enjoy country music bands performing every weekend at the Golden Tap.
Singer: Jade Lester CD Release: Love’s Funny That Way Year: 2010 Home: Chatham Ontario Genre: Country/Pop
Notes: Jade Lester (19) Just released her first album in April 2010. She performs with the local crew ‘The O’Hara Brothers Band’. Material for this album was written by top songwriters from Ontario, to Nashville to LA. Jade is currently attending high school at Chatham-Kent Secondary School.
Jade began singing country music at age six, winning many awards through out the years since then. She has also become active as an actress in many local theatre productions in the past few years.
Produced by Will Haas at Willyboy recording studios in London.
Band: Free Ride Genre: Classic Rock & Roll Home: Chatham, Wallaceburg Year: 2010 Formed: 2001 Contact: 519-351-4959
Members: Jeff Emerson – Guitars, Vocals Ken Allgate – Bass, Vocals Grayling Church – Drums, Vocals
Notes: All three members sing lead vocals, which creates a lot of variety. The band plays mostly classic rock, but adds a bit of country, 50’s & 60’s, and modern rock, to try and please even the toughest audience.
Set list includesThe Rolling Stones, Trooper, Tom Petty, Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wilson Picket, C.C.R., Bob Seger, Wild Cherry, Eric Clapton, The Zack Brown Band, The Tragically Hip, Van Morrison, Steve Miller band, Steppenwolf, Grand Funk Railroad, Aerosmith, The Proclaimers, Nazareth, Kiss, Poison, Weezer, David Wilcox, ZZ Top, The Beatles, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Led Zepplin, Free, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Jason Maraz, & much more.
The band just finished a weekend at the Golden Tap in Chatham.
Band: The Myers Brothers and the Jubilaires Release: Self Titled Format: LP Album Year: 1968 Home: Chatham Ontario Genre: Country Music
Members: (L-R on album cover)
Roland Myers – Bass and vocal harmonies
Roland Lozon – Violin and second lead guitar
Oscar Demers – Lead guitar
Ray Trahan – Drummer
Ray Myers – Lead singer and rhythm guitar
This is the groups debut record and contains four original songs and six covers. Original songs are #2,3,7, and 9.
Songs: 01. Okie from Muskogee 02. Karen 03. Waiting 04. Down on the bayou 05. Country road 06. Kiss an angel good morning 07. Once in awhile 08. Woman woman 09. People People People 10. Me and Bobby McGee
Album notes:
The Myers Brothers and the Jubilaires have been together since 1960 and have enjoyed playing with such artists as: Bill Anderson, Jim Ed Brown, Hank Snow, David Houston, Skeeter Davis (back-up) , Merna Lorrie, and Charlie Walker (back-up). They also made a guest appearance on the Ernest Tubb Record Show in Nashville, Tennessee, The Group are all members of Local 582, A.F. of M. Chatham, Ontario.
The Myers Brothers
Ray Myers: Born Sept. 22, 1937 Roland Myers: Born August 2, 1940 The Myers Brothers, Ray and Roland, started singing together at the ages of ten and seven respectively. They won a talent contest in their early teens and then made regular guest appearances on the Casey Clarke Jamboree for two years. They formed their own country group which played many engagements around their home town of Chatham, Ontario. They joined the Jubilaires in 1960. Many memorable appearances followed including several on the CKNX Barn Dance out of Wingham, Ontario.
The Jubilaires
Oscar Demers: Born Nov. 9, 1942
Oscar started playing guitar at 13 years of age and has developed an unusual style of making a Spanish guitar sound like a steel guitar. Many people are puzzled at this steel sound until he shows them how it’s done. He is equally at home on bass and drums, and a fine vocalist as well.
Roland Lozon: Born Mar. 3, 1940
Roland started in guitar at 12 years of age and Violin a year later. He joined with Oscar in 1956 to form the original Jubilaires. His favourite Violinist is Frank Rogers and he also likes hearing and playing Chet Atkins. He played piano on this record.
Ray Trahan: Born Dec. 12, 1943
Ray started playing drums in High School. He joined the Jubilaires in 1963 and since then learned to do vocals and play rhythm guitar. Out of the five Ray is the only one who is sports minded, which varies from: Hockey, Baseball, Guitar, Cars, Golf etc.
(The album notes Ray as being the only “sports minded” member may be misleading, as others are also involved in sports.)
Artist: Ray Francis Release: An Olde Tyme Christmas Format: LP Album Year: 1973
Home: Chatham Ontario Canada Label: Marathon Music INC. Genre: Country Music Cover photo by: John Haslip
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
Liner Notes from Ray Francis.
Here is a selection of Christmas Songs that have long been favourites of mine year after year.
In this album you will experience the many moods of Christmas from Joy and Hope, Love and Laughter, to Peace on Earth and Good Will to all men.
I hope there is something for everyone in the twelve songs of Christams I have chosen for both the young and the old.
A Merry Christmas to one and all.
Ray Francis
Ray was born Feb. 9th 1931.
Album Cover: The sisters on the album cover are Angela (Front) and Denise (Back). They are the daughters of Roland Lozon (The Jubilaires).
Band: Big City Year: 2009 Home: Chatham kent Style: Country
Members:
TERRY ASHLEY – lead guitar and lead vocals
NICOLE SHAW- bass guitar and vocals
RANDY COYLE- drums, whistles and web mgr.
Additional Musicians:
Charlie St. Denis – fiddle and mandolin
Dale Rivard – steel guitar and vocals
Randy Vereecken – steel guitar
Frank Yankovich – guitar and vocals
The BIG CITY Band has become one of the most popular country acts in the Chatham-Kent and surrounding areas.
They have been performing together for over 10 years, to capacity crowds wherever they go.
The group works in three configurations, therefore being able to fit any kind of event format and budget. The first would be the trio, which consists of Terry, Nicole and Randy. The second version of the band, would be the four piece quartet, that work primarily in larger dance clubs, and the third is the five piece group, for major events and shows. This combo has done shows and festivals with Charlie Majors, Beverly Mahood and Thomas Wade, to mention a few.
You can catch the band at the Golden Tap or the CBD in Wallaceburg.
View their website and listen to the music at ‘Myspace’ here.
Sylvia Tyson in Quartette Artist: Quartette Release: In the Beauty of the Day Year: 1998 Chatham Connection: Sylvia is from Chatham-Kent
Who:
Sylvia Tyson
Caitlin Hanford
Cindy Church
Gwen Swick
With the untimely death of original member, Colleen Peterson, in 1996, Quartette elected to continue performing, and welcomed another musical friend, Gwen Swick, to the group. Gwen’s skills as a songwriter and vocal arranger carried the group to a new level as they prepared to record once again, and the result was “In The Beauty Of The Day,” released in 1998.
Quartette has received several Juno nominations, won a Canadian Country Music Award for best vocal collaboration, performed with major symphony orchestras across Canada, and recorded the CMT-TV special, “A Quartette Christmas.” They have also released two Christmas CDs, “It’s Christmas!” in 1996, and “I See A Star” in 2002, both of which are collections of traditional and original Christmas songs, and their Christmas shows have become a tradition with audiences across the country.
Tracks:
1. I Don’t Want to Cry
2. Me and My Love and I
3. Sentinel Crow
4. In the Beauty of the Day
5. Ask Me
6. All Things Can Change
7. E.Z.
8. I Don’t Believe I Do Believe
9. A Love That Just Won’t Stray
10. I Walk These Rails
11. Long Chain of Love
12. Rain on the Highway
SYLVIA TYSON
Sylvia Tyson first made her mark in the ’60s with the folk/country duo Ian & Sylvia which recorded 13 albums. Ian and Sylvia, who married in 1964, were at the forefront of the ’60s North American folk movement.
Following Ian & Sylvia’s breakup in 1977 as an act and as a couple, Sylvia released seven solo albums.
In the ’70s, Sylvia hosted CBC-Radio’s roots music series “Touch The Earth,” and hosted CBC-TV’s “Country In My Soul” series.
Sylvia received Canada’s highest civilian award, the Order of Canada in 1995. She is one of the founders, past president, and song honoree of the Canadian Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. She was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003.
Sylvia has completed her first book, a work of fiction.
