Artist: Lee Hurst
Year: 1976
Home: Windsor
Currently Resides: Chatham
Lee is curretly headlining at the Kingsway.
Notes: Lee ejoyed success with (A Whole Lotta Your Love) a 45 released in 1973 on A&M Records of Canada.
Lee Hurst guest stars on “Music Makers” April 1st, 8P.M., Channel 9 C.B.E.T.
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click pic to enlarge
Band: Melody Ramblers
Home: Chatham Ontario
Year: 1979
Band: 1953-1994
Style: Country Music Covers
Members:
(Left to right)
Dan St.Pierre – Guitar
Rene Brosseau – Bass
Dennis Smith – Pedal Steel
Michelle Wright – Vocals
Bradley J. Preston – Vocals, Acoustic
Larry St. Pierre – Drums
If you are from Chatham-Kent Ontario, then chances are you know that country music star MICHELLE WRIGHT got her start with the Melody Ramblers.
A very young Michelle was added to the band to help diversify the band, giving them the ability to perform songs by female country artists and relieve Brad Preston of the long nights of solid vocal duties. Michelle was new to the scene but developed quickly, later leaving to join a band an hour away, across the Canadian border in Detroit.
The group’s original line-up formed in 1953, and has included the top players from the area for the better part of 40 years. This 1979 line-up was interesting because it included many members who’s talents caught the eye of the international country music scene.
You can read up on individual members or the bands history through the years, by going to our home page and scrolling down to the list of bands/artists from Chatham.
Photo: Given to the Chatham Music Archive with permission for the Chatham Music Archive, from the St. Pierre family. Thank you to the St. Pierre family for helping us present the rich deep history of the Melody Ramblers in our community.
Demo Kid note 2010: While doing the research on the group, it was interesting to find out that my Uncle Eugene played in this band later on. In 2009, I was introduced to Rene (was the bass player for the band at the time) who is now one of the most popular pedal steel players in Canada. He played on our home demos (with Jesse V) and was just simply so pro and friendly that I was amazed I got the chance to record with a musician with such a love and experience of music.
Email your pics & info to: chatham_music_archive@hotmail.com
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Band: Jack Austin Trio
Year: 1970
Home: Chatham
Genre: Popular cover band
Line-Up featured.
Jack Austin
Ron Baldwin
John Larsen
Anyone with pics or info, please email:
chatham_music_archive@hotmail.com
Click on above photos to enlarge them
Band: River Road
Year: 1983
Home: Chatham Ontario
Genre: Uptown Country Music
Members:
Ray Violot – Keyboards and Guitar
Mike Crone – Bass
Dan Noordermeer – Guitar
Ron Baldwin – Drums
River Road performed at the Kingsway allot and were all highly skilled players.
At about this time, Ray began to slow down with the band performances and took on single shows in piano bars. Ray was very talented and played several instruments. He began playing in the Chatham Concert band in 1985 playing the stand up sting bass, percussion, and guitar. He also became busy with University.
Mike Crone would join Manpower in 1985, who would become one of the longest running bands in Chatham.
Dan chose to leave town to pursue music full time. He eventually joined Jeff Healey’s blues band touring Europe and elsewhere. He was the second guitar player on a couple Jeff Healy CD’s released before Jeff’s tragic loss to cancer in 2008. Dan was also in the house band at Jeff Healy’s bar in Toronto which saw famous special musical guests almost every weekend. Noted as one of the best bar bands in the world for their diversity and skill in musicianship, Dan’s skill has landed him some of the finest jams with many stars.
2007 – Dan Noordermeer in the Jeff Healey Blues Band
If video does not appear, watch it here.
2009 Update: Guitarist extraordinaire Dan Noordermeer continues to dazzle audiences with his formidable talents. Originally from Chatham, Dan now resides in Hamilton. Dan is known for his Samson-like mane of hair and his wicked sense of humour. Unlikely as it seems, Dan was a full time country musician for many years before joining the band. But for those familiar with his playing it’s no surprise, since he has an uncanny ability to play every style of music with incredible authenticity, passion and virtuosity. Dan Noordermeer has been with The Dave Murphy Band for almost a decade.
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