Biography
Born circa 1922 in Nova Scotia, Canada, the performer died on 2 December 1987. Singing came to him in childhood, and by his early teens he had begun playing guitar. In the early 1950s he rose to prominence on radio, appearing frequently on CBC, Canada’s national broadcaster, as well as on multiple regional stations. He hosted and starred in his own program, typically fronting the Western Serenaders, and composed a substantial body of original material while also interpreting well-known country standards, all rendered with evident warmth. Among the titles he recorded are ‘At The End Of A Long Lonely Day’, ‘I Dreamed Of An Old Love Affair’, ‘The Letter Edged In Black’, ‘Harvest Rose Of San Antone’, ‘If I Had A Million Dreams To Dream’ and ‘I Don’t Want To Feel Blue’, ‘Have I Told You Lately That I Love You’, ‘Your Cheatin’ Heart’, ‘Near The Cross’ and ‘Rockin’ Alone In An Old Rockin’ Chair’. In 1999 he received posthumous induction into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame. (NB: Not to be confused with the Irish composer Bill Whelan of Riverdance fame.)