REGIONAL NEWS
Connected to your community
REGIONAL NEWS
Connected to your community
Paying tribute to one of Lanark County’s humblest country music legends, Harry Adrain Lifestyle – I arrived an hour early and still was just lucky to get one of the last seats. They just kept coming through the door, many carrying guitars and fiddles, all to show their appreciation and pay tribute to one of Lanark County’s humblest country music legends ... the one and only, Harry Adrain. This recognition of Harry’s musical gifts to the community was started by a comment made by Feryn Donaldson, widow of the late Raymie Donaldson during a tribute to Raymie held last year. She suggested people should be recognized while they were still with us and Terrie Bennett took this to heart and organized and hosted a memorable event at the Lanark Legion. As I listened to stories throughout the afternoon it became crystal clear how much people have enjoyed the musicianship offered by Harry and his friends over the years. He apparently was dragged out and encouraged by another Lanark legend, fiddler Kenny Jackson in about 1955, when they would play dances throughout the area...any hall that would have them. He’s been playing ever since. I’ve been in the area for 32 years now and Harry’s name has always been on one notice board or another, doing what he loves, as he says “just having fun.” I was told he was in a band in the late ‘60s called the Valley Cruisers
Friends and fellow musicians came together to pay tribute to Lanark County musician Harry Adrain recently at the Lanark Legion. Above, Harry, left, receives a token of appreciation and his wife, Eleanor, earned a #1 Fan award. Submitted photo
with Kenny Jackson on fiddle, Harry on guitar and vocal, Raymie Donaldson on lead guitar, and Gary Barr on rhythm and they played dances throughout the valley. They’d play three or so round dances and then Archie McNicol would call a square dance to packed halls in Westport, Watson’s Corners, McDonald’s Corners, Lanark, Perth, Smiths Falls, Clayton to name a few. They were apparently some wild times with sometimes as many pugilistic “dances” happening as musical ones. One of the things I’ve come to learn and appreciate as a Toronto-raised lad who didn’t grow up with country music is the strength and multigenerational support of it throughout this and surrounding regions. It’s like a ‘family’ of its own. Country shows sell out regularly, weekly jamborees happen, for example, throughout the area in Clayton, McDonald’s Corners, Smiths Falls and Perth and Har-
show their appreciation. Judi is also on the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame executive and managed to finally gain agreement from Harry to play at this year’s awards show. It was touching to hear young bucks like Henry Norwood and Brock McNamee acknowledge Harry’s ongoing support as they’ve developed their musical skills. Harry is a true family man. When his children Cheryl, Laurie and Debbie were young he stopped playing for awhile and every time I’ve seen him play I’ve heard him thank his number one fan, his loving wife of 55 years, Eleanor. Harry is from a large family, one of 14 kids and the incredibly large Adrain, Trainor, Norwood family reunions were legendary and saw music come from within the families. I’m always amazed how musicians can remember words and music to so many songs. A family friend tells of playing in
ry has been one of the many supporters of these for literally decades, no advertising necessary. Over and over I heard how he has been a host and facilitator at many events for what seems like forever. The monthly Old Time Fiddlers group at the Perth Legion is another example as well as the monthly birthday celebrations at Branch 244. He’s there, playing, “just for fun” as he says. His willingness to share the stage with whoever shows up and encourage those who are just starting out, along with his quiet, welcoming nature makes him a beneficial member of any group. At his recent tribute, it was evident by country players from out of our local area showing up to pay homage like Judi Moffatt and Barry Munro from Carleton Place, Johnny Spinks, Andy Bowes and Brad Scott of Almonte and I’m sure others, taking the time to be there to
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the band with Harry at one of these reunions, starting at 7 p.m. and playing through until 9 a.m. the next morning, with Harry never singing the same song twice. Cheryl and Laurie are carrying on this musical family’s tradition, each in their own styles. On another proud note, three extended family members, Henry Norwood, Shawn McCullough and Riq Turner were all successful in making the first cut of this year’s CBC Searchlight Contest, the same contest Henry ended up in the final four nationally last year. Yes, there are strong musical roots there. They all thank Harry for his encouragement. From practically the first note, the dance floor was filled throughout the afternoon and they had lots to dance to. There’s not enough space to list them all but the Lanark Legion house band Country Cousins, started things off and Terrie Bennett’s band Stockyard replaced them, joined by Linda Derouin with some vocals, Heather Johnson on fiddle, Albert and Patty on vocals, Flora Riley on vocals and accordion and later, Wade Foster on fiddle. Of course, Harry couldn’t sit still and he was joined by his old fiddling friend Kenny Jackson, Ed Ashton on bass and Tom Uhryniw on drums, all players who’ve played for various lengths of time in Harry’s band. Harry was presented with a lovely, suitably inscribed plate saying “In
appreciation for sharing your musical talent with all of us – 2014” by Terrie Bennett and Eleanor received an inscribed “#1 Fan” gift. It truly was a memorable day, honouring a well deserved gentleman whose sharing of his musical gifts is defined by his statement “just having fun.” Congratulations, Harry Adrain. When CKCU announcer, Chopper McKinnon died, veteran singer/ songwriter Terry Tufts stated at one of his memorials he was tired of going to functions like this and suggested we start telling and sharing our appreciation of others with them, while they’re still with us. I totally agree and, thanks to Feryn Donaldson’s suggestion locally and the efforts of Terrie Bennett, I hope a new tradition has been started and we see many more of these events
honouring those amongst us, as there are lots of deserving folks who give much to our communities. Upcoming events May 3: Cure SMA at Little Rock Farm 2 to 10 p.m. This is a wonderful fundraiser for the whole family to raise funds and awareness about SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). There will be horse rides, a mechanical bull, a lovely country dinner, a pie eating contest, a silent auction and, best of all, a dance featuring Arlene Quinn, Wade Foster, Henry Norwood, Eddie and Andy Bowes, The Burnside Sisters and DJ Rob Orr. For more information, call Jenna at 613-285-5152. Come on out and support a very worthwhile cause. Support live music everywhere.
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