Carlton Showband

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The Carlton Showband is a Canadian musical group of the Irish genre. [1] Formed in Brampton, Ontario in November 1963, the band initially named themselves the Carlton Danceband in reference to Toronto's Carlton Street where Maple Leaf Gardens was located.

Contents

History

The initial recording lineup included 5 musicians from Ireland: Chris O'Toole (leader), Christy McLaughlin, Mike Feeney, Seamus Grew, Sean McManus, and Fred White (the lone Canadian, from Nova Scotia). By their second album release, Irishmen Johnny Patterson and Mitch McCoy were added. The band's album, The Merry Ploughboy, was the first Canadian album to be released on cassette tape. [2]

McCoy departed after 2 years, replaced by Bob Lewis (of Nova Scotia). [3] This would be the usual lineup from about 1968 through the mid-70s. The band released a number of albums through the RCA label, including Gospel Favourites, which sold more than 200,000 copies. [4] [3]

In 1967 the group became the regular band on The Pig and Whistle , a CTV television musical variety show that continued to air until 1977, [5] and in 1969 they recorded an album of music from the show, Carlton Showband at the Pig 'n' Whistle. [6] The band performed frequently in Newfoundland. [7] [8] In 1971 they toured the Maritimes and won a Gold Leaf award for their album Best of the Carlton Showband. [9] [3]

Despite the end of their regular national television series exposure, the band continued to perform; McManus died 1989;. In 1996 the group disbanded, although Fred White continued to do the occasional show using the Carlton Showband name. Between 2000 and 2010 the group remained inactive. O'Toole died in 2005; Patterson in 2007; Lewis in 2008. In 2010, White, Aaron Lewis, [10] Larris and Robert Benoit, Greg Donaghey of Sion Mills, Northern Ireland, and Roddie Lee revived the group for a reunion tour. [5]

Feeney died in 2011, and McLaughlin in 2014. [11] White is the lone surviving member from the regular 1960s lineup. Seamus Grew passed away July 2023 from a 4 year battle with ALS. Gregory Donaghey soon followed 2024, had a service in both toronto and back home on the east coast.

Discography

Albums

YearAlbumChart PositionsCRIA
CAN CountryCAN
1966The Merry Ploughboy
1967The Carlton Showband
A Night at the Pub
1968On Tour
1969Carlton Showband at the Pig 'n' Whistle
1970Time Gentlemen Please
1971Best of the Carlton Showband44
Carlton Showband Special
1972Carlton Country36
Sing Irishman Sing36
1973By Request (If You're Irish)
1975Any Dream Will Do30
1976One Up on the World
1977Here We Go Again1575
20 Gospel Favourites [4] Platinum
1978Sixteen Most Requested
1979Hard Times8
1980Back to the Sod12
1982Three Steps to Heaven
1985Reflections
1986We Wish You a Merry Christmas
198825th Anniversary
1990Catch the Spirit
199325 All-Time Favourites

Singles

YearSingleChart PositionsAlbum
CAN CountryCAN ACCAN
1966"The Merry Ploughboy"4The Merry Ploughboy
"Up Went Nelson"53
1972"Roll It Around in Your Mind"213Carlton Showband Special
1973"Red Haired Mary"4912
"Old Johnny Bucka"77Carlton Country
1974"There's Nothing Like a Newfoundlander"33Any Dream Will Do
1975"Any Dream Will Do"1418
1976"Harper's Ferry"32One Up on the World
"Sadie the Cleaning Lady"2018
1977"More Than Yesterday"24Here We Go Again
1978"A Melody You Will Never Forget"18
"Half Hour Later in Newfoundland"25Sixteen Most Requested
1979"Hard Times (Comin' Down Again)"10Hard Times
"He Believes in Me"12

Awards and recognition

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References

  1. "Ottawa discovers the showband". The Ottawa Journal, Ottawa, Canada, January 18, 1969, Page 57
  2. "Quality 1st Canada Firm into Duping". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 14 October 1967. pp. 76–. ISSN   0006-2510.
  3. 1 2 3 "Community mourns the loss of multi-talented musician". Cape Breton Post, Feb 18, 2010
  4. 1 2 "Canada aims to boost its own country talent". David Tarrell (18 October 1980). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 75–. ISSN   0006-2510.
  5. 1 2 "Carlton Showband Legacy continues". Journal-Post. Ryan Quigley Feb 28, 2012
  6. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (21 December 1968). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 54. ISSN   0006-2510.{{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  7. Bob Hallett (2010). Writing Out the Notes. Insomniac Press. pp. 20, 28. ISBN   978-1-55483-014-5.
  8. Canadian Folklore. Folklore Studies Association of Canada. 1991. p. 68.
  9. "Showband gets Leaf Award". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 14 October 1967. p. 76. ISSN   0006-2510.
  10. "N.S. Country Hall of Fame recipients announced" Archived 2018-06-19 at the Wayback Machine . THE CHRONICLE HERALD, April 13, 2018
  11. November 15, 2014 Toronto Star