2013

Gary William Burgess

Gary William Burgess, was the son of the late Stella (Cameron) and Jack Burgess of Sussex, New Brunswick. He was born on February 16th, 1947 and had four brothers, one sister and one half-sister. Gary was married and had three children; Andrew, Susan and Johnny. Johnny passed away suddenly in 1978. Later in life he had another daughter, Jenny. In later years Gary shared his life with his partner Lucy, who supported his love for music. They were together for eleven years until he passed away on November 16th, 2011 at the age of 64.

 

Gary had two passions in life; driving 18 wheelers and music. Gary was sixteen years old when he picked up his first guitar and found true joy in music. The first talent show that he participated in was at the Old Keyhole just outside of Sussex in 1987 where he took second place. Throughout his music career he continued to be honoured with numerous awards. His passion for music motivated him to begin a group called, Country Corner Band. He also started the Sussex Corner Jamborees that still continue today.

 

The majority of his life in music was dedicated to singing and playing for charities, benefits and dances, as well as entertaining residents at nursing homes throughout New Brunswick. Gary had a gift for organizing shows. He had a heart of gold, often generously donating his talents to raise funds for cancer patients and victims of tragic events.

 

One of Gary's highlights in life was when he got to play in Saint John, NB at the Imperial Theatre. Another highlight was a trip in 2007 to theGrand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. There he got to stand where all the great entertainers had once stood and was able to have his photo taken on stage at the historic Ryman Auditorium. In 2002, Gary got to meet one of his favourite singers, George Jones, and he and Lucy had their picture taken with him as well.

 

As you can see, Gary was glad to be able to share his love of music with everyone and would sing and play guitar. Gary got to entertain people on a few bus tours as well.

 

A song, a smile, a helping hand is how Gary William Burgess will always be remembered. A voice now forever stilled.

 

 

Marc Durelle

Marc Durelle was born the youngest child in a musical family of fifteen in the small village of Baie Ste. Anne. His older siblings encouraged him to sing and play along with them almost from the time he could talk.

 

Marc's first public performance was at a school concert when he was eight years old. From then on he became a sought after entertainer performing at any and all local events.

 

After establishing residency in Saint John, Marc quickly became a mainstay on the music scene. It is on lead guitar that Marc is best known. He has worked with some of the best musicians in the music industry. In 2006, he was awarded Guitar Player of the Year at the Saint John Music Awards.

 

His many talents led him to work in his own recording studio to record, engineer, produce and play on his own works as well as those of other musicians.

 

Semi-retired, Marc enjoys lending his musical talents to charitable fundraisers, entertaining at Senior Citizens Homes, and is rarely seen without a musical instrument.

 

Marc's many talents add faith to the future of Country Music.

 

 

Larry Mattson

Larry was born in Hampstead NB, in 1935 and at age 10 moved to St. Stephen NB. There he eventually met the love of his life, Lillian, and together they moved to Burlington ON, to raise their family.

 

After singing for many years in the local Legions on a Saturday night, Larry penned his first album, “Sweet Words”, in 1978. It was recorded at Mercy Brother’s Studios in Elmira, ON, and produced by Dallas Harms. Releasing singles such as “I’ve Been Wondering”, “Queen of the Ball, “Brand New Same Old Feeling”, it was well received all across Canada. In 1979, Larry was named “Outstanding New Artist” at the R.P.M Big Country Awards in Toronto. His second album was released in 1985, “Worth Waiting For”, and had singles such as “Your Memories Linger” and “Loving You”.

 

He became a regular on Toronto’s CFGM radio program Opry North. Television appearances included; Tommy Hunter, Family Brown Country and Maritime Country in Halifax. Live performances included shows like Capital City Jamboree in Fredericton and country clubs all over Canada, all the while keeping his day job at Ford Canada in Oakville, ON.

 

A new venture stared in 1989, when Larry and his son John opened a country bar in Burlington, ON, appropriately named, Larry Mattson’s Home of Country Music. He led the house band with his daughter Laura and welcomed fellow Canadian artists as well as a few from south of the border to perform.

 

Larry and Lillian are proud parents to six children and fifteen grandchildren. Happily married since 1957, they retired to Barrie, ON, where he continues to sing the “sweet words” of country music.

 

 

Phil O'Donnell

Phil a Canada native, made his first trip to Nashville in 1983 and began developing his skills as a songwriter.

 

Officially making the move in 1994, O’Donnell has also worked as a musician, playing guitar with many artist including Craig Morgan, Jeff Carson, Kevin Denney, Johnny Lee and Sherrie Austin.

 

O’Donnell’s song writing credits include the #1 single, “Back When I Knew it All”, recorded by Montgomery Gentry, “Love Remembers” and “I Got You” (Craig Morgan), “Tougher Than Nails” (Joe Diffie), “Fore She Was Mama”, “She Won’t Be Lonely” (Clay Walker), Darryl Worley “Sounds Like Life to Me”. Also had songs cut by George Strait, Blake Shelton, Rodney Atkins, Darius Rucker, Chris Young, Josh Thompson, Justin Moore, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Trace Atkins, Matt Stillwell, Matt Mason, Mark Chestnut, Tracy Byrd, Billy Ray Cyrus, Travis Tritt, Gretchen Wilson, Randy Travis, James, Wesley, Ash Bowers, Joey & Rory, High Valley, Marty Raybon, Gabe Garcia, Guy Pinrod, Lila McCan, Kevin Denny, Trent Willman, Andy Griggs, Neal M’Coy, Tracy Lawrence, Sammy Kershaw, Cole Degges and The Lonesome, Chalee Tennison, John Conley, Ed Bruce, Jill King.

 

New activity includes three singles currently in the charts, George Strait “Give It All We Got Tonight”, Craig Morgan “More Trucks Than Car” and Montgomery Gentry “I’ll Keep the Kids”, along with cuts on Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton, Tate Stevens, and Chris Young albums.

 

In addition to having a successful career as a songwriter, O’Donnell also has served as producer for artists such as Craig Morgan, Josh Thompson, Keith Anderson, Matt Mason, Justin McBride, Chris Janson, Mark Wills, Tara Oram, Jason Blaine, High Valley, Steve Richard, Chancie Neal, and Davisson Bros. Band.” Among his many production credits is the six-week #1 country hit, “That’s What I Love About Sunday”(Craig Morgan), which was the most played country song of 2005.

 

 

Johnny Storm

Johnny Storm has possessed an onstage ability to communicate and hold his audiences. His clever and witty sense of humour plus his charming personality make him an overall great entertainer. Along with his wife of over forty-five years and three daughters, Johnny has succeeded in combing his passion for music along with raising a loving, caring and very close knit family.

 

Starting off at the tender age of nine, learning guitar back in his hometown of Kelowna, BC, John was brought up with a family which consisted of eight boys and three girls, all of whom had musical talents of their own. His father was a great accordion and violin player and his mother was gifted with a beautiful silky singing voice.

 

John kept up his musical talents which brought him to Toronto, ON, and then planting his roots in Saint John, NB.

 

The decision to come to Saint John was brought about by John working at the well known Holiday Inn, where he established himself and wowed audiences six nights a week for eleven straight years. He then worked another six nights a week for fifteen years at the Cave Steakhouse located in the Colonial Inn in downtown Saint John.

 

Over the years, John has also had the privilege of meeting some of the most gracious and well known entertainers such as, The Irish Rovers, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Faron Young, George Morgan and Porter Wagoner. Johnny has had the pleasure of working side by side and befriending the irreplaceable Pasty Cline, he also met Canadian icons such as Gordon Lightfoot, Gordon Pinsent, Lucille Starr and the famous Ronnie Prophet.

 

John continues to work various places but no matter where he is he will always give the ultimate performance. Ranging from picking and grinning a Marty Robbins song to belting out an old bluegrass favourite. From singing an easy love ballad or some ‘ole time rock n’ roll, Johnny loves bringing audiences to their feet.Johnny will always be a total entertainer.