2014

Brent Buchanan

Brent Buchanan was born in Sussex on Sept. 19, 1968. He graduated from Fredericton High School in 1987 and enrolled in the Atlantic Broadcasting Centre in Sept. 1992, graduating in June 1993.That August he was hired to fill an internship at C 98 in Saint John, moving from there to country station CKHJ in Fredericton on the midnight to 6 a.m. shift. His only knowledge of country music at the time was it was the genre played on the Dukes of Hazard and Hee Haw weekly TV series.

 

But country music, Brent found, to be very infectious music and he came to love it, to realize it was about real life situations and emotional truths. He bought it big time. On landing that station's coveted morning host position in 1998 his first involvement was with a show, Aubrey's Picks, where he shared mikes with NBCMHF founder Aubrey Hanson weekly and eventually became involved with some of Aubrey's music projects. In the 1990's Brent emceed many United Way fundraisers organized by Aubrey and emceed the 1999 NBCMHF Gala Inductions. Over the years, Brent has hosted countless country music shows and benefits from Minto to Woodstock to Fredericton. Also, for the past ten years he has been The Voice of the N.B. Country Music Showcase at The Playhouse and has played a major role in organizing some of the area's most successful country music festivals and events including county fairs, telethons, CD release parties and multitudes of country music concerts including two events close to his heart in which he plays a critical role every year: the Fred Fulton Tribute and annual Minto Country Music Wall of Fame.

 

Brent has interviewed such stars as George Jones, Mel Tillis, Charley Pride, Bill Anderson, Ray Price, Travis Tritt, Paul Brandt, Lorrie Morgan, Terri Clark and a myriad of other big names in country music, past and present. Brent also, since 2011, hosts a very popular and important self-produced weekend radio show Vintage Country which plays country classics from the1960's through the 80's and has featured over 130 different area musicians in The Local Spotlight part of it. Brent and his wife Rosie have a daughter Emma and son James.

 

 

Robert (Bobby) Cleghorn

Bobby was born in Fredericton but grew up at Durham Bridge near the beautiful Nashwaak River, inspiring him to write Nashwaak River Skies, about those simpler times with family and friends.

 

He was barely old enough to hold a guitar when he began performing with his Aunt Shirley at local events. During high school years he played guitar and piano in bands. Later his instrument of choice became the piano. Bobby's long career has touched the lives of musicians like Dwane Drost who claims he was an inspiration.

 

While still young he appeared often on the Capital City Jamboree and later the N.B. Country Showcase. He has played and sung with several bands since including The Silvertones, 25th Senate, The Alley Cats, Brick Mill, Medicine Man, Bobby and the Hawks, the BCB (Bob Cleghorn Band) and presently Where Rivers Meet with his son Jason Cleghorn. Also in that group are friends Dwane Drost, Bernie Clarkson, Lorrie Yerxa, Rick Morehouse and Jim Hadley. Those who played with him in earlier bands include Tom Blizzard, Dave Nightingale, Wayne Hachey, Bill Lamey and Jack Johnston.

 

A song he wrote, Cajun Stars, won first place on a 1980 Opry North radio program's nationwide songwriting competition and was recorded by Matt Minglewood. It was often heard on CBC-TV show Degrassi Jr. High. In 1982 a humorous bit of social commentary song of his, There'll Be No Candy For Christmas, became a Maritime novelty sensation. He then released a mini album which included, Nashwaak River Skies and Lucky Old Hound Dog. Joan Kennedy, Joey Knight, Debbie Roy and Sam Johnston have all recorded songs from his pen.

 

Bob has performed on many benefits and often volunteers his talents to fundraisers for charitable organizations. A song he wrote for the Nashwaak Lion's Club became a theme of their Hugs Not Drugs program. He continues to play piano and sing each Sunday at his church. Although piano and guitar are still his instruments of choice he can play almost any instrument, and is a marvellous solo and harmony singer. He and his wife, Anne, have two children, Jason and Lori.

 

 

Bill Lamey

The late William Lamey was born in Fredericton in 1947 and grew up in Upper Durham. Bill, as he was known by the Maritime music community, enjoyed a 50 year career as an accomplished singer and musician. Although he played drums, pedal steel, fiddle and guitar, he was most renowned for his distinctive voice and singing style. Bill loved to play music with anyone who had an instrument or mike in hand, but he most enjoyed accompanying his own family informally or at social affairs.

 

During his teenage years, Bill and his brother Jack, along with a few other young local musicians, made a name for themselves and were sought after to entertain at dances and events throughout their own community. Bill’s first big public appearance came across the airwaves on a broadcast of the Capital Co-op Jamboree, aired live Saturday night's on Fredericton's CFNB radio. He sang Leroy Van Dyke's “The Auctioneer” and emcee Bud Brown remarked, “We need to have this young man back!” Bill would make several more appearances on the Jamboree, as well as on Aubrey Hanson’s early Saturday morning radio show on the same station.

 

In the 70’s, Bill and his band, “The Establishment”, had their own weekly radio show on CFNB. He played lead guitar, fiddle, and shared lead singing spotlights with his cousin, Wayne Estey. The show was emceed by his brother, Jack. In the decade that followed, Bill would tour the Maritimes as a singer and lead guitarist with Jim Burn’s Capital City Jamboree.

 

Over the years, Bill became the front man and an integral part of several bands in central New Brunswick. Realizing that his talent could be used to help others, he spent countless hours organizing community fundraising events and enjoyed being invited to perform regularly at church services, church halls, dances, and concert stages throughout this province.

 

 

Stephen "Steve" Eldon Lyons

Steve was born and raised in Fredericton and spent summers at the family cottage in Doaktown. His family were musical and his neighbourhood was rich in musical talent. His next door neighbour was Duane Pond of The Diamond Trio and Aubrey Hanson, founder of the NBCMHF, lived and worked nearby. They inspired and shaped his musical interests from an early age.

 

While still young, Steve performed in the Fredericton, Oromocto, Boiestown and Doaktown areas. His first band was a local act The Persuaders. After graduating from Fredericton High and Moncton Community College, Steve moved to Saint John. The first band he played with in the Port City was Jim Morton & The Countrymen. Steve then formed a Fredericton band Big City, then joined Marc Durelle & 3's Company. He formed a band Highway 40, popular in southern N.B. for many years. They opened for Freddy Fender at a Saint John concert. In 1989, Steve joined Randy Vail & Lost Highway, performing with them for over 20 years. Steve continues to perform with friend and singing partner Joyce Boone and alternatively Carol Perry and still organizes and hosts community fundraisers and benefit concerts with many friends and fellow musicians. Over the years Steve has performed with many of the industry's finest musicians including members of the NBCMHF.

 

Although he'd written many songs, it was not until the advent of digital recording and electronic distribution that Steve started recording his own music in his own sound studio. He has since released several albums of all original songs, including: Hurtin' On Old Memories, White Wine and Coloured Roses, Santa I Hate Snow and Home. He also released a couple of singles. His songs have been well received on national and international radio stations. His song, Just Can't Face The Truth was included on Canadian promotional CD TEASouth Volume 9.

 

 

Austin McGinnis

Austin is the middle cog in three generations of singing performers in New Brunswick. Austin, born at the Sussex Hospital on February 11, 1953, grew up in Norton and is the son of the late Earl and Beatrice McGinnis.

 

Austin started singing Irish songs at the age of 10 with his father, Earl, and his uncle, and went on to learn to play the guitar at age 16. Music was a huge part of Austin's life while growing up and he, his father and uncle often performed at country variety shows and family gatherings. Austin's early influences were Merle Haggard and John Denver.

 

Austin played in various country jamborees and benefits throughout the 1970's and with Harold O'Donnell, Randy Vail, Phil O'Donnell and Earl McGinnis at country dances. He formed the country band “High Noon” with Danny O'Donnell and Steven Sear in 1979 and they played night clubs into the 80's. Also in the 1980's, he helped Randy Vail form the “Dark Hollow Band” to play concerts and dances throughout N.B.

 

In the 1990's, he played in the band “Renegades” with Bob Crawford, Joe Herrod, Dave McLong, Steve Sear and fiddler Wilfred Hourihan, performing many benefits and country shows around the Sussex area.

 

In 2003 he started singing with his son Darren and father Earl at various shows. They made a terrific trio bringing audiences to their feet wherever they played. In 2005 Austin joined the “Crawford Brothers”: Winston, Bobby, Frank and Richard along with Terry Gale in an Irish flavoured country band.

 

Austin considers his biggest achievement as being Darren McGinnis' father. One of his greatest joys was being on stage at the Atlantic Exhibition in Saint John with the “Lost Highway Band” the night his father Earl, who was 84 at the time, got a standing ovation after singing Waltz Across Texas.

 

Over the years, Austin has often been a guest on Gary Morris' Valley Jamborees, and many benefits and shows headed by Randy Vail.

 

Austin's father Earl, who died in July, 2009 is a posthumous 2014 inductee to the Greater Sussex Sports Hall of Fame. Austin’s son, Darren, has spent some time in Nashville in recent years.