Alberta Country and Western Artists

Alberta Country and Western Artists

Known as "Canada's Cowboy Troubadour", Stu Davis was born David Stewart in Boggy Creek, Saskatchewan in 1921. At 18, he and his brother performed, and sang as "The Harmony Boys" on the CKCK radio station in Regina. During WWII, Stu left the radio to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1945, he moved to Calgary and performed on CFCN radio station, and also at the Calgary Stampede. In 1949, Stu signed with CJCA radio in Edmonton to host Country Corral. In the 1950's he hosted a variety of television shows including the Stu Davis Show, Swing Your Partner, Rope Around the Sun, and the Red River Jamboree. In the 1960's, Stu took up real estate management and moved to Sherwood Park, Alberta. In 1993, he was inducted into the Alberta Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Stu Davis died in 2007. Scotty Stevenson was born in Onaway Alberta, but grew up in Lac St. Anne, Alberta. In 1950, he formed a band in Edmonton called the Rainbow Valley Boys. While in Edmonton, he signed with a local promoter and started on the radio. He also hosted the CFRN television show, "Songs of the Saddle" in Edmonton. He is most well known for his songs, "The Oilman's Lament", "My Pine Needle Sweetheart", and "Dear Little Alice We Still Talk of You". Lucille Starr was born Lucilee Savoie in St. Boniface, Manitoba in 1938. She was raised in Port Coquitlam, and Muilladrvilee, BC. In her teens, she sang with the French ensemble "Les Hirandelles". In 1954, she began her singing career in Vancouver. In 1956, she formed a duo named the "Canadian Sweethearts" with her husband Bob Regan. The two moved to L.A. to work with the record labels Epic, and A&M. Known for her distinctive yodel, Starr provided the yodel for the character "Cousin Pearl" on the U.S. television program The Beverly Hillbillies. In 1977, she and Regan divorced, and Lucille became a soloist. As a solo act she appeared with Hank Snow and Wilf Carter. From1989 to 1990, she co-hosted "Canadian Country Express" on CHRO-TV in Pembroke, Ontario. In 1987, she was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Fame. In 2005, she was an honorary inductee into Canada's Aboriginal Music Hall of Fame. She is best known for the "French Song"; the single sold 1 platinum and six gold records. Vic and Lennie Seibert performed on the CFRN television show "Songs of the Saddle" in Edmonton. William Dixon Hilton (Dixie Bill Hilton) was born in Saskatchewan. At 16 he performed for CKBI radio in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. During WWII, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the war, he formed the Calgary Range Riders. Dix Hilton recorded on the Aargon recording label. King Ganam (Ameen Sied) was born in 1914, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Known for fiddle playing acumen, he formed the band Sons of the West in 1942 in Edmonton, Alberta. Throughout the 1940's he performed on CBC radio show Alberta Ranch House. Throughout the early part of the 1950's, Ganam toured throughout Canada. From 1954- 1955, he hosted his own CBC radio show. From 1956- 1959, he hosted CBC TV's Country Hoedown with Gordie Tapp. In 1961, he hosted the King Ganam Show on CTV. In 1962, he moved to California, but regularly returned to perform in Canada. Throughout his career, Ganam recorded on RCA's Bluebird and Camden labels. In 1989, he was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. In 1990, he received the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Legend Award. King Ganam died in 1994. Keray Regan was born Oscar Melvin Fredrickson in 1921 in Peace County, Alberta. His brother married Lucille Starr. He is best known for his gold recording "Home by the Frazer". He recorded on Aragon Records. He moved to Peace County, Alberta after retiring from music. Ivan A. "Buddy" Reynolds was born in North Vancouver in 1927. In 1947 he performed and sang on CJIB Radio Okanagan Valley. The song "Okanagan Valley" became a hit. In 1951, he began a cross-country tour, and was billed as the "Cariboo Ranger". He recorded on Aragon Records, and is best known for his songs "Spruce Bug" and "Okanagan Valley".