Carlton Showband

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.

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] As of 2018 Grew and White are the surviving members from the regular 1960s lineup.

Discography

Albums
Year Album Chart Positions CRIA
CAN Country CAN
1966 The Merry Ploughboy — — —
1967 The Carlton Showband — — —
A Night at the Pub — — —
1968 On Tour — — —
1969 Carlton Showband at the Pig 'n' Whistle — — —
1970 Time Gentlemen Please — — —
1971 Best of the Carlton Showband — 44 —
Carlton Showband Special — — —
1972 Carlton Country — 36 —
Sing Irishman Sing — 36 —
1973 By Request (If You're Irish) — — —
1975 Any Dream Will Do — 30 —
1976 One Up on the World — — —
1977 Here We Go Again 15 75 —
20 Gospel Favorites[4] — — Platinum
1978 Sixteen Most Requested — — —
1979 Hard Times 8 — —
1980 Back to the Sod 12 — —
1982 Three Steps to Heaven — — —
1985 Reflections — — —
1986 We Wish You a Merry Christmas — — —
1988 25th Anniversary — — —
1990 Catch the Spirit — — —
1993 25 All-Time Favorites — — —

Singles
Year Single Chart Positions Album
CAN Country CAN AC CAN
1966 "The Merry Ploughboy" — — 4 The Merry Ploughboy
"Up Went Nelson" — — 53
1972 "Roll It Around in Your Mind" 21 3 — Carlton Showband Special
1973 "Red Haired Mary" 49 12 —
"Old Johnny Bucka" — 77 — Carlton Country
1974 "There's Nothing Like a Newfoundlander" 33 — — Any Dream Will Do
1975 "Any Dream Will Do" 14 18 —
1976 "Harper's Ferry" 32 — — One Up on the World
"Sadie the Cleaning Lady" 20 18 —
1977 "More Than Yesterday" 24 — — Here We Go Again
1978 "A Melody You Will Never Forget" — 18 —
"Half Hour Later in Newfoundland" 25 — — Sixteen Most Requested
1979 "Hard Times (Comin' Down Again)" 10 — — Hard Times
"He Believes in Me" — 12 —

Awards and recognition
  • 1975: winner, Juno Award, Country Group or Duo of the Year
  • 1980: nominee, Juno Award, Country Group or Duo of the Year
  • 1981: nominee, Juno Award, Country Group or Duo of the Year
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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. "Community mourns the loss of multi-talented musician". Cape Breton Post, Feb 18, 2010
  4. "Canada aims to boost its own country talent". David Tarrell (18 October 1980). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 75–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. "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.
  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
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