Message From Faye Hanson
For many years, Aubrey Hanson had in mind the founding of a place that would honour “good old country music” and a special night to honour those from our province of New Brunswick who had played its music over the years. With the help of Ed McCoy who owned the Fredericton Sports Club at that time, Aubrey planned the first induction and dinner. The frames celebrating each inductee were to be displayed at the Sports Club.
Finally the day, July 2nd, 1983 arrived. There were many who supported the idea, and frankly, there were many who did not. Never one to be easily discouraged, Aubrey plunged on with the help of Ed and a little help from myself and arrangements were made.
That morning, Aubrey and I arrived at the Sports Club and made all the arrangements that could be made ahead of time. Finally, we finished, and after setting out the place cards on the horseshoe shaped table, we went home to rest. We did not know at that time if there would be any publicity from radio and TV. We knew that we could depend on our good friend, Gerry Taylor, of the Telegraph Journal, but other than Gerry, we weren’t sure what would happen. The tickets were not yet all sold and there was some uncertainty about whether the event would draw enough of a crowd to pay for the dinner, etc. It was a long afternoon!
Finally, it was time to leave for the Sports Club; what a wonderful surprise we had when we drove in! It was a sell-out and a great success! CBC, CTV and newspaper coverage were beyond our wildest expectations and the inductees expressed the thought that this was the greatest night they had had in the entertainment business.
That was the beginning from Aubrey’s and my perspective. We put a great deal into getting it going, as do those who are still working so hard to keep it going. Aubrey would have been very pleased with the way things have been kept going.
Good work all of you!
Faye Hanson,
Honorary Chair
