Hazel Marie Robertson Hazel Marie Robertson (nee Morrissey) was born in Moncton, but moved with her family to Saint John shortly after. While still quite young she developed an exceptionally fine voice and was encouraged to sing by her father, Norman Morrissey. Soon she was taking part vocally in school events, then house parties, local celebrations, and, later, social clubs. In 1967 she married and for sometime abandoned any thought of a music career. However, in 1980, she moved to Hampton and was invited to sing as a guest at a number of venues with Stewart Tays and his band But she was still relatively unknown outside of clubs, until 1993 when she was asked to perform at a Hampton Rising Star Coffee House and so delighted the hosts, Val and Barry MacDonald and the night’s audience, that she was brought back for several encores. Encouraged by other successful appearances at that venue, a year later, she formed her own band Eastbreeze, to play local venues that led to star billing at several festivals. After Eastbreeze, as she became more gospel oriented, Hazel formed other musical alliances, His Choice and later, Hazel Marie & Friends. In the mid-90s she joined the cast of Rick’s Old Tyme Country Jamboree, first held at Samuel de Champlain School, then, as their audience grew, the Imperial Theatre, a move that won her a vast new legion of fans. Hazel has appeared on many benefits and was a guest on such popular shows as the Valley Jamboree, out of Sussex. Eventually, after recording her third album, she began to organize and host her own shows at Cody’s, Hampton, Black’s Harbour, Havelock and other New Brunswick centers, performing at such venues as The Playhouse and Country Junction in Fredericton and Harbour Station, Saint John. She also made many TV and radio appearances throughout the Maritimes and has performed at from 50 to 68 events annually. She received a distribution of her albums across Canada, the US and Europe through CCMA, and has been featured on two compilation discs: “Bluegrass Volume 4” which also featured Patty Loveless, Stella Parton, and others getting airplay on 83 bluegrass stations in the USA and Europe; and “Christian Country Volume 40” featuring various artists and put into rotation play on 90 country gospel radio stations across the US and Europe.
Gerry Robichaud Born at St. Paul, NB, while very young, Gerry Robichaud was taught fiddling rudiments by his mother, the former Elise Cormier, and a neighbour Oscar Melanson. He was soon appearing at kitchen parties with other musical members of his family. When he was ten he made his first radio appearance with the Full of Pep Boys on a Moncton station with a cast that included Angus Robichaud, Marg Osburne, Maurice Bolyer, Jimmy Chapman and others. Don Messer’s radio broadcasts during those years also added immeasurably to his repertoire and influenced his style of playing. In 1948 Gerry moved to Minto to work in the mines but soon left for employment with the CPR. Shortly after, he joined The Lone Star Playboys, who appeared weekly on a show Wake Up New Brunswick over CFNB Radio, then moved to Moncton to join the 1950 Bunkhouse Boys entourage on CKCW Radio and appear live with them throughout the Maritimes. In 1955 Gerry reluctantly left his beloved NB to seek work in Boston. One evening he took his fiddle to the Franco-American Victory Club, more popularly referred to as the ‘French Club’ and played with a cousin Leo Paul Bourque during the evening’s entertainment. The club’s president was so impressed by Gerry’s musicianship he asked him to return the following Saturday, which led to a weekly contract, one that was resigned annually for 41 years. In 1960 Gerry returned briefly to Canada and recorded an album for the Banff Rodeo label through a deal worked out for him by an influential friend, Winston Scotty Fitzgerald. It was an LP that won him a legion of admirers Canada-wide. Winning a New England Fiddle Championship resulted in an invitation for him to compete in the US Nationals and a contract with Voyager Records. After 40 some years and six album releases, Gerry still plays dances, accompanied by his brother Bobby in the US and Max Richards during long summers back in NB. His recordings all have contained NB content reflecting his love for his native province. Album titles like Maritime Dance Party and Traditional Fiddling from New Brunswick have helped spread our province’s name internationally.
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