Stan Taylor a celebrated star of national TV and radio was born in Truro, NS, in 1934. Later his family moved to Yarmouth County. He is a self-taught musician who plays guitar, fiddle, bass and mandolin among other instruments. In 1946, at age 12, he played his first dance at a small log cabin in Brenton, NS.
In 1948 Stan moved to Kitchener, Ontario to play on radio CKCR and over CJOY in Guelph as well as other stations in the area. He joined the army in 1952, taking a three year leave from music, but back in civilian life in 1955 resumed his radio career over stations in Ontario, Vermont and New York states, appearing on many early pioneer TV shows in the same areas. He moved to Stanstead, Quebec, a year later and appeared regularly on radio and TV in St. Albans and Newport, Vermont, just across the border and in Platsburg, New York.
In the fall of 1956 Stan joined Smiley Willette's band which operated out of Platsburg and added Minnesota venues to his itinerary. He moved back to Kitchener, Ontario, in the fall of 1957, married and resumed his music career there, playing mainly clubs, shows and dances.
In 1963 he formed a band, the Rhythm Masters and moved them to Toronto where they became the house band for the Edison Hotel, corner of Yonge & Gold Streets, for four years. They left there in 1967 to become the mainstay of the CKWX Barn Dance in Wingham Ontario. By 1969 he was working with a trio playing air bases in NB and NS and later, invited, joined the cast of CBC-TV's Countrytime with Myrna Lorrie, Vic Mullin and Don Tremaine for two years. Then it was back to the trio on a coast to coast circuit, working with over 120 different artists from Nashville, California, Florida and Wheeling West Virginia, while releasing four albums. Those artists included Tex Ritter, Lefty Frizzel, Hank Snow, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Mel Tillis, Ray Price, Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, Marty Robbins, Dick Curless, Faron Young and many others.
In 1988 Stan settled in Chatham, NB, with his wife and their...collectively... ten children and has confined his music almost entirely to the Miramichi area ever since.
Hughie Harris Yorke was only 49 at his death in March 2002 but he left an indelible mark on the Fredericton music scene.
Born in Parrsboro, NS on March 30, 1953, he exhibited unusual music and singing talents as a child and while still in high school formed a band Rumour Has It to play teen venues and high school dances. A few years later he founded the country club band Saddletramp which played a circuit of Maritime venues for several years and recorded. He also joined friends, Bob Murphy (of Big Buffalo), Johnny Gold and Matt Minglewood to play special events.
In the early 80's Hughie moved to Fredericton to join Gerry McCarty & Smokin' Gun, and then Bub's Brown's Thirsty Rangers. He, also, became captain and chief entertainer aboard the Pioneer Princess, the St. John River Boat that delighted tourists by skirting that great river's famed scenic shores. When the Princess dropped anchor its last time Hughie became a popular award winning car salesman by day, first at Wood Motors Ford and later Sutherland Mazda. By night, however, he was still an entertainer making music magic whenever and wherever he could. At the time of his death he was still playing in the Thirsty Rangers and with his friend Gerry McCarty.
A songwriter as well as a singing guitar picker, Hughie recorded his Ain't Drinkin' Whiskey at Scorpio/Nova and other original songs at Outreach Studios. Those included These Old Eyes which received a lot of radio air play in the Maritimes. His greatest thrill, however, he always said, was a gig fronting Nashville's stuttering star Mel Tillis! As well as his band work Hughie was a regular on NB Country Showcase and at Country Junction. His rock solid personality and laid-back humour charmed audiences and customers alike, his talents as a singer and musician earned him the respect of a multitude of fans.
Hughie's other great love...apart from his daughter, Laura....was racing. Forbidden to drive race cars because of a heart condition, he became the voice of the NB International Speedway, doing colour commentary, interviews and hosting a popular NBIS radio program That's Racing. His last concert was at Country Junction just ten days before his death.
was only 49 at his death in March 2002 but he left an indelible mark on the Fredericton music scene.
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