John Lynch's expertise with an accordion has seldom been matched in New Brunswick . He was born in Saint John in 1923 and was only two when his family moved to Partridge Island where his father became keeper of the light.
His musical talent developed early. By his early school years he was a regular on Uncle Bill's show over CFBO, which later became CHSJ, and was also appearing regularly with a friend Ned Landry on Wasson's Warblers, a kids group which played Saint John theatres.
When he was eight he got the chance of a lifetime. Major Bowes came to Saint John in search of talent. The youthful Lynch so impressed him that he invited the Lynch family to New York so that John could perform over national radio from Madison Square Garden and after those appearances, suggested to John's parents they should move to the US metropolis.
“Move to New York ”, Bowes told John's parents, “this boy can support you all.”
Had they gone, John would certainly have become a household name across America . They decided not to move, however, and John began a lifelong career in Canadian musical circles. He appeared with Hal Lone Pine. Don Messer hired him as a stand-in for a tour. He was a member of Hank Snow's original Rainbow Ranch Boys; the Sunshine Boys and the Maritime Farmers. When he lived in Hamilton he played with such Canadian country stars as King Ganam, Gordon Tapp, Jack Kingston and Tommy Hunter.
He has returned to Saint John . He has played with Ned Landry and accompanied the former RCA recording artist at a prestigious Festival-By-The-Sea concert and are slated to perform again in the same festival. John's accordion is a unique chromatic made in Italy from his own design.
Mavis O'Donnell(McKay) was born at Porter Cove on the banks of the Miramichi River , the third child in a family of four.
From the age of three, her father encouraged her to sing and entertain anyone who would listen. Much later, her older brother, Alden, gained recognition as a gifted songwriter; the singer and the songwriter proved to have magic formula.
At the age of 10 Mavis and her cousin were introduced on Bud Brown's “Capital Co-Op Jamboree” as the first place winners in a singing contest they had entered. Later she became a regular performer on the “Capital City Jamboree” with television coverage throughout the Atlantic provinces and the state of Maine .
When Mavis agreed to record two of her brother Alden's, Miramichi Folk Songs, her popularity led to hundreds of engagements throughout New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. Her appearances as special guest vocalist with the country band “Dungarvon Country” led to appearances at night clubs, festivals and provincial exhibitions, but her popularity grew as a solo performer of heart-felt ballads and catchy up-tempo tunes.
The recording of “Hat Off to the Miramichi” and its subsequent success made her an Ambassador of Tourism from the Miramichi. She has represented New Brunswick on numerous occasions from the Dominion Conference of Women's Institutes to “Conclave ‘85” in Newfoundland .
Mavis' ability to capture her audience and make every song she sings an individual entertainment has won her a special place in the hearts of those who have seen her on stage.
Lorene Allen brings with her more than 30 years of professional experience in country music. Born at Newcastle Bridge , she moved to Fredericton in the mid 50's, entered and won a talent contest on the Capital Co-Op Jamboree, where she became a frequent performer. At the same time she embarked on an extensive and varied career with performances on stage, radio and television.
Her radio credits include many performances with the Diamond Trio on CFNB, CBC and KHJ in Fredericton. She was a regular on the Aubrey Hanson Show and has appeared many times on stage with him. She has appeared on television with the Bunkhouse Boys on CKCW, Moncton , the Capital City Jamboree in Fredericton , televised by both the Maine Public Broadcasting Network and the Atlantic Television Network.
She has become an accomplished guitar and bass player and has organized and been a member of dance bands, including “The Gal and Guys” and “Country Eastern” which played together for a ten year period.
In the spring of 1987, Lorene realized a life-long dream when she completed her first album on cassette entitled “Thoughts and Feelings” which contain ten of her own songs, and won the admiration of columnist Gerry Taylor who wrote: “It is far more enjoyable album than most of the high-cost Nashville products I hear nowadays. This is due to the crisp, clear sound, the quality of the songs, Lorene's soulful interpretation of love's many moods and her lyric story telling.” The new album led to an invitation to audition in Nashville for the Nashville Network Show, “You Can Be a Star”.
Lorene and her husband Fred, spend their winters in Florida where she has attracted a large circle of country music fans in the Fort Myers Beach area. Her children- Cathy, Peggy, Brian, Michael and Lorena, reside with the families in Fredericton.
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