Joe MacDonald was born on January 2, 1931 at Bay Side, Northumberland County, NB. He played for his first dance in 1940 at the only Vocational High School in NB at the time. He fell asleep several times while playing, as a dance was to go from dusk to dawn, lucky to get paid one dollar for the night. He played with his father, Mont MacDonald. In fact, the whole family played. He played with anyone that could play a tune. His brother Elmer is a great fiddler and guitar player. Joe himself plays any instrument that has strings. His favourites are the banjo and guitar. The late Maurice Beaulieu showed him how to play the banjo at the old Ferry Road Hall.
While in the army, stationed at Petawawa, Ontario, he played with Matilda Murdock’s late brother K.D. Kelly and the Ottawa Valley Boys. They played Chalk River, Petawawa, Pembroke, etc. K.D. was one of the best in his time. Joe played with the Irving Orchestra under Jack Irving. In 1960, Joe formed his own band and called it the BJ’s. It got its name from all the Bobs and Joes in the band.
Joe played with many artists that came and went at CFB Chatham. Everyone wanted to play in Joe MacDonald’s band. In 1975, he renamed the band “Black Diamond”, and it remained as Black Diamond until he retired from the band. He has done sound for many events including the Irish Festival for 10 years.
Joe has been very active in community projects. Along with the late Bob Murdock, they are responsible for the founding of the Miramichi Fiddlers, Maritime Fiddlers Doos in Douglastown, The Seamans Hospital Project by Miramichi Heritage Inc. and was one of the founding members of Miramichi Sanatoria Club. Like his father used to say: “I played for everyone that built a barn or had a fire, from the head of the time to Escuminac.”
Jim Chapman Bio to come.
June(Stilwell)Tremain/Blanchard I was born at Union Settlement, Queen’s County where my musical career began at a very early age. There was always music at home and the sound of my dad and brother Gordon playing seemed to draw me to music.
At the age of 8 years old, I began playing piano with the Stilwell Family Band in local halls around Cambridge Narrows and Waterborough. We played about twice a week and people would often comment, “Look! Her feet don’t even touch the floor!” In later years, I played for dances with country music Hall of Famer, Harold O’Donnell.
In 1947-48, I came to Saint John and was introduced to Ned Landry by my brother Gordon who had served with Ned in the army. Shortly after I began playing with Ned on the CHSJ early morning show. The 1950’s saw me playing numerous dates around the Maritimes. Following this, I gained a spot with the great Lionel Poirier Band and remained with them for about 5 years.
From 1963-67, I played with the Art Marr Band for dances and show dates. It was during this time that I became acquainted with well-known fiddler Perry Craft, and a man who was to become a legend in Maritime country music – George Hector. At the invitation of George, I joined his band, playing with them periodically over the next three years.
In 1970, music took a back seat to family life but still found time to do a weekly show on Cable 10. In recent years I have played with Allison Inch for monthly square dances at Queenstown Hall. In the early 90’s I was selected as “official house piano accompanist” for the Woodstock Old Home Week and have played there ever since. The “Allan Cluff Trophy” was presented to me in 1992 for most closely representing the old time piano playing style.
During this time I also became as part of the Rick Gerrior and the Saint John Oldtime Fiddlers Group, playing along with Antique Ernie and the Hardwood Ramblers. It was while playing for the above groups that I became more closely acquainted with Ernie Blanchard. He is now my fiancé and my dearest friend. Presently I remain active in both groups and played accompaniment for them on their recently released tapes. It was also such a privilege to play back-up for long-time friends such as Perry Craft, Pat Boulanger and Debbie MacMillan.
I have made many wonderful friends through my music and music continues to be an important part of my life.
PAGE TWO of 1997 INDUCTEES CLICK HERE
