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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-07-28, Page 18Happy 60th Birthday "Grampa Jim" Love from your family Isn't 50 Nifty Sharon? From the whole fam damily! BLYTH FESTIVAL Safe Haven by Mary-Colin Chisholm "Blyth Theatre Festival off to a strong start." Vit Wagner, Toronto Star "... it may well be one of the best overall productions I have seen in some time." Bonnie Gropp, North Huron Citizen Ceili House by Colleen Curran "(Ceili House)... is a winner, and the balance of the playbill is showing good potential." Bob Verdun, Elmira Independent "Ceili House Blyth's best ever." Teeswater News (519)523-9300 PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1993. Popular country crooner comes to Blyth LARRY MERCEY History book deadline set for Aug. 1 Continued from page 17 529-7238. Those on the history book com- mittee are working hard to put the fmal pieces together. They would still like to hear from those who have information or are wilting for someone to come to pick up the material. The deadline has been set for Aug. 1, says Ms Hamilton Seeger. All materials can be mailed to Rhea Hamilton Seeger at RR 3 Auburn so that it can be included in the book. The books will be available by Christmas and can be purchased through committee members or the township office, she says. Stag & Doe for Harry Boyle & Cathy Williamson Saturday, July 31, 1993 AUBURN HALL 8:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Musk by DJ $5.00 per person Lunch Provided Ago of Ileiortly Required By Bonnie Gropp Whether or not you're a country music fan you would've had to have spent the past three decades on Antarctica's Mt. Menzies to not know who Larry Mercey is. The former lead singer of the popular Mercey Brothers, who has built a formidable reputation in the country music industry, both local- ly and internationally, is appearing Aug. 1 at 8:30 p.m. in Blyth Memorial Hall. The career began more than 30 years ago when the Mercey Broth- ers appeared on the CKNX Barn Dance, which was broadcast in Wingham. The group went on to record 17 albums, one of which went gold, and 50 singles, many of which reached the coveted number one spot on the radio charts. Most recently the group was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Larry performed in Blyth with the Mercey Brothers in the latter part of the 80s. He is looking for- ward to coming back and to the special ambiance. "During the sum- mer you don't always have soft seat theatre, quite often you're play- ing outdoor festivals or dances." In January 1990, Larry's decision to go solo was sparked by a combi- nation of things. "Lloyd (his broth- er) and I had been together for a long time. We both were starting to feel like it was time to pack it in," Larry says. The RIDE program also played a part in things. Larry says that while the group supported the OPP's cam- paign to stop drinking and driving it had an impact on their profes- sional lifestyle. "There were two families who were essentially being supported by 'Mercey Brothers Ltd.'," Larry says. "But playing in clubs around the country was not the business it once was. The RIDE program had changed that." Larry recalls the group used to fly out west for a couple of weeks and would be able to play to packed houses every night. "Now there was no business during the early part of the week. We couldn't sit around out there in a hotel room for three days to play for four." In February of 1990 Larry released his first solo single, "She Feels Like a New Man Tonight". That September the song earned him a nomination for Single of the Year from the Canadian Country Music Association. He has been nominated for Juno awards, appeared on national tele- vision, entertained in the Caribbean and toured parts of Europe. While there have been many highlights in his career, Larry is most pleased with his winning of the prestigious C. F. Martin Life- time Achievement Award in 1986. Next month he will release his second solo album, which he is presently working on in Nashville. Though Larry could see moving to Nashville at some point to pub- lish music, the Waterloo resident says that as a singer he prefers Canada. "The American country music industry is looking for young people whose popularity goes up and down. There are no constants Buck& Doe for Jeff Sanders & Michelle Sanders Friday, August 6, 1993 at the Wingham Legion 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Music by Peter Bauer Age of Majority Only $5.00 per person - Lunch provided like in the old days when you had people like Hank Snow." It is consistency that Larry says has helped him along the way. Explaining the number of awards and the recognition he has earned he says, "I think it's important to keep being consistent, to keep get- ting on the charts. I am pleased to have been in that top five so many times. It's just really important to keep making hits and keep your name out there."