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PAGE A-2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2004.
Thresher Reunion 2004
MacKenzie ready for a first Reunion show
Musicology
Although he'll be making a debut performance at the
Thresher Reunion, Lorne McKenzie of Wingham, is no
stranger to the stage as he has been sharing both his vocal
and instrumental talent with audiences everywhere for
many years. His performance starts at 1 p.m. or Sept. 10
on the main stage. (Elyse DeBruyn photo)
By Elyse DeBruyn
Citizen staff
Leaving nervousness and stage
fright behind, Lorne MacKenzie is
looking forward to making his debut
performance at the Thresher
Reunion.
MacKenzie, of the Wingham area,
said he felt so privileged to be asked
to perform at the Thresher Reunion.
"It's always an honour to be asked
to perform at such a huge event,"
said MacKenzie.
The Ripley native is a jack-of-all-
trades type of man, who enjoys
sharing his vocal talent with the
audience while playing piano.
MacKenzie said he enjoys singing
a variety of songs from country to
gospel and pop to Scottish or Irish
tunes, all depending on the type of
audience.
His musical interest actually began
through the inspiration of his family
band, The MacKenzie Orchestra, a
five-member group consisting of
himself, two brothers and his
parents.
"We would travel around Huron
County performing a variety of
dance-band music, which is why I
play so many different types of
music, 1 suspect."
The family orchestra was formed
in 1920 (involving just his parents at
"first), but by the 1950s, the boys had
grown up and MacKenzie left the
area to play baseball and hockey in
Stratford.
He then left the music industry to
forgotten.
"With three teenagers around the
house, you don't get to play the
piano as much as you might want
to," MacKenzie laughed.
About 10 years ago, he and his
wife decided to move back to this
area and his interest in music was
sparked again when he was asked to
perform at a seniors' residence.
"One day the phone rang and the
person asked if I would be interested
in doing a performance. I was very
excited and after that the word got
out and I kept getting more calls."
Now MacKenzie does about 150
programs a year travelling
throughout Ontario to share his
talent with others.
He has also done an impromptu
performance in Branson, MO.
MacKenzie is hired to perform at
special events including
anniversaries, birthday parties,
hospital appreciation dinners and
funerals - which he says is an honour
and not really classified as
entertainment.
He is active in the Wingham
United Church choir and has made
special appearances with another
local musical legend, Leslie Pike.
When preparing for a show,
MacKenzie said he likes to know the
audience before he decides on the
program he will use.
"I wouldn't want to show up with
gospel music for a roaring country
crowd."
Aside from all those scheduled
performances, MacKenzie said he
enjoys being with seniors.
"I like spending time with seniors.
I took an early retirement, so I like to
volunteer as much as I can. I just
love seeing their faces when they
listen to my music." --
Along with his busy life as a
performer, MacKenzie has found
time to release five CDs and is
currently working on a sixth.
He said his son does the
producing, while he does the
recording.
He said he doesn't get nervous
before a performance, just "revved
up."
"When the adrenaline gets going
it's great. I once told my brother,
(when on stage) that's my universe.
I'm in control and then I don't get
nervous at all. It's an unexplainable
high, a really special feeling."
He said he has forgotten the words
once or twice 'while on stage, but it
didn't stop him.
"My personality comes through
when I perform. If I make a mistake,
I start to chuckle at myself and I can
see the audience start to smile.
People make mistakes, right?"
MacKenzie said he like to take his
music notes on stage with him
because if he forgets a chord, he can
quickly look it up.
"The trick is not to get panicky."
Although he has a number of CDs,
MacKenzie said he has always tried
to stay away from the "professional
side" of the business.
"I'm satisfied doing what I'm
doing now with the volunteer work.
Continued on A-3
begin a career as a teacher. Over the
years, MacKenzie said he taught
everywhere from "county schools to
teacher's college."
He joined the Ministry of
Education in Toronto and continued
to raise his own family in
Unionville, where his passion for
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