The Citizen, 2018-5-31, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018.
Hunter honoured with Pioneer Award at Campout
An emotional night
International music legend and Canada's Country Gentleman, Tommy Hunter, centre, was in
Blyth on Saturday night as the recipient of a Pioneer Award from the Barn Dance Society.
Hunter was a Canadian staple for decades with the Tommy Hunter Show and countless
awards before stepping away from the stage. Not only did he receive his award on Saturday
night, but he also sang "Happy Birthday" to emcee Jim Swan, left, who was celebrating his
75th birthday that night. Hunter said he hadn't sang on stage since his own 75th birthday in
2012, when he held his farewell concert in London. Ruth Baxter, right, of the society presented
Hunter with his award. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Renowned musician Tommy
Hunter, known as "Canada's
Country Gentleman", was in Blyth
Saturday night as he was honoured
by the Barn Dance Society with its
Pioneer Award. He also came out of
musical retirement very briefly on
the Blyth and District Community
Centre stage for the special
occasion.
Hunter is a member of the Order
of Canada, the Order of Ontario and
a winner of the Queen Elizabeth II
Golden Jubilee Medal. He has won
three Juno Awards, one Gemini
Award and has been inducted into
the Canadian Country Music Hall of
Fame and has been given a place on
the Country Music Hall of Fame's
Walkway of Stars in Nashville,
Tennessee.
The London native is best known
for his years at the head of The
Tommy Hunter Show and on
CKNX's Barn Dance.
He joins recent award winners
Gordon Lightfoot, Shania Twain and
Walter Ostanek.
Hunter was in attendance for the
Barn Dance Campout and Jamboree
in Blyth over the weekend, making a
special appearance near the end of
the Saturday night, main stage show.
Hunter, now 81, said it was a
tremendous honour for him to be in
Blyth that night and that he greatly
appreciated the hundreds in
attendance for their years of love and
support.
His first order of business on the
stage, however, was to sing "Happy
Birthday" to the night's emcee and
long-time CKNX voice Jim Swan,
who was celebrating his 75th
birthday that night.
Hunter was emotional after the
song, saying that it was the first time
he sang on stage since his final
concert, which was held at
Budweiser Gardens in London in
2012 on his 75th birthday.
He then signed off his appearance
that night as he had his show and
concerts for decades beforehand,
telling those in Blyth, "And the good
Lord willing, we'll be talking to you
again real soon."
Hunter received a sustained
standing ovation from those in
attendance on Saturday night who
stayed standing to listen to Hunter
speak.
The Saturday night show featured
eight musicians, all brought to the
stage by Swan. Small Town Girls, a
trio of teenagers from Tillsonburg,
performed first, covering Tammy
Wynette, Merle Haggard and Johnny
Cash.
The Small Town Girls were
followed by Bryce Butcher and
Michael T. Wall, also known as the
Singing Newfoundlander. Wall is a
member of the Country Music Hall
of Fame in Australia.
John Ham was the next on stage,
followed by Doreen Brown, the
Dixon Company Band and member
of the Canadian Country Music Hall
of Fame, Larry Mercey and Kiley
Joe Masson.
The weekend also featured a
Friday night bluegrass show and a
Sunday morning Gospel show in
addition to numerous open stage
performances.
For more information on the
annual Barn Dance Campout
weekend, a staple in Blyth tourism
for years, visit thebarndance.ca.
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While the bluegrass and Gospel shows brought audiences
out to Blyth over the weekend, it was the Saturday night
main stage Barn Dance show that packed the house on
that hot, humid night. Bryce Butcher of Erin was one of the
evening's nine performers. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
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