Often called Canada’s “singing snowbird”, she was vital in spreading maple leaf talent around the globe in the past 50+ years. The JUNO Awards are Canada's version of the Grammy Awards. Gene MacLellan, a Prince Edward Island native who wrote "Snowbird", said one of the biggest thrills of his life (besides Anne's recording) was getting a cassette in the mail of Chet Atkins' recording of it that Chet had personally sent to him as a thank you.
youtu.be/x0oc3IR4qGQ?si=4SLTJdYjiUINa-x3
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0e15IyYik386I9gPES1kYAggA
Edited by - chuckv97 on 03/25/2025 16:52:16
I was a life-long fan of Anne Murray ever since hearing Snow Bird for the first time.
I went to high school in Thomaston,Maine a couple of years ahead of Leslie Richards who drove to Nova Scotia on weekends and worked for Anne,later.
She also hired Lenny Breau at one time.
Maine is lucky to live near her.
quote:
Originally posted by steve davisI was a life-long fan of Anne Murray ever since hearing Snow Bird for the first time.
I went to high school in Thomaston,Maine a couple of years ahead of Leslie Richards who drove to Nova Scotia on weekends and worked for Anne,later.
She also hired Lenny Breau at one time.
Maine is lucky to live near her.
Thanks, Steve. Canada's lucky to have Maine's voice of reason next door.
One of my dearest friends is from The Gaspe Peninsula.
She moved here in the late 70s and plays fiddle,mandolin,guitar,ukulele and piano.
I'm playing an open mic with her this evening at the Camden American Legion.
We might do "Baby,Why Ya Been Gone So Long" and sit in with some others.
I got to interview her once when I was working at the Oakland Tribune in California and she was appearing nearby. It was about the time when "Can I Have This Dance for the Rest of My Life" was breaking. She was such a nice, charming woman. I was in awe...
She’s very down-to-earth,, plays a lot of golf,, loves the hockey Maple Leafs. A former phys-ed teacher.
That lady can flat-out sing!
Another Canadian musical gem.
.
And , just to “banjo-fy” this thread, (Greg Cahill doing his usual masterful job), here’s a great version of "Snowbird" by Special Consensus, , Greg Blake on vocals with supporting harmonies by Claire Lynch (a Toronto resident these days).
youtu.be/JNU_DkY9PuM?si=QIP6gSvnR-yWz13b
Edited by - chuckv97 on 03/31/2025 14:10:40
A well-deserved award. It's ironic that she gave that speech, and then sang an American-penned song. I never saw her sing, but saw her in the '70 Grey Cup parade in Toronto (Montreal won). dressed all in pink (good that she outgrew that). And, Chuck, I saw Claire Lynch with her Canadian musicians here. She's very approachable and down to earth (she lives near Bloor and Lansdowne - did you busk there?). And she signed her North by South CD (all Canadian songs).
Claire is wonderful,, I have 2 of her albums including the all Canuck one. She does a fine job on Molly May and Willie P.’s song, Andrew’s Waltz.
(didn’t busk at Lansdowne, but just down the line a bit,,, Runnymede, Royal York, Kipling.... :-)
Edited by - chuckv97 on 04/01/2025 00:37:07
