Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Hello,
A few years back someone was telling me about a great fiddler from the east coast of Canada. Apparently this man picked up the fiddle while he was in his 60s, but learnt very quickly and became well-known. I was also told that he worked the night shift at a toll booth and used to compose mocking tunes about his co-workers to while away the hours until his shift was done.
I have no real pressing need for information about this... but I just thought of this again the other day, and I figured someone here would surely know. I'd like to learn more. I rather shamefully don't know as much about the music of my own country (Canada) as I probably should (too much time listening to Irish tunes!). I have great uncles who used to play fiddle on the radio out in Winnepeg, and with Andy Dejarlis... but my close family didn't play too much music (though my mom sang), and I only learned about these things relatively recently. Anyway, I'd love to know more about this fiddler... but if anyone has any great links or info about trad in Canada that they'd like to share, I'd be interested in that too.
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
I think Buddy McMaster of Cape Breton fiddled at work, but don't think he waited to start playing until an advanced age, and don't remember what job it is he had. Wiki his name, and see what comes up.
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Buddy worked for the railway as a telegrapher, I believe. He started fiddling when he was very young, so I don't think he's the person you're thinkng of. Sheldon MacInnes wrote a book on Buddy and his music which is quite interesting, if want to learn more about the traditional music of Cape Breton. Also, Glenn Graham worte his Masters thesis on the subject of Cape Breton fiddling, which is available in book form. It's not exactly light reading, but very informative.
Buddy MacMaster: The Judique Fiddler by Sheldon MacInnes
Cape Breton Fiddle: Making and Maintaining Tradition by Glenn Graham
I would be very inteested in learning who your "toll booth fiddler" is, if you ever find out
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Dr. Ed Whitcomb would surely know the answer.
I have his excellent books of Canadian fiddle tunes and he seems to have amassed exhaustive data and anecdotes about Canadian fiddlers
try contacting him through "From Sea to Sea" : http://www.fromseatosea.com/author.htm
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Thanks so much everyone for your help! I know it was rather a long shot with that description...
I will definitely have a look at those books when I get the chance. I would really like to extend my knowledge of Canadian music beyond my one Brenda Stubbert and one La Boutine Souriante CD... Though they are both lovely CDs!
I feel a little bit shy about contacting Dr. Whitcomb just on a whim like this, but he does seem to be quite an authority. I will probably just keep my ears open and keep looking around. If I do find out the identity of my fiddler, I will be sure to come back here and post it.
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
I have to confess I'm shameless about that sort of thing gretchen, and mostly the people I've approached are delighted and helpful. After all, most experts enjoy sharing their expertise ....
I went through the bios in the introduction of Canadian Fiddle Music vol 1 to see if anyone matched yr description but no luck. So I suspect Dr Ed would be pleased and intrigued by your recollection. An email is the least intrusive of communications so you will not offend.
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
You could also check out Paul Cranford from Cape Breton. He worked in a lighthouse for years and wrote new tunes, and transcribed loads of tunes from the local fiddlers. A wealth of info and tunes! http://www.cranfordpub.com/
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Well I've just asked, and apparently the toll booth fiddler was Rufus Guinchard of Newfoundland. I was mistaken in thinking that he learned to play as an older man. It turns out he started teaching himself fiddle secretly when he was 11 (with the result that he has a very unique way of holding his fiddle). Though I've not yet found anything on the internet that mentions his playing in a toll booth, I have been assured from the source of the original story, Professor David Wilson, that it is indeed Mr. Guinchard who played while on shift at a toll booth.
It seems that a 25min documentary about Mr. Guinchard has been made by Memorial University Newfoundland, and it is available for viewing here: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/arts/rufus_video.html for anyone who is interested. Mr. Guinchard even got the Order of Canada, so he seems to have made quite an impression with his musical career. Anyway, toll booth or no, I've been enjoying reading a little about him, and hearing his playing.
Thanks again to everyone who responded.... and I'm going to have a look at the Paul Cranford stuff as well... thanks!
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Great little film! Thanks! I heard Rufus at a festival in Massachusetts in 1989, when he was 90 years old. He was supposed to come back the following year, but died a few days before the festival.
Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Hello,
A few years back someone was telling me about a great fiddler from the east coast of Canada. Apparently this man picked up the fiddle while he was in his 60s, but learnt very quickly and became well-known. I was also told that he worked the night shift at a toll booth and used to compose mocking tunes about his co-workers to while away the hours until his shift was done.
I have no real pressing need for information about this... but I just thought of this again the other day, and I figured someone here would surely know. I'd like to learn more. I rather shamefully don't know as much about the music of my own country (Canada) as I probably should (too much time listening to Irish tunes!). I have great uncles who used to play fiddle on the radio out in Winnepeg, and with Andy Dejarlis... but my close family didn't play too much music (though my mom sang), and I only learned about these things relatively recently. Anyway, I'd love to know more about this fiddler... but if anyone has any great links or info about trad in Canada that they'd like to share, I'd be interested in that too.
Thanks in advance!
# Posted on June 4th 2010 by gretchen
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
I think Buddy McMaster of Cape Breton fiddled at work, but don't think he waited to start playing until an advanced age, and don't remember what job it is he had. Wiki his name, and see what comes up.
# Posted on June 5th 2010 by AlBrown
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Buddy worked for the railway as a telegrapher, I believe. He started fiddling when he was very young, so I don't think he's the person you're thinkng of. Sheldon MacInnes wrote a book on Buddy and his music which is quite interesting, if want to learn more about the traditional music of Cape Breton. Also, Glenn Graham worte his Masters thesis on the subject of Cape Breton fiddling, which is available in book form. It's not exactly light reading, but very informative.
Buddy MacMaster: The Judique Fiddler by Sheldon MacInnes
Cape Breton Fiddle: Making and Maintaining Tradition by Glenn Graham
I would be very inteested in learning who your "toll booth fiddler" is, if you ever find out
# Posted on June 5th 2010 by jsmith
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Dr. Ed Whitcomb would surely know the answer.
I have his excellent books of Canadian fiddle tunes and he seems to have amassed exhaustive data and anecdotes about Canadian fiddlers
try contacting him through "From Sea to Sea" :
http://www.fromseatosea.com/author.htm
# Posted on June 5th 2010 by Bren
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Thanks so much everyone for your help! I know it was rather a long shot with that description...
I will definitely have a look at those books when I get the chance. I would really like to extend my knowledge of Canadian music beyond my one Brenda Stubbert and one La Boutine Souriante CD... Though they are both lovely CDs!
I feel a little bit shy about contacting Dr. Whitcomb just on a whim like this, but he does seem to be quite an authority. I will probably just keep my ears open and keep looking around. If I do find out the identity of my fiddler, I will be sure to come back here and post it.
Thanks again, have a great week!
# Posted on June 7th 2010 by gretchen
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
I have to confess I'm shameless about that sort of thing gretchen, and mostly the people I've approached are delighted and helpful. After all, most experts enjoy sharing their expertise ....
I went through the bios in the introduction of Canadian Fiddle Music vol 1 to see if anyone matched yr description but no luck. So I suspect Dr Ed would be pleased and intrigued by your recollection. An email is the least intrusive of communications so you will not offend.
# Posted on June 7th 2010 by Bren
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
You could also check out Paul Cranford from Cape Breton. He worked in a lighthouse for years and wrote new tunes, and transcribed loads of tunes from the local fiddlers. A wealth of info and tunes!
http://www.cranfordpub.com/
# Posted on June 8th 2010 by primrose lass
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Well I've just asked, and apparently the toll booth fiddler was Rufus Guinchard of Newfoundland. I was mistaken in thinking that he learned to play as an older man. It turns out he started teaching himself fiddle secretly when he was 11 (with the result that he has a very unique way of holding his fiddle). Though I've not yet found anything on the internet that mentions his playing in a toll booth, I have been assured from the source of the original story, Professor David Wilson, that it is indeed Mr. Guinchard who played while on shift at a toll booth.
It seems that a 25min documentary about Mr. Guinchard has been made by Memorial University Newfoundland, and it is available for viewing here: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/arts/rufus_video.html for anyone who is interested. Mr. Guinchard even got the Order of Canada, so he seems to have made quite an impression with his musical career. Anyway, toll booth or no, I've been enjoying reading a little about him, and hearing his playing.
Thanks again to everyone who responded.... and I'm going to have a look at the Paul Cranford stuff as well... thanks!
# Posted on July 27th 2010 by gretchen
Re: Looking for info about Canadian Toll Booth Fiddler
Great little film! Thanks! I heard Rufus at a festival in Massachusetts in 1989, when he was 90 years old. He was supposed to come back the following year, but died a few days before the festival.
# Posted on July 27th 2010 by GaryAMartin