Carlton Showband
The Carlton Showband is a Canadian musical group of the Irish genre. Formed in Brampton, Ontario in November 1963, the band initially named themselves the Carlton Danceband in reference to Toronto's Carlton Street where Maple Leaf Gardens was located.
The initial recording lineup included 5 musicians from Ireland: Chris O'Toole (leader), Christy McLaughlin, Mike Feeney, Seamus Grew, Sean McManus, and Fred White (the lone Canadian, from Nova Scotia). By their second album release, Irishmen Johnny Ferguson and Mitch McCoy were added. McCoy departed after 2 years, replaced by Bob Lewis (of Nova Scotia). This would be the most popular lineup from approx. 1968 through the mid-70s, and for most of their award-winning RCA years.
They were the regular band on The Pig and Whistle, a popular CTV television musical variety show that aired from 1967 to 1977.
Despite the end of their regular national television series exposure, the band continued to perform until their dissolution in 1996. Fred White continues to do the occasional show using the Carlton Showband name.
McManus died 1989; O'Toole in 2005; Patterson in 2007; Lewis in 2008; Feeney in 2011. McLaughlin died in November 2014 [1] Grew and White are the surviving members from the popular '60s lineup.
Contents
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | CRIA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN | |||
| 1966 | The Merry Ploughboy | — | — | — |
| 1967 | The Carlton Showband | — | — | — |
| A Night at the Pub | — | — | — | |
| 1968 | On Tour | — | — | — |
| 1969 | Carlton Showband at the Pig 'n' Whistle | — | — | — |
| 1970 | Time Gentlemen Please | — | — | — |
| 1971 | Best of the Carlton Showband | — | 44 | — |
| Carlton Showband Special | — | — | — | |
| 1972 | Carlton Country | — | 36 | — |
| Sing Irishman Sing | — | 36 | — | |
| 1973 | By Request (If You're Irish) | — | — | — |
| 1975 | Any Dream Will Do | — | 30 | — |
| 1976 | One Up on the World | — | — | — |
| 1977 | Here We Go Again | 15 | 75 | — |
| 20 Gospel Favorites | — | — | Platinum | |
| 1978 | Sixteen Most Requested | — | — | — |
| 1979 | Hard Times | 8 | — | — |
| 1980 | Back to the Sod | 12 | — | — |
| 1982 | Three Steps to Heaven | — | — | — |
| 1985 | Reflections | — | — | — |
| 1986 | We Wish You a Merry Christmas | — | — | — |
| 1988 | 25th Anniversary | — | — | — |
| 1990 | Catch the Spirit | — | — | — |
| 1993 | 25 All-Time Favorites | — | — | — |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN AC | CAN | |||
| 1966 | "The Merry Ploughboy" | — | — | 4 | The Merry Ploughboy |
| "Up Went Nelson" | — | — | 53 | ||
| 1972 | "Roll It Around in Your Mind" | 21 | 3 | — | Carlton Showband Special |
| 1973 | "Red Haired Mary" | 49 | 12 | — | |
| "Old Johnny Bucka" | — | 77 | — | Carlton Country | |
| 1974 | "There's Nothing Like a Newfoundlander" | 33 | — | — | Any Dream Will Do |
| 1975 | "Any Dream Will Do" | 14 | 18 | — | |
| 1976 | "Harper's Ferry" | 32 | — | — | One Up on the World |
| "Sadie the Cleaning Lady" | 20 | 18 | — | ||
| 1977 | "More Than Yesterday" | 24 | — | — | Here We Go Again |
| 1978 | "A Melody You Will Never Forget" | — | 18 | — | |
| "Half Hour Later in Newfoundland" | 25 | — | — | Sixteen Most Requested | |
| 1979 | "Hard Times (Comin' Down Again)" | 10 | — | — | Hard Times |
| "He Believes in Me" | — | 12 | — | ||
Awards and recognition
- 1975: winner, Juno Award, Country Group or Duo of the Year
- 1980: nominee, Juno Award, Country Group or Duo of the Year
- 1981: nominee, Juno Award, Country Group or Duo of the Year
References
- ↑ November 15, 2014 Toronto Star
