2009 Conference Special Awards

The Board of Director’s for Music Newfoundland & Labrador are proud to announce the following special awards that will be presented in conjunction with the 2009 Conference.

Lifetime Achievement - The Ducats

This band is the true rock pioneers of the Newfoundland & Labrador music scene. Formed in the early 1960’s under the leadership of Lewis Skinner, The Ducats were a tour de force, being one of the first groups to export and perform in the north-east states of the US. Many of the bands alumni have gone on to perform with other groups but the Ducats are alive and well, most recently sharing the stage with the legendary Chubby Checker.

Unsung Hero – Gerald Mitchell

Gerald Mitchell, known as the Labrador Balladeer, was born in Makkovik in 1937. Gerald’s two older brothers played guitar and by the age of 11, Gerald took up the guitar, learned a few chords and began singing the “cowboy songs” he enjoyed hearing on the radio and on LP’s.
Gerald moved from Makkovik to find work at Goose Air Base when he was 17 and continued to sing and play at various get-togethers and concerts. In 1964, Gordie Rendall, a local CBC announcer, asked Gerald to fill a spot for a folk song segment during the Saturday programming. This offer turned into a regular feature for the next two years and this is where his title, The Labrador Balladeer originated from. He also performed on the Mokami Mountaineers radio show that was hosted by Gordie Rendall and Joe Goudie and was encouraged by the CBC announcers to sing locally written songs, like “Broken Promise”, written by Byron Chaulk. This led to an extremely successful partnership between Gerald and Byron and in the space of one afternoon; Gerald composed a number of melodies and brought to life Byron’s poetic verses. Some of these songs include Ol’ Mokami, Pearl River, and We Sons of Labrador, which later became favorite Labrador classics.
In the 1970’s Gerald recorded two long-play records, “The Hunt and Other Songs of Labrador” (Marathon Records) and “Songs Of Labrador” (Produced by Joe Goudie and CBC) which included songs co-written with Byron, a couple of his own compositions as well as songs composed by Stewart Michelin, Judson Blake, Mark Best and Douglas Best. Years later, Gerald joined Shirley Montague, Harry Martin and on the album “Our Labrador”, a compilation of Labrador folk songs.
A pioneer in breaking ground and paving the way for other Labrador music artists and performers, Gerald has been an inspiration to many musicians and songwriters in Labrador who look at him as their hero and idol and who get a thrill when they sit with Gerald, who now lives a quiet, relaxing life in his home community of Makkovik and sing together the classic songs of Labrador.

Industry Builder – The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society

This organization has existed for many years preserving the music and stories of our province. They recently hosted the 33rd Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival, an event that has a national and international profile. The Folk Arts Society has for decades provided mentorship and professional development for it’s members, their “Folk Night” is a must see event that features new and established artists each week at the famous Ship Pub in St. John’s. The FAS has garnered multiple awards and acknowledgements as well as having the Royal Mint issue a silver 50 cent coin in their honour in 2001.

Posted by Kurt Moyst