The Carlton Showband is a Canadian musical group of the Irish genre. Formed in

Brampton, Ontario Brampton ( or ) is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Brampton is a city in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and is a lower-tier municipality within Peel Region. The city has a population of 656,480 as of the 2021 Census, making it th ...

in November 1963, the band initially named themselves the Carlton Danceband in reference to

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

Carlton Street Carlton may refer to: People * Carlton (name), a list of those with the given name or surname * Carlton (singer), English soul singer Carlton McCarthy * Carlton, a pen name used by Joseph Caldwell (1773–1835), American educator, Presbyterian ...

where Maple Leaf Gardens was located.

History

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 Patterson and Mitch McCoy were added. The band's album, ''The Merry Ploughboy'', was the first Canadian album to be released on cassette tape."Quality 1st Canada Firm into Duping". McCoy departed after 2 years, replaced by Bob Lewis (of Nova Scotia)."Community mourns the loss of multi-talented musician"
''Cape Breton Post'', Feb 18, 2010 This would be the usual lineup from about 1968 through the mid-70s. The band released a number of albums through the RCA label, including ''Gospel Favourites'', which sold more than 200,000 copies."Canada aims to boost its own country talent". In 1967 the group became the regular band on ''

The Pig and Whistle ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'', a CTV television musical variety show that continued to air until 1977,"Carlton Showband Legacy continues"
''Journal-Post''. Ryan Quigley Feb 28, 2012 and in 1969 they recorded an album of music from the show, ''Carlton Showband at the Pig 'n' Whistle''. The band performed frequently in Newfoundland. In 1971 they toured the Maritimes and won a Gold Leaf award for their album ''Best of the Carlton Showband''."Showband gets Leaf Award". Despite the end of their regular national television series exposure, the band continued to perform; McManus died 1989;. In 1996 the group disbanded, although Fred White continued to do the occasional show using the Carlton Showband name. Between 2000 and 2010 the group remained inactive. O'Toole died in 2005; Patterson in 2007; Lewis in 2008. In 2010, White, Aaron Lewis, Larris and Robert Benoit, Greg Donaghey of Sion Mills, Northern Ireland, and Roddie Lee revived the group for a reunion tour. Feeney died in 2011, and McLaughlin in 2014.November 15, 2014 Toronto Star White is the lone surviving member from the regular 1960s lineup. Seamus Grew passed away July 2023 from a 4 year battle with ALS. Gregory Donaghey soon followed 2024, had a service in both toronto and back home on the east coast.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Awards and recognition

*1975: winner,

Juno Award The Juno Awards, more popularly known as the JUNOS, are awards presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall of ...

, Country Group or Duo of the Year *1980: nominee,

, Country Group or Duo of the Year *1981: nominee,

, Country Group or Duo of the Year

References

External links

The Carlton Showband Official Homepage''The Canadian Encyclopedia'': Carlton Showband
* {{Authority control Canadian country music groups Canadian folk music groups Juno Award winners Musical groups established in 1963 Musical groups disestablished in 1996 1963 establishments in Ontario Musical groups from Brampton