Popular Old Time Music Championships sound their final note

Jul 28, 2011

Photo: Joan Shepherd, Dan Bell present Brother Brian Powley with the special FOTMC award

It was with regret that co-founder and organizer of the Frontenac Old Time Music Championships, Joan Shepherd, announced that this year’s championships, which were held at the Bedford hall on July 23 and 24, would likely be the last. Shepherd said she and her husband Roy will be stepping down as hosts and organizers due to Joan’s current health issues. “It's sad for sure since it has been a true labour of love for myself and Roy but the fact is that it is a lot of work that unfortunately I just don't have the energy for it anymore” she said.

The announcement comes as sad news for singers and instrumentalists of all ages looking to gain confidence by competing and performing in a friendly inspiring atmosphere, which Joan and her husband Roy have been fostering for years and which has been the backbone of the community event.

The championships were begun to both celebrate and encourage the tradition of old time country music in the Frontenacs, but the fact that that may be their last year did not dampen the day’s proceedings at the hall on Sunday July 24, when I attended, which attracted close to 150 avid players and listeners.

Emceed by Joan, Jan Fox and Brother Brian Powley of CFRC Radio, who this year received the Special Old Time Music Championship award for his ongoing support since the event began, the event included classes for all ages and levels in singing, guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. Again this year’s competition offered fiddle and guitar workshops by a number of talented players including Mary Kennedy, Victor Maltby and Mel McDougall.

This year’s panel of judges were Anne Banks, Bruce Wilson, Joe Saunders and Joe Barnden.

As usual, interspersed between the classes were stellar performances by a number of well-known old time music groups including the young and talented Chem Chiks and the Chicklets of the Sydenham area, Ralph and Carol McInnes, and the Bangs Family of Ottawa. When I arrived, the Bangs Family were performing and they played no less than three encores for a very enthusiastic crowd.

A Walden D550 guitar complete with a hard shell case and accessories was up for grabs and as always, all of the proceeds raised from the event go towards supporting music programs at local area schools. This year’s proceeds will go to the music program at Storrington Public School. The event has helped launch the careers of many youngsters in the community, including that of Mitchell Barker, originally of Parham, who now resides in Kingston and performs regularly at local venues there.

Other local competitors who graced the stage on Sunday were 18-year-old Tony Leduc of Maberly, back for his second year, who won second place in his singing class, and Kim Sproule of Enterprise, who took first place in the J3 banjo class.

As the final notes of the competitors reverberated through the Bedford Hall, it was indeed a sad moment for players and aficionados of old time music and though Joan gets emotional speaking of it, she said she would definitely like to pass on the baton to someone who would be willing to step up to the plate to keep the tradition going strong in the Frontenacs. She adds that in hindsight, she hopes that if the event continues on, it would take place in the spring or the fall rather than in the summer, because of the uncomfortable summer heat and also the fact that many youngsters are not able to participate in the summer months. Anyone interested in keeping the tradition alive can contact Joan Shepherd at 613-374-5477.

** PLEASE NOTE: the regular Bedford Jams that take place every other Sunday at the hall will continue on as usual. Joan’s assistant Wilhelmine Card will take the reins with the help of Judy Albertson-Murphy, who will continue assisting in the winter months.