The Travellers (band)

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For other meanings of the term see The Travellers (disambiguation) For the American folk trio see Travelers 3

The Travellers were a Canadian folk singing group which formed in the summer of 1953.[1] They are best known for their rendition of a Canadian version of This Land Is Your Land with lyrics that reference Canadian geography.

The group was formed as a result of singalongs at Camp Naivelt, a Jewish socialist vacation community that was operated by the United Jewish Peoples' Order north of Brampton, Ontario.[2] Pete Seeger was a regular visitor to the camp and encouraged the group.[2]

Founding members of the group were Jerry Gray (banjo and lead singer), Sid Dolgay (mando-cello), and the singers Helen Gray, Jerry Goodis, and Oscar Ross.[1] In 1965 they were joined by singer Joe Hampson.[2] Other members over the years include Simone Johnston, Pam Fernie, Aileen Ahern, Marty Meslin, Ray Woodley, Ted Roberts and Don Vickery.[1]

The group, which originally considered calling itself The Beavers, started singing outside the camp at labour events and at strikes and protests.[2]

They made their debut on Canadian television in 1954 and, in 1956[1], achieved national exposure when they reached the finals of CBC Television's Pick the Stars contest They performed at the first Mariposa Festival in 1961. [2] In 1962 they were invited by the Canadian government to tour the Soviet Union as part of a Canada-USSR cultural exchange performing 19 concerts. The next year they toured Canada and, in 1964, were part of a Royal Command Performance during the Queen's tour of Canada.[1]

The group was at its peak of popularity during the folk revival of 1960s and with a reptoire that was half made up of Canadian songs they played more than 100 concerts throughout the country during the Canadian centennial year of 1967[1], particularly at Expo '67.[2]

Their repertoire included protest songs, folk songs, children's songs and international tunes.[2]

In all the group produced 16 albums and performed five specials on Canadian television.[2]

They continued to perform at labour rallies and political events into the 1980s as well as touring schools and performing concerts for children.[1]

[edit] Discography

  • Across Canada with the Travellers 1958
  • The Travellers Sing Songs of North America 1959
  • Quilting Bee 1960
  • Introducing the Travellers 1961
  • The Travellers on Tour 1962
  • Something to Sing About 1963
  • We're on Our Way Again 1964-5
  • The Travellers Still Travelling (in part a reissue of material previously released by Columbia)
  • A Century of Song 1967
  • This Land, the Travellers Centennial Album 1967
  • The Travellers Applaud Canada 1968
  • The Travellers Sing for Kids 1970
  • The Travellers 1970
  • Merry Go Round 1980

Also, two songs on Sea to Sea and one on The Children's Collection, Vol 1

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g The Travellers. Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Catherine Dunphy (February 1, 2007). Joe Hampson, 78: sang with The Travellers. Toronto Star. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
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