Banff Rodeo Records

Despite its western-sounding name, Banff Rodeo Records was not founded in the Rockies but emerged from Eastern Canada as part of Rodeo Records Ltd.—a label established in Montreal in 1949 by Don Johnson and George Taylor. The company relocated to Halifax in 1956, where it opened a recording studio, and later moved operations to Peterborough, Ontario, in 1969.

Launched as a sub-label in 1953, Banff became known for its broad and eclectic catalogue, featuring everything from country and cowboy songs to maritime folk, East Coast fiddle tunes, and regional Canadiana. Often sold in souvenir shops and department stores, Banff records documented the voices and sounds of everyday Canadians—capturing the spirit of both rural and coastal communities from coast to coast. This room preserves the legacy of Banff Rodeo Records, a truly national imprint in Canada’s musical history.

FEATURED

King, Bob - Sing For Laurel Lee

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

King, Bob - The All Canadian Boy b/w If The Things They Say Are True

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Graham, Mike - Momento of Manitoulin

Toronto - London, Ontario, 🇨🇦

Townsend, Graham - Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers

Toronto, Ontario - Buckingham, Québec

FEATURED

Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) - Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria - Edmonton, Alberta, 🇨🇦

Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou - Pickin' Strings No. 2

Atholville, New Brunswick

Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou - Pickin' Strings Country Style

Atholville, New Brunswick

FEATURED

Walker, Angus - Blue Grass Songs

Port Hastings, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Hatton, Jerry - Sittin' and Thinkin'

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers - ST

Chipman - Fredericton, New Brunswick, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Kozak, Joe - Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee

Edmonton, Alberta, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Novatones - Mary Lee b/w Please Come Back

Truro, Nova Scotia, 🇨🇦

Van den Bergh, Bev Marie - Spin it Country

British Columbia - Bobcaygeon, Ontario

FEATURED

Field, Shirley - Two Sides of

Armstrong, British Columbia → Gwynne, Alberta, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Sveen, Olaf - At Jasper Park Lodge

Surnadal, Norway - Estevan, Saskatchewan - Edmonton, Alberta, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Kozak, Joe - Hillbilly Rock b/w Call Me

Edmonton, Alberta, 🇨🇦

Meehan, Leonard - Otto P. Kelland's Songs of the Anchor Watch: Newfoundland Folk Songs

Newfoundland

FEATURED

Blondahl, Omar - Omar's Favorite Folk Songs

Wynyard, Saskatchewan - St. John's, Newfoundland

FEATURED

King, Bob - Rose of Old Pawnee b/w My Home by the Fraser

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

Townsend, Graham - Salutes Canada's Centennial

Toronto, Ontario - Buckingham, Québec

Hewlett, Grant Nelson - The Critics Choice...

FEATURED

Blondahl, Omar - The Great Seal Hunt of Newfoundland

Wynyard, Saskatchewan - St. John's, Newfoundland

FEATURED

King, Bob - By Request Vol. 2: Bob King Sings Songs That Tell A Story

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

King, Bob - Sing With Bob King and the Country Kings

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Reynolds, Donn - The Wild One and Other Country Favourites

Winnipeg, Manitoba

FEATURED

Sharpe, Wendell - The Brightest One in Town

Dee Side, Québec, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

King, Bob - Sing A Country Song

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Trineer, Dougie - 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring

Calumet, Québec, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

King, Bob - That's What's On My Mind b/w No Parking Here

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

Dixon, Fred & the Friday Afternoon - ST

Perth, Ontario

Grant Nelson Hewlett - The Critics Choice...

Bob King - That's What's On My Mind b/w No Parking Here

Bob King - 10th Anniversary

Wendell Sharpe - Brightest One in Town

Donn Reynolds - The Wild One and Other Country Favourites

Sittin' and Thinkin'

Otto P. Kelland's Songs of the Anchor Watch: Newfoundland Folk Songs

Stu Phillips - Visit to Old Quebec LABEL 01

Reynolds, Donn

Blondahl, Omar - The Great Seal Hunt of Newfoundland

Blondahl, Omar - 16 Songs of Newfoundland

Pickin' Strings Country Style

Pickin' Strings No. 2

Dixon, Fred & the Friday Afternoon

Stu Phillips-A Visit to British Columbia LABEL 02

Spin it Country

Angus_Walker_2015

Omar's Favorite Folk Songs

Graham, Mike

Momento of Manitoulin

Field, Shirley - Two Sides of (1)

Donn Reynolds - The Wild One and Other Country Favourites

A picture taken during an interview for CKCQ radio during the Don Messer Tour in the spring of '71.

A promotional image from the early 70's used for autograph signings and to sell at shows.

taken the night Doug Trineer & The Hackamores opened for legendary Mother Maybelle & Carter Sisters circa '65 in The Montreal Forum.

A picture taken during a tour with Don Messer and The Islanders. This was taken by "My Fund Studios" of Smith Falls, Ontario in the summer of '71.

Canada's Prime Minister of Country Music in full Outlaw Country singer regalia circa 1976.

Crazy Tricks recorded in Edmonton peaked at #39 in RPM Magazine. Both sides written by Merv Smith and produced by Dick Damron. Dick was probably doing the pickin' as well.

Another of "The Maritime Playboys" circa 1963. From left to right, Harry Cromwell, George Beck, Brent Williams and myself.

The young feller with Les Paul Jr. is me ca 1960 when I had the pleasure of being part of this line up of "The Maritime Playboys" which incl George Beck (ac gtr), Freddie McKenna (mandolin), Loran Baker (bass). The lady was Freddie's wife, Melva

Tracks

Artist Track Title
Sharpe, Wendell It's Been So Long Darling The Brightest One in Town
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) Swinging on the Strings Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
Field, Shirley Invitation to the Blues Two Sides of
King, Bob Lonely City Park Sing With Bob King and the Country Kings
Sharpe, Wendell Cold Cold Heart The Brightest One in Town
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie There's a Little Town (Bobcaygeon) Spin it Country
King, Bob She Went Without Saying Goodbye Sing For Laurel Lee
Phillips, Stu White Stallion Legend Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
King, Bob Just Call On Me Sing With Bob King and the Country Kings
Walker, Angus Sing Sing Sing Bluegrass Special
Hewlett, Grant Nelson Fat Sydney Black The Critics Choice...
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers Thank God You're Mine ST
Sveen, Olaf Eva Marie Waltz At Jasper Park Lodge
King, Bob The Cowboy Sing A Country Song
Walker, Angus Poor Little Bullfrog Bluegrass Special
King, Bob The Cat Came Back By Request Vol. 2: Bob King Sings Songs That Tell A Story
Kozak, Joe The Lights are Growing Dim Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee
Blondahl, Omar An Eskimo Lullaby Omar's Favorite Folk Songs
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Apple Rag Pickin' Strings Country Style
King, Bob My Petite Marie Sing For Laurel Lee
Phillips, Stu Nigger John Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
Blondahl, Omar When Paddy McGinty Plays the Harp 16 Songs of Newfoundland
Sharpe, Wendell The Brightest One in Town The Brightest One in Town
Sharpe, Wendell Brand of My Heart The Brightest One in Town
Blondahl, Omar Lester Chaney and the Polar Bears The Great Seal Hunt of Newfoundland
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Holiday Clog Pickin' Strings No. 2
Trineer, Dougie Tennessee Waltz 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Blondahl, Omar The Sealer's Song The Great Seal Hunt of Newfoundland
Phillips, Stu Ernest Cashel Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
Walker, Angus How Can You Refuse Him Now Bluegrass Special
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers When You Walked Away ST
King, Bob My Son Calls Another Man Daddy Sing With Bob King and the Country Kings
Field, Shirley Evening Shadows Two Sides of
Westmorland Singers Vaya Con Dios At Home With
Westmorland Singers How Can You Buy Killarney At Home With
Phillips, Stu Star Child Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie You Know Who Spin it Country
Meehan, Leonard The Song of the Anchor Watch, Brave Captain William Jackman Otto P. Kelland's Songs of the Anchor Watch: Newfoundland Folk Songs
Phillips, Stu The Priest Who Slept One Hundred Years Visit Old Québec
Sharpe, Wendell Roses Are Blooming The Brightest One in Town
Kozak, Joe Tennessee Central No. 9 Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee
King, Bob Hey, Honey! 10th Anniversary
Sharpe, Wendell Darling, Let's Turn Back the Years The Brightest One in Town
Daigle, Ted It May be Silly Teenage Time
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou A Gay Ranchero Pickin' Strings Country Style
King, Bob Jimmy Brown the Newsboy Sing A Country Song
Trineer, Dougie Fireball Mail 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Trineer, Dougie Guitar Polka 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
King, Bob Pray For Me Mother of Mine Sing For Laurel Lee
Hewlett, Grant Nelson The Three Prospectors The Critics Choice...
Townsend, Graham Sir John S.D. Thompson Jig Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Blondahl, Omar Squid Jiggin' Ground 16 Songs of Newfoundland
Townsend, Graham Alexander MacKenzie March Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Spanish Two-Step Pickin' Strings Country Style
Phillips, Stu The Lost Lemon Mine Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers You've Got to Change the Way You Live ST
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) Snowshoes Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
Blondahl, Omar The Star of Logy Bay 16 Songs of Newfoundland
Sharpe, Wendell Long Long Lonesome Blues The Brightest One in Town
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) Tired of Livin' Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
Trineer, Dougie Guitar Boogie Breakdown 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Townsend, Graham Sir John A MacDonald Waltz Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Hewlett, Grant Nelson Walk 'Round th' Hound The Critics Choice...
Townsend, Graham Banks of Newfoundland Salutes Canada's Centennial
Blondahl, Omar The Ship that Never Returned The Great Seal Hunt of Newfoundland
King, Bob An Old Log Cabin for Sale Just Me and My Old Guitar: Bob King Sings Song That Tell a Story
King, Bob Be Careful of Stones That You Throw Sing For Laurel Lee
Trineer, Dougie Maria Elena 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Field, Shirley Walking After Midnight Two Sides of
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers No One Would Cry Over Me ST
Graham, Mike People Are Beautiful in Lovely Mindemoya Momento of Manitoulin
King, Bob I'm Just Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail Just Me and My Old Guitar: Bob King Sings Song That Tell a Story
King, Bob Rose of Old Pawnee 10th Anniversary
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie Jessie's Tragedy Spin it Country
Kozak, Joe Moonshy Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie Red Red Roses Spin it Country
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Torquay Pickin' Strings No. 2
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers Don't Close the Gates ST
Townsend, Graham Spud Island Breakdown Salutes Canada's Centennial
Walker, Angus Have You Lost all the Love Bluegrass Special
Blondahl, Omar Tickle Cove Pond 16 Songs of Newfoundland
Phillips, Stu Alexander Mackenzie A Visit to British Columbia
King, Bob Rose of Old Pawnee Sing With Bob King and the Country Kings
Walker, Angus The Wild Colonial Boy Blue Grass Songs
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Rippling Water Jig Pickin' Strings Country Style
Blondahl, Omar The Devil And The Farmer's Wife Omar's Favorite Folk Songs
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie It Won't be Easy Spin it Country
Daigle, Ted Farewell Adelita Teenage Time
Hatton, Jerry It's a Wicked World Sittin' and Thinkin'
King, Bob Batanio the Pride of the Plains Just Me and My Old Guitar: Bob King Sings Song That Tell a Story
Walker, Angus I Cried Again Blue Grass Songs
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie Coal Miner's Daughter Spin it Country
Meehan, Leonard Boom Boom Boom, Roar Roar Roar Otto P. Kelland's Songs of the Anchor Watch: Newfoundland Folk Songs
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Guitar Breakdown Boogie Pickin' Strings Country Style
King, Bob Going Back to an Old Love Affair Sing For Laurel Lee
Daigle, Ted Red Hen Hop Teenage Time
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Black Mountain Rag Pickin' Strings No. 2
Trineer, Dougie Sugar Foot Rag 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou How High The Moon Pickin' Strings No. 2
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers I've Fallen in Love ST

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