MICHAEL FLATT – “Big Country”, Toronto
“…Great song! It will definitely be added to the music on Big Country…”
Bill MacNeil – CKPE Sydney, N.S.
“…a fine new song from a performer who shows Canada can produce great country music too!
Let’s hear more…”
PAUL WAINWRIGHT – CKCL, Kitchener, Ont.
“…Excellent..! I though I was playing a Ronnie Milsap record…”
SAM GRANTINS CJNH, Bancroft, Ont.
“…it’s been a while since we’ve heard a sound as impressive as this. Great lyrics and tune. Thank you…”
JOE DELARONDE – CKRK, Kahnewake, Que.
“…immediately added! This song jumps out and bites! I don’t often get excited, but this is great!…”
ROB ROULSTON – CFYR, Abbotsford, B.C.
“…Trainor should be able to stand up to the C/W and Pop “superstars” easily. A very accceptable release.”
Photo from CBC set of The Tommy Hunter Show November 1986. Tommy’s interviewing me about my top 10 hit records and Juno Award nomination as Country Male Vocalist of the Year.
During my final days of working in the Canadian country music scene, I performed on national TV shows and showcase events.
Photo at left: I’m performing in a concert which was also being taped for a future radio broadcast on the best known program of its kind in Canada at that time. Other stars appearing in this country concert included Michelle Wright and “good” buddies, The Good Brothers, who used to perform an old song of mine years ago called “Good Times & Whiskey”. My own version of that song is on my first album, The Comfort Sound Sessions.
I had a lot of fun in these exciting and rewarding years of great radio success as a “new country” recording artist, but in the end it was more about finding my place as a professional songwriter in Nashville and beyond that inspired me the most. I loved live performing and having hit records was a blast. I loved the best that country music had to offer at that time. But I understood that I’m a “songwriter/artist” whose personal tastes and talents encompass a wider spectrum than country music radio format.
With major radio top 10 chart hits success and a Juno Award nomination, my focus was a Nashville music publishing deal.
My talent and track record of radio hits were very warmly received on Music Row. Major publishers, major record label executives and several songwriters, all welcomed me into their community. I was signed as a songwriter to a 3 year contract with legendary major music publisher Combine Music. I agreed to terms and signed my contract in Kris Kristofferson’s office.
The news of my success reverberated intensely in the Canadian country music industry. A front cover feature story on my new Music Row publishing deal ran in Country Music News (Aug. ’87).
Interviewed for that cover story piece, I thanked some special people who all supported my efforts. I thank them all again.
Stan Campbell / Mike Francis / Terry Clements / Brian Chater Spero Bassil / Garry Paget / Mary Lynn Dodson / Jody Williams
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