Information/Write-up
Had Bill pursued his first-chosen career as a radio announcer, probably neither of his two pleasure-giving albums would have been produced, and Canada would have had one less accomplished performing artist to offer the world. However, after disc jockey and newscaster stints in Sudbury, Guelph, St. Catharines and Sarnia, Badgley embarked on a teaching career that took him to Guelph, Coburg and Toronto as a music supervisor.
Following engagements at Hart House and the Crest Theatre, he decided to exchange his professorial pursuits for a piano keyboard and a professional role as a performer.
His many credits include CBC-TV’s “Country Hoedown”, the Marine Room of the Seaway Hotel, Chez Paree and the O’Keefe Variety Show. In 1964, Bill opened the Caesar Room of Toronto’s posh Ports of Call, and he’s been there ever since. In the interval, he has entertained hundreds of thousands of Canadians and foreign visitors who have dined at this popular spot.
His popularity reached nationwide proportions in 1966 on the release of his first recording, and, in this new album, Bill has going for him the same magic formula that contributed to his first success — orchestrations by Johnny Dobson and Johnny Burt, and an orchestra of 19 of Canada’s finest musicians, comprising nine violins, two violas, two cellos, flute (doubling on piccolo), French horn, guitar, drums, bass and percussion.
Sound files courtesy of Canadian Cult Classics (https://youtube.com/@Canadian_Cult_Classics)
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