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 - 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, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

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

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

Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou - Pickin' Strings Country Style

Atholville, New Brunswick

FEATURED

Walker, Angus - Blue Grass Songs

Port Hastings, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, 🇨🇦

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

Kozak, Joe - Hillbilly Rock b/w Call Me

Edmonton, Alberta, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

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

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Trineer, Dougie - 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring

Calumet, Québec, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

King, Bob - 10th Anniversary

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Phillips, Stu - Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills

St-Eustache, Québec → Calgary, Alberta, 🇨🇦 → Goodlettsville, Tennessee, 🇺🇸

FEATURED

King, Bob - Just Me and My Old Guitar: Bob King Sings Song That Tell a Story

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Phillips, Stu - A Visit to British Columbia

St-Eustache, Québec → Calgary, Alberta, 🇨🇦 → Goodlettsville, Tennessee, 🇺🇸

FEATURED

King, Bob - Sing For Laurel Lee

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

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

Atholville, New Brunswick

FEATURED

Hatton, Jerry - Sittin' and Thinkin'

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers - ST

Chipman - Fredericton, New Brunswick, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Field, Shirley - Two Sides of

Armstrong, British Columbia → Gwynne, Alberta, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

Reynolds, Donn - The Wild One and Other Country Favourites

Winnipeg, Manitoba

FEATURED

Daigle, Ted - Teenage Time

Jacquet River, New Brunswick - Fort William, Ontario, 🇨🇦

Townsend, Graham - Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers

Toronto, Ontario - Buckingham, Québec

FEATURED

Sveen, Olaf - At Jasper Park Lodge

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

FEATURED

Blondahl, Omar - Omar's Favorite Folk Songs

Wynyard, Saskatchewan - St. John's, Newfoundland

Townsend, Graham - Salutes Canada's Centennial

Toronto, Ontario - Buckingham, Québec

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

Sharpe, Wendell - The Brightest One in Town

Dee Side, Québec, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

King, Bob - Sing A Country Song

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, Ontario, 🇨🇦

FEATURED

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

Joyceville, Ontario - Ottawa, 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 Darling, Let's Turn Back the Years The Brightest One in Town
Kozak, Joe Slowly Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee
Townsend, Graham Nova Scotia Hop Salutes Canada's Centennial
Blondahl, Omar Catch of the Season 16 Songs of Newfoundland
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers When You Walked Away ST
Phillips, Stu The Priest Who Slept One Hundred Years Visit Old Québec
King, Bob The Little Shirt My Mother Made for Me Just Me and My Old Guitar: Bob King Sings Song That Tell a Story
Blondahl, Omar Trinity Cake 16 Songs of Newfoundland
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie Joey Understands Me Spin it Country
King, Bob Give My Love to Rose 10th Anniversary
Westmorland Singers When You Come to the End of the Day At Home With
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) Swinging on the Strings Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
Trineer, Dougie Blue Smoke 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Trineer, Dougie Sugar Foot Rag 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Phillips, Stu Nigger John Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
Phillips, Stu Star Child Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
Phillips, Stu The Banff Cave Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
Trineer, Dougie My Pretty Bluebells 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Daigle, Ted No One Else Teenage Time
Reynolds, Donn Little Miss Blue Eyes The Wild One and Other Country Favourites
Townsend, Graham Québec Reel Salutes Canada's Centennial
Daigle, Ted Red Hen Hop Teenage Time
Meehan, Leonard The Low Blue Hills of Home Otto P. Kelland's Songs of the Anchor Watch: Newfoundland Folk Songs
Phillips, Stu White Stallion Legend Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
King, Bob Why Don't You Leave Me Sing For Laurel Lee
Field, Shirley Walking After Midnight Two Sides of
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers Don't Close the Gates ST
Phillips, Stu The Chief's Lament Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
King, Bob I Dreamed About Mom Last Night Sing With Bob King and the Country Kings
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) Whiskey Before Breakfast Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
Blondahl, Omar Samuel Manuel and the Old Dog Hoods The Great Seal Hunt of Newfoundland
Kozak, Joe Country Garden Girl Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Torquay Pickin' Strings No. 2
Hewlett, Grant Nelson Walk 'Round th' Hound The Critics Choice...
King, Bob Hey Honey Sing For Laurel Lee
King, Bob French Canadian Girl 10th Anniversary
Townsend, Graham Sir John S.D. Thompson Jig Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Walker, Angus I've Wondered Where We'd Meet Again Blue Grass Songs
Walker, Angus I Cried Again Blue Grass Songs
Trineer, Dougie Finger Lickin' 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Daigle, Ted Sweet Little Sixteen Teenage Time
Walker, Angus Silver Threads & Golden Needles Bluegrass Special
Graham, Mike Another Autumn On Manitoulin Momento of Manitoulin
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Country Gentleman Pickin' Strings Country Style
Hatton, Jerry The Wild Side of Life Sittin' and Thinkin'
Townsend, Graham Alexander MacKenzie March Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Meehan, Leonard Boom Boom Boom, Roar Roar Roar Otto P. Kelland's Songs of the Anchor Watch: Newfoundland Folk Songs
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Panhandle Rag Pickin' Strings Country Style
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie Jessie's Tragedy Spin it Country
Westmorland Singers How Gently Sweet Afton At Home With
Hatton, Jerry Walk the Floor Sittin' and Thinkin'
Reynolds, Donn No One Will Ever Know The Wild One and Other Country Favourites
Blondahl, Omar My Little Old Sod Shanty Omar's Favorite Folk Songs
Blondahl, Omar My Little Blue Hen 16 Songs of Newfoundland
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) I'll Take a Chance on Loving You Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
Townsend, Graham Banks of Newfoundland Salutes Canada's Centennial
Trineer, Dougie Chromatic Boogie 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Blondahl, Omar Bury Me Not On the Lone Prairie Omar's Favorite Folk Songs
Phillips, Stu Alexander Mackenzie A Visit to British Columbia
Sveen, Olaf Eva Marie Waltz At Jasper Park Lodge
Blondahl, Omar Huntingdon Shore 16 Songs of Newfoundland
King, Bob French Canadian Girl Sing A Country Song
Townsend, Graham Sir MacKenzie Bowel Jig Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
King, Bob The Cowboy 10th Anniversary
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers I've Fallen in Love ST
Phillips, Stu Bill Barker's Party A Visit to British Columbia
Phillips, Stu The Champlain & St. Lawrence Line Visit Old Québec
Townsend, Graham Sir John A MacDonald Waltz Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Sveen, Olaf Jasper Goodbye - Waltz At Jasper Park Lodge
Phillips, Stu Legend of the Fernie Fire A Visit to British Columbia
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie There's a Little Town (Bobcaygeon) Spin it Country
Graham, Mike There's a Bridge in Little Current Momento of Manitoulin
Blondahl, Omar Lester Chaney and the Polar Bears The Great Seal Hunt of Newfoundland
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Rippling Water Jig Pickin' Strings Country Style
Daigle, Ted Legend of Chaleur Bay Teenage Time
Townsend, Graham Saskatchewan Jig Salutes Canada's Centennial
Townsend, Graham B.C. Centennial Salutes Canada's Centennial
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou San Antonio Rose Pickin' Strings Country Style
Sveen, Olaf Prairie Breeze Polka At Jasper Park Lodge
Sharpe, Wendell Lonesome Whistle The Brightest One in Town
Trineer, Dougie Trambone 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
King, Bob She Went Without Saying Goodbye Sing For Laurel Lee
Trineer, Dougie Country Gentleman 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Blondahl, Omar Ballad of the Frank Slide Omar's Favorite Folk Songs
Phillips, Stu Donkey Riding Visit Old Québec
King, Bob Be Careful of Stones That You Throw Sing For Laurel Lee
Walker, Angus Give My Love to Nell Blue Grass Songs
Trineer, Dougie Clarinet Polka 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Sveen, Olaf Sonya Two Step At Jasper Park Lodge
Townsend, Graham Ontario Swing Salutes Canada's Centennial
Phillips, Stu Canada I-O Visit Old Québec
King, Bob If The Things They Say Are True Sing For Laurel Lee
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie Life is Like a Merry-Go-Round Spin it Country
Walker, Angus John Wesley Hardin' Bluegrass Special
Phillips, Stu The Grand Hotel A Visit to British Columbia
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) Let Me Know Where I Stand Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
King, Bob On the Banks of the Old Ponchartrain Just Me and My Old Guitar: Bob King Sings Song That Tell a Story
Townsend, Graham Sir Wilfred Laurier Reel Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Sveen, Olaf Beverly Polka At Jasper Park Lodge
King, Bob Lonely City Park 10th Anniversary

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