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
Blondahl, Omar The Master Watch The Great Seal Hunt of Newfoundland
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) I'll Take a Chance on Loving You Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
Townsend, Graham Québec Reel Salutes Canada's Centennial
Townsend, Graham Sir John S.D. Thompson Jig Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Blondahl, Omar Jack Was Every Inch a Sailor 16 Songs of Newfoundland
Sharpe, Wendell My Mother The Brightest One in Town
Walker, Angus The Wild Colonial Boy Blue Grass Songs
Daigle, Ted Cut Across Shorty Teenage Time
Walker, Angus If Teardrops Were Pennies Blue Grass Songs
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie There's a Little Town (Bobcaygeon) Spin it Country
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers My Dying Secret ST
Sveen, Olaf Blue Canadian Rockies At Jasper Park Lodge
Townsend, Graham Sir John Abbot Waltz Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
King, Bob Mummy Please Stay Home With Me Just Me and My Old Guitar: Bob King Sings Song That Tell a Story
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie You Know Who Spin it Country
King, Bob Rockin' Alone in an Old Rockin' Chair (Bob Miller) By Request Vol. 2: Bob King Sings Songs That Tell A Story
King, Bob Rose of Old Pawnee 10th Anniversary
Walker, Angus Why Not Confess Blue Grass Songs
Townsend, Graham New Brunswick Breakdown Salutes Canada's Centennial
Westmorland Singers When You Come to the End of the Day At Home With
Phillips, Stu The Chief's Lament Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
King, Bob Train of Memories Sing A Country Song
King, Bob I've Been Down That Road Before (Hank Wiliams) By Request Vol. 2: Bob King Sings Songs That Tell A Story
Townsend, Graham Sir Charles Tupper Waltz Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Rippling Water Jig Pickin' Strings Country Style
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) Moose Jaw Rag Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
Townsend, Graham Spud Island Breakdown Salutes Canada's Centennial
Trineer, Dougie Buckeroo 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Sveen, Olaf Prairie Breeze Polka At Jasper Park Lodge
Townsend, Graham Sir MacKenzie Bowel Jig Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Blondahl, Omar My Little Blue Hen 16 Songs of Newfoundland
Meehan, Leonard Boom Boom Boom, Roar Roar Roar Otto P. Kelland's Songs of the Anchor Watch: Newfoundland Folk Songs
King, Bob Rose of Old Pawnee Rose of Old Pawnee b/w My Home by the Fraser
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Spanish Two-Step Pickin' Strings Country Style
Graham, Mike Manitoulin March Momento of Manitoulin
Trineer, Dougie Country Gentleman 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Phillips, Stu Legend of the Fernie Fire A Visit to British Columbia
Sveen, Olaf Sonya Two Step At Jasper Park Lodge
Walker, Angus Silver Threads & Golden Needles Bluegrass Special
Field, Shirley Talk Back Trembling Lips Two Sides of
Field, Shirley Shattered Two Sides of
Phillips, Stu Simon Gun-a-Noot A Visit to British Columbia
Phillips, Stu Catherine O'Hare Schubert A Visit to British Columbia
Hatton, Jerry The Wild Side of Life Sittin' and Thinkin'
Townsend, Graham Sir John A MacDonald Waltz Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Phillips, Stu En Roulant Ma Boule Visit Old Québec
King, Bob The Cat Came Back By Request Vol. 2: Bob King Sings Songs That Tell A Story
Phillips, Stu The Banff Cave Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) Let Me Know Where I Stand Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie A Little Bit of Love Spin it Country
Walker, Angus Sing Sing Sing Bluegrass Special
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Panhandle Rag Pickin' Strings Country Style
Townsend, Graham Saskatchewan Jig Salutes Canada's Centennial
Trineer, Dougie Wildwood Flower 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Graham, Mike Billings Momento of Manitoulin
Blondahl, Omar Samuel Manuel and the Old Dog Hoods The Great Seal Hunt of Newfoundland
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers Don't Close the Gates ST
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou South Pickin' Strings Country Style
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie Help Me Make it Through the Night Spin it Country
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie Life is Like a Merry-Go-Round Spin it Country
King, Bob Jimmy Brown the Newsboy 10th Anniversary
Phillips, Stu Donkey Riding Visit Old Québec
Blondahl, Omar Yellow Rose of Texas Omar's Favorite Folk Songs
Blondahl, Omar That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine Omar's Favorite Folk Songs
Walker, Angus Poor Little Bullfrog Bluegrass Special
Walker, Angus Have You Lost all the Love Bluegrass Special
Daigle, Ted Sweet Little Sixteen Teenage Time
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie It Won't be Easy Spin it Country
Walker, Angus The Girl I Left in Sunny Tennessee Blue Grass Songs
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou Old Joe Clark Pickin' Strings Country Style
Phillips, Stu Bill Miner Stu Phillips Sings Echoes of the Canadian Foothills
King, Bob The Cowboy Sing A Country Song
Blondahl, Omar Catch of the Season 16 Songs of Newfoundland
Townsend, Graham Sir Wilfred Laurier Reel Salutes Canada's Prime Ministers
Kozak, Joe Border Baby Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee
Phillips, Stu Alexander Mackenzie A Visit to British Columbia
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou How High The Moon Pickin' Strings No. 2
Walker, Angus I'll Forgive You Bluegrass Special
King, Bob That's What's On My Mind That's What's On My Mind b/w No Parking Here
Townsend, Graham Alberta Polka Salutes Canada's Centennial
Sharpe, Wendell Long Long Lonesome Blues The Brightest One in Town
Phillips, Stu Bill Miner A Visit to British Columbia
Phillips, Stu Moon Over the Rockies A Visit to British Columbia
Kozak, Joe Tennessee Central No. 9 Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee
Kozak, Joe Lullaby Waltz Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee
Graham, Mike There's a Bridge in Little Current Momento of Manitoulin
Blondahl, Omar Bury Me Not On the Lone Prairie Omar's Favorite Folk Songs
Hewlett, Grant Nelson The Three Prospectors The Critics Choice...
Townsend, Graham Canadian Centennial Breakdown Salutes Canada's Centennial
Townsend, Graham Banks of Newfoundland Salutes Canada's Centennial
McInnis, Lew and The Rhythm Makers Thank God You're Mine ST
Trineer, Dougie Chromatic Boogie 24 Country Guitar Selections featuring
Hachey Brothers & Mary Lou A Gay Ranchero Pickin' Strings Country Style
Van den Bergh, Bev Marie I'm Leavin' You Spin it Country
King, Bob My Petite Marie Sing For Laurel Lee
Kozak, Joe The Lights are Growing Dim Canada Salutes Nashville, Tennessee
Smith, Hank (Heinz Schmidt) Our Blind Date Hank Smith and The Fabulous Rodgers Brothers
King, Bob My Son Calls Another Man Daddy Sing With Bob King and the Country Kings
Townsend, Graham Ontario Swing Salutes Canada's Centennial
Westmorland Singers Come On Down South At Home With

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