The Ballad of Woodfibre b/w Bennett's Railroad Song

According to blacktusk.org, Charlie “Whitewater” Conroy was somewhat of a legend in the Howe sound area, homesteading near Brandywine Falls Provincial Park in 1908. Just prior to his death in 1972, he sold property to Ray Gallagher who ran a coffee shop which catered to Whistler-bound skiers. In his last year, the 82 year old irish tenor got together with his fishing buddy Terry Jacks and recorded this quirky ballad about the Woodfibre pulp mill, which was located across from Shannon Falls provincial Park and Darrell Bay. He sounds half cut and has a tough time staying with the beat, which adds to it's charm.

Woodfibre was one of the oldest pulp mills in British Columbia and it stunk up the entire Howe Sound Harbour, from Lions Bay to Squamish until it was finally closed in 2006. He recorded the ditty on his own "Brown Sound" label, seemingly a tribute to the pollution which Woodfibre caused to the air and water.

Just a few months after making this recording Charles took his last breaths of fresh air while swimming in the "white waters" under the bright Hawaiian sun.

Produced by Terry Jacks, A Poppy Family Production.
-Robert Williston