Information/Write-up
Canada’s Queen of the Yodel
Shirley Field has been a cornerstone of Canadian country and cowboy music for more than six decades, celebrated for her rich voice, showmanship, and world-class yodeling. Born in Armstrong, British Columbia, she began performing at the age of twelve, armed with her Sears “Stella” guitar and a love of the music of Patsy Montana and Wilf Carter. By fifteen she was hosting her own radio program on CFJC Kamloops, The Cowboy’s Sweetheart Show, a title that became her early trademark.
In 1950, Field won the title of Canadian Female Yodeling Champion at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, where Wilf Carter himself judged the competition. It was the first of many awards that would mark her career. Appearances followed on CBC and CTV, including Cross Canada Barn Dance, and tours that brought her across the West. She was soon performing alongside major U.S. artists such as Marty Robbins and Loretta Lynn, the latter becoming a lifelong friend.
In 1962, Shirley achieved a career highlight when she was invited to Nashville to perform on the Grand Ole Opry, followed by an appearance on Ernest Tubb’s Midnite Jamboree. While there, she recorded her first Nashville single at Owen Bradley’s legendary Barn Studio: Elton Britt’s “Chime Bells” backed with her own original composition “An Illusion”.
Throughout the 1960s, Shirley recorded a string of releases for the Rodeo/Banff and Melbourne labels — five singles in total between 1963 and 1969, alongside two full-length albums: The Two Sides of Shirley Field (Rodeo RBS-1186, 1963) and Yours Sincerely (Banff RBS-5309, 1969). Among her most collectible records is the 1965 Melbourne single “We’re Going Skiing” b/w “Ski Rock” (WG-3193), a rockabilly-inspired novelty cut that became a ski lodge favourite across Western Canada and remains a sought-after 45 among collectors today.
Her recording career was matched by extensive touring. Shirley fronted her own all-female band, The Dartels, which included her sister Judy, and she built a reputation as one of Canada’s premier live acts. She became known for her powerful interpretations of country standards as well as her own songs, many of which highlighted her dazzling yodeling technique.
In 1972, Shirley partnered with Nova Scotia-born singer Billy G. French for the duet LP Together (Periwinkle PER-7306 / Vintage SCV-115). The album showcased their chemistry across Canadian-penned material by Gordon Lightfoot, Doug Ballard, Don Cochrane, and Art Snider, alongside popular Nashville hits of the day. The pair toured widely as “The Shirley Field Show,” earning the Entertainers of the Year in Canada award in 1971 and consistently selling out theatres and lounges across Ontario.
By the late 1970s and 1980s, Shirley returned to solo performance, with her focus increasingly on cowboy and gospel music. She recorded prolifically on cassette and CD, issuing albums such as Just A Yodel For Me, Seasons of Our Lives (1993), Yodeling Memories, The Country Side of Shirley Field, He Taught Me to Yodel, The Spirit of the Cowboy, Let the Wild Horse Run, and Together Again (1999). The latter was a deeply personal project, dedicated to her teenage sweetheart and eventual husband Fred Frederickson, with whom she reunited after decades apart.
Alongside her recordings, Shirley helped pass on the art of yodeling through her instructional CD/book How to Yodel the Cowboy Way (1997, with Rudy Robbins). Her dedication to preserving the tradition earned her international acclaim, including an International Yodeling Award (1993), the Will Rogers Yodeler of the Year (1999), and induction into the British Columbia Cowboy Hall of Fame. In 2006 she was inducted into the BC Country Music Hall of Fame and later received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alberta Women of Country Music.
Her story was featured in the CTV documentary Memory Trail (2000), and she has continued to perform at cowboy festivals and special events into the 21st century, her voice and yodel still strong.
Today, Shirley Field’s legacy is that of a trailblazing Canadian cowgirl, bridging rodeo stages, national radio and television, Nashville studios, and Alberta ranchlands. With her commanding vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and dazzling yodels, she rightfully deserves the title: Canada’s Queen of the Yodel.
-Robert Williston
Shirley Field: vocals
Billy G. French: vocals
Sebastian Agnello: lead guitar
Larry Dee: steel guitar
Bobby Munro: piano
Andy Greatrix: bass
Roy Berti: drums
Produced by Art Snider
Engineered by Glenn Clarke
Recorded at Sound Canada Recording Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Cover design by Jeff Snider and Tom Fenny
Liner notes:
Country music fans have come to love and appreciate the vocal talents of Shirley Field (born at Armstrong, B.C.) from her personal appearances and her previous records. And now Shirley has joined forces with Billy G. French (from Glace Bay, N.S.) to produce a truly great album of country music winners.
It is a well judged blend of selections. In these liner notes, telling of two of Canada’s greatest talents, who have faced what they struggled up and accomplished successfully. Their talents deserved recording and the best has been brought forth and released to this album “Together”. The variety of materials present is ideally suited to display the wide vocal ranges and ability of Shirley and Billy. With this album you will understand Billy’s tremendous regional, national, international popularity and “Always in demand” reputation.
This is Shirley’s first several of the favoured and most requested songs from her fans. On side one Shirley delivers a couple of the finest renditions in Billy’s own creative stylings, and songs from the famed Canadian writers: Doug Ballard, Don Cochrane, Art Snider and Gordon Lightfoot.
Among the past credits to Shirley are awards of original-recognized songs and renditions she gave during her many national appearances and of course her records in the top 20 in sales.
In the year 1971 brought many awards, credits and praises to their talents. Their own popularity soared and still remained. They were presented the award as “Entertainers Of The Year in Canada”. A title carried wherever they play. (At Owen May, 1972 it is standing room only performances). In 1972 (tour) it’s sold out.
Basil Brown, Manager of the Twin Gables Lounge in Listowel, Ontario says “Shirley Field and Billy G. French are by far one of the most popular acts we have ever booked at the Gables. I have pleasure of having on our stage at the Twin Gables”.
However, when you treat with humility, charm and style, as both Shirley and Billy do, the Canadian Government has seen fit to honour given to people around the world this coveted award and the state of Kentucky. Less than 20 other Canadians have received this award.
When the Shirley Field Show, starring Shirley and Billy appear in your area, go out and see them, and we think you will agree that you have been well entertained by these two dynamic entertainers.
To know them is to love them. Their reputation of friendliness, sincerity, and honesty is appreciated wherever they perform. It stands but their talents entitles them to a long lasting feeling of love and respect.
-Colonel Harry Chappell
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