User:Rustykam/sandbox

Evan Kemp And The Trail Riders - Biography

Born: Evan Herbert Kemp - January 22, 1928 - Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA Died: March 17, 2007 - Burnaby, British Columbia, CANADA

Evan Kemp was one of Canada's country music pioneers, often referred to as "The Golden Voice Of The Golden West". In his early childhood years his family had moved to Pangman, Saskatchewan, a near tragic, but ultimately prophetic move for the youngster, as he was temporarily blinded by rail-yard cinders. During his convalesence he became entranced with the yodel songs of Canadian music legend Wilf (Montana Slim) Carter, and when the family returned to live in Vancouver, young Evan began singing and yodeling on street corners to earn spending money. He was "discovered" while singing on the streets by Vancouver DJ Bill Rea who brought the young singer into CJOR studios to perform live on-air. It wouldn't be long before Evan Kemp began hosting his own radio shows in the 1950's on CKWX (Vancouver) and CKMO in Nanaimo, BC.

During the late 1950's-early 60's Evan Kemp headed-up his own band The BC Ranch Boys which soon evolved into the now renowned Evan Kemp & The Trail Riders, a group that once included fledgling musician Gary Fjellgaard, who would later go on the great fame with his solo artistry.

Evan Kemp recorded several albums for the Aragon Records label, achieving national airplay with the single releases Jessica Waltz, The Beautiful Nicola Valley, My Home By The Fraser, Legend Of Turtle Mountain, The Man We Never Knew, Sweet Molly Malone, and many more. He also recorded duets with fellow British Columbia artists Alberta Slim (aka Eric Edwards) and Shirley Field.

Evan Kemp also attracted national attention when he was featured on CTV's Cross Canada Barn Dance and as host of his own TV Show "The Circle 7 Ranch". He also appeared as a guest on the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Evan Kemp's name is enshrined in a "star" in Vancouver's Entertainment Walk Of Fame and he is an inductee in the British Columbia Country Music Hall Of Fame.