John Allan Cameron
Encyclopedia
John Allan Cameron, was a Canadian
folk
singer, "The Godfather of Celtic Music
" in Canada. Noted for performing traditional music on his twelve string guitar
, he released his first album in 1968. He released 10 albums during his lifetime and was featured on national television. He was a recipient of the East Coast Music Award's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Order of Canada
, conferred in 2003.
. He moved to Ottawa
, Ontario
in 1957 where he became an ordained Roman Catholic
priest
through the Order of the Oblate Fathers. But in 1964, a few months after ordination, Cameron obtained a dispensation
from the church to pursue studies in education at St. Francis Xavier University
, and eventually a career in music.
He was a regular on Singalong Jubilee in the 1960s and he was later host of two Canadian television series. The first was the Montreal-produced John Allan Cameron on CTV
from 1975 to 1976. He would return to national television on CBC
with the Halifax-produced The John Allan Cameron Show
which ran from 1979 to 1981.
Besides his numerous television and concert appearances, he performed at the Grand Ole Opry
in 1970.
In January 2005, Cameron was diagnosed with leukemia
. Several benefit projects such as concerts and a tribute CD were produced to support costs resulting from his treatment of this cancer.
On 22 November 2006, Cameron died of bone cancer in Toronto
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer, "The Godfather of Celtic Music
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...
" in Canada. Noted for performing traditional music on his twelve string guitar
Twelve string guitar
The twelve-string guitar is an acoustic or electric guitar with 12 strings in 6 courses, which produces a richer, more ringing tone than a standard six-string guitar...
, he released his first album in 1968. He released 10 albums during his lifetime and was featured on national television. He was a recipient of the East Coast Music Award's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, conferred in 2003.
Biography
Cameron was born in Inverness County, Nova ScotiaInverness County, Nova Scotia
Inverness County is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Its territory is almost contiguous with the Municipality of Inverness County, which only excludes the town of Port Hawkesbury and First Nation reserves.-History:...
. He moved to Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
in 1957 where he became an ordained Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
through the Order of the Oblate Fathers. But in 1964, a few months after ordination, Cameron obtained a dispensation
Dispensation (Catholic Church)
In the canon law of the Roman Catholic Church, a dispensation is the suspension by competent authority of general rules of law in particular cases...
from the church to pursue studies in education at St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
, and eventually a career in music.
He was a regular on Singalong Jubilee in the 1960s and he was later host of two Canadian television series. The first was the Montreal-produced John Allan Cameron on CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
from 1975 to 1976. He would return to national television on CBC
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
with the Halifax-produced The John Allan Cameron Show
The John Allan Cameron Show
The John Allan Cameron Show was a Canadian television variety series produced by CBC Television in Halifax from 1979 to 1980, with repeat episodes airing until 1982....
which ran from 1979 to 1981.
Besides his numerous television and concert appearances, he performed at the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
in 1970.
In January 2005, Cameron was diagnosed with leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. Several benefit projects such as concerts and a tribute CD were produced to support costs resulting from his treatment of this cancer.
On 22 November 2006, Cameron died of bone cancer in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Albums
| Year | Album | CAN |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Here Comes John Allan Cameron | — |
| 1969 | The Minstrel of Cranberry Lane | — |
| 1972 | Get There by Dawn | 75 |
| 1973 | Lord of the Dance | — |
| 1976 | Weddings, Wakes and Other Things | 78 |
| 1978 | Fiddle | — |
| 1979 | Freeborn Man | — |
| 1987 | Good Times | — |
| 1991 | Wind Willow | — |
| 1992 | Classic John Allan | — |
| 1996 | Glencoe Station | — |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN AC | |||
| 1972 | "Sit Down Mr. Music Man" | 8 | — | singles only |
| "Streets of London" | — | 4 | ||
| "Get There by Dawn" | — | 11 | Get There by Dawn | |
| 1973 | "Write Me a Picture" | 35 | — | single only |
| "I Can't Tell You" | 28 | — | Lord of the Dance | |
| 1976 | "Tie Me Down" | — | 33 | Weddings, Wakes and Other Things |
| 1982 | "Overnight Success" | 15 | — | single only |
| 1996 | "Getting Dark Again" | — | — | Glencoe Station |