The Good Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Good Brothers are a Canadian country, bluegrass and folk music group originating from Richmond Hill, Ontario
. The band's core members are Brian Good (guitar), his twin brother Bruce Good (autoharp
) and younger brother Larry Good (banjo
).
Brian and Bruce Good initially joined guitarist James Ackroyd to form the band James and the Good Brothers in 1967. Their self-titled album was released on Columbia Records
in 1967. After a tour itinerary throughout North America, including a Toronto concert opening for Grand Funk Railroad
, the Goods wished to return to Canada while Ackroyd sought to continue in the United States.
In 1973, younger brother Larry Good joined the twins to form a new band which first performed 14 May 1974 in Toronto at The Riverboat club. Since then, the band has extensively toured Canada, United States and Europe. Their role in Canadian music was strengthened by winning the Juno Award for Country Group or Duo
for eight consecutive years from 1977 to 1984.
The Good Brothers were supplemented by other musicians such as John P. Allen (fiddle
) and Bruce's son Travis Good of The Sadies
(guitar and mandolin
). Travis was a regular member of The Good Brothers when Larry took a leave of absence throughout the 1990s.
The 1988 single entitled "You Won't Fool This Fool This Time" was written by Bernie LaBarge
. It reached #14 on the Canadian country charts.
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Richmond Hill is a town located in Southern Ontario, Canada in the central portion of York Region, Ontario. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, being located about halfway between Toronto and Lake Simcoe...
. The band's core members are Brian Good (guitar), his twin brother Bruce Good (autoharp
Autoharp
The autoharp is a musical string instrument having a series of chord bars attached to dampers, which, when depressed, mute all of the strings other than those that form the desired chord. Despite its name, the autoharp is not a harp at all, but a chorded zither. -History:There is debate over the...
) and younger brother Larry Good (banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
).
Brian and Bruce Good initially joined guitarist James Ackroyd to form the band James and the Good Brothers in 1967. Their self-titled album was released on Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1967. After a tour itinerary throughout North America, including a Toronto concert opening for Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad is an American rock band that was highly popular during the 1970s. Grand Funk Railroad toured constantly to packed arenas worldwide. A popular take on the band during its heyday was that, although the critics hated them, audiences loved them...
, the Goods wished to return to Canada while Ackroyd sought to continue in the United States.
In 1973, younger brother Larry Good joined the twins to form a new band which first performed 14 May 1974 in Toronto at The Riverboat club. Since then, the band has extensively toured Canada, United States and Europe. Their role in Canadian music was strengthened by winning the Juno Award for Country Group or Duo
Juno Award for Country Recording of the Year
The Juno Award for "Country Recording of the Year" has been awarded since 1970, as recognition each year for the best country music artist in Canada...
for eight consecutive years from 1977 to 1984.
The Good Brothers were supplemented by other musicians such as John P. Allen (fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
) and Bruce's son Travis Good of The Sadies
The Sadies
The Sadies are a Canadian indie rock and alternative country band from Toronto, Ontario.-Background:The band consists of Dallas Good , Travis Good, Sean Dean and Mike Belitsky...
(guitar and mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
). Travis was a regular member of The Good Brothers when Larry took a leave of absence throughout the 1990s.
The 1988 single entitled "You Won't Fool This Fool This Time" was written by Bernie LaBarge
Bernie LaBarge
Bernie LaBarge is a Canadian guitarist, singer, and songwriter.-History:Bernie LaBarge began studying guitar at age 11, shortly after seeing The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, February 9, 1964. Bernie has been playing professionally since 1967...
. It reached #14 on the Canadian country charts.
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | CRIA | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN | ||||
| 1967 | James and the Good Brothers | — | 52 | — | Columbia |
| 1975 | The Good Brothers | — | 58 | — | RCA |
| 1977 | Pretty Ain’t Good Enuff | — | 72 | — | |
| 1978 | Doin' the Wrong Things Right | 6 | 67 | — | |
| 1979 | Some Kind of Woman | 9 | 49 | — | |
| 1980 | Best Of | 11 | 95 | — | |
| Live | 4 | 41 | Gold | Solid Gold | |
| 1982 | Person to Person | — | — | — | |
| 1983 | Live'n Kickin | — | — | — | |
| 1986 | Delivering the Goods | — | — | — | Savannah |
| 1990 | Live Fast, Love Hard | — | — | — | |
| 1994 | So Many Roads | 22 | — | — | |
| 1996 | Gone So Long (Live in Europe) | — | — | — | Hogtown |
| 2001 | One True Thing | — | — | — | |
| 2005 | Live at the Rattlesnake Saloon | — | — | — | |
| 2006 | Blind Faith | — | — | — | |
| 2008 | Restricted Goods | — | — | — |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN AC | CAN | |||
| 1976 | "That's the Kind of Man I Am" | 20 | — | — | The Good Brothers |
| "Midnight Flight" | 15 | 24 | 74 | ||
| 1977 | "Homemade Wine" | 14 | — | — | |
| "Good Boogie" | — | — | — | ||
| 1978 | "Cowboy from Rue St. Germain" | 30 | — | — | Pretty Ain't Good Enuff |
| "Truck Driver's Girl" | 16 | — | — | Doin' the Wrong Things Right | |
| "Please Come Back to Me" | — | 12 | 25 | ||
| 1979 | "Let Love Go" | 45 | — | — | |
| "Some Kind of Woman" | 19 | 30 | — | Some Kind of Woman | |
| 1980 | "Brown Eyed Girl" | 15 | 2 | — | Live |
| 1981 | "Fox on the Run" | — | — | — | |
| 1982 | "Weekend Rodeo" | 29 | — | — | Single only |
| "Summertime" | 6 | — | — | Person to Person | |
| 1983 | "Person to Person" | — | — | — | |
| "Hold Out" | 27 | — | — | Live'n Kickin | |
| 1984 | "Celebrate" | — | — | — | Single only |
| 1986 | "This Could Be Serious" | 31 | — | — | Delivering the Goods |
| 1987 | "Better Off Alone" | 19 | 20 | — | |
| "High Rollin' Heart" | 22 | — | — | ||
| "Gone So Long" | 8 | — | — | ||
| 1988 | "You Won't Fool This Fool This Time" | 14 | — | — | |
| 1990 | "Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young" | 14 | — | — | Live Fast, Love Hard |
| "She Told Me So" | 10 | — | — | ||
| "Why Baby Why Why Baby Why "Why Baby Why" is the title of a country music song co-written and originally recorded by George Jones. Released in late 1955 on Starday Records, and produced by Starday co-founder and Jones manager Pappy Daily, it peaked at #4 on the Billboard country charts that year... " |
20 | — | — | ||
| 1991 | "We Don't Always See Eye to Eye" | 10 | — | — | |
| 1994 | "That's What Highways Are For" | 10 | — | — | So Many Roads |
| "I Really Dug Myself a Hole" | 9 | — | — | ||
| 1995 | "The Shape I'm In" | 63 | — | — | |
| "Don't Know Much About Love" | — | — | — | ||
| 2002 | "What the Hell I've Got" | — | — | — | One True Thing |
| "Honey and Heartache" | — | — | — |