- My association with Andy DeJarlis and his music began at a very early age, long
before I met the distinguished gentleman. When I was a young boy, growing up in Manitoba,
I had listened to many of Andy's weekly radio broadcasts. His unique style of fiddling and
his rendition of his theme song "Blueridge Mountain Home" soon became his
trademark. His music had great appeal and he gained tremendous popularity in Western
Canada. It wasn't long before he became a household name.
-
- In 1949, when I moved to Ontario, the next several years I had lost contact with
his music. It wasn't until 1956 when he began to record for Quality and London Records,
that I re-aquainted myself with his distinctive style of playing. His unique style of
fiddling was very contagious and I soon became hooked on his masterful touch. He made a
host of new friends across Canada through his recordings.
-
- Andy was unique in many ways. He was more than just a fiddle player. He became a
prolific composer/arranger and lyricist of fiddle music. He composed approximately 350
fiddle tunes.
-
- His original ideas were like a breath of fresh air - he molded his ideas and made
fiddle music a work of art. He elevated the level of fiddle playing to its highest level,
as we know it today. Many of his peers would describe his rhythmic expressions as most
exciting. When Andy played the fiddle, people would stop and listen.
- Andy was many years ahead of everyone. He was in a class all by himself. He
received many awards and a citation from the Mayor of Winnipeg for his musical
contributions and achievements.
-
- After 60 years, when you hear fiddle music, whether it's at a fiddle contest, a
concert hall, dance hall or wedding, you will hear fiddlers from across Canada, both young
and old playing fiddle tunes composed by Andy DeJarlis. He became a legend - a Canadian
institution.
-
- Congratulations Reverend Franceene Watson for your relentless efforts in
preserving the music of the great Andy DeJarlis who created the "Red River"
style of Old Time Fiddling which was the soul and spirit of the early settlers.
-
- Thank you Andy for providing us with the worlds greatest fiddle music. May the
music you created, live in the hearts of people for many generations to come. You will
always be my greatest hero.
-
- Sadly missed - your friend,
- Victor Pasowisty
-
- Acknowledgements
- The following people have had a profound impact on my musical career:
-
- Andy DeJarlis
- Andy had a great philosophy about music. All music should have soul and spirit.
You cannot separate the two.
-
- Brodus Baxter Farmer
- My music teacher. He taught me all the basics of violin/fiddle playing. Also, he
taught me to be a winner and a good loser.
-
- My Family
- They encouraged me to continue with my music. I bored them to tears with my
practicing - squeak, squawk, squeak, squawk
-
- My Father, William Pasowisty
- A fiddler himself. He was also a member of the Manitoba Old Time Fiddlers
Association 1927 - 1936
-
- My Uncle, Johnny Pasowisty
- We played many weddings and dances when we were teenagers
- The late Bill Mankiss
- A very dear friend of mine. One of the finest accordion players in Canada. A
superb musician. He also had a great sense of humour.
-
- Phyllis McDowell
- She accompanied many fiddlers at the Shelbourne Fiddle contest. An excellent
piano player.
-
- Smilin' Johnny
- He taught me to always think positive
-
- Lynn Russwurm
- A very knowledgeable historian of Country and Western music.
-
- Bill Oja
- Bill never leaves his home without his camera. A great promoter of Canadian
talent.
-
- Acknowledgements
-
- Johnny Brent
- The voice of the CKNX Barn Dance. Thank you for your professional tips.
-
- Earl Heywood
- Earl is the founder and honorary president of the CKNX Barn Dance historical
society. Great leadership skills. I am proud to be a member of your organization.
-
- My Fiddle Students
- I thank you for believing in my method of teaching. It was always interesting to
work with so many talented people
-
- Cliff McIntosh
- The founder of the Shelbourne Fiddle contest. He had a dream of developing
Canadian Old Time Fiddling through fair competition. This gave fiddlers an equal
opportunity to perform on stage and demonstrate their skills.
-
- Willis McNeilly
- The producer of the "Tour of Champions". It was an honor to perform
with two of my favorite opponents, Ed Gurki and Rudy Meeks. It was always a challenge to
compete with them.
-
- My Fans
- Thank you for your support. Without you, this would all be meaningless.
-
- Walter Ostanek
- Canada's "Polka King". Three time Grammy Award winner. I have known
Wally since 1962. Always a great inspiration to everyone. I admire your determination for
excellence.
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- Turn Of The Century
-
-
- Acknowledgements
-
- Victor Pasowisty
Mike Slauenwhite
- Fiddles/Violins
-
- Walter Ostanek
- Accordian
-
- Eric Maher
- Accordian Electric and Acoustic Guitars
-
- Bob Green
- Drums
-
- Paul McGrath
- Piano
-
- Sherry Johnson
- Piano
-
- Gord Ogilvie
- Bass Guitar
-
- Mathew Johnson
- Bodhran
-
- Engineer Jay Riehl
- Assistant Engineer David Kalmusky
- Cover Design John Salmond
- Graphics Brian Huber
- Co-ordinator Michele Bell
- Producer Victor Pasowisty
- Co-Producer Mike Slauenwhite
- Tribute to the Great Andy DeJarlis Written by V.
Pasowisty; Narrated by Jim Swan
-
- Special thanks to Grant Heywood
- and my fiddling partner Mike Slauenwhite
-
- All Compositions written by Andy De Jarlis except Blueridge Mountain Home,
Wednesday Night Waltz and Precious Memories (arranged by Ron Coulthard)
-
- This album is dedicated to:
Dolly (De Jarlis) Carriere, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Andy's sister)
Wayne De Jarlis, Sechelt, B.C. (Andy's son)
- Please support the Andy De Jarlis Entrance Scholarship program established
through the University of Victoria and the Andy De Jarlis Fiddle Camps
- For further information, contact:
Reverend Franceene Watson
Telephone/FAX (250) 721-1120
E-Mail <fkmw@uvic.ca>
- Tribute excerpt
Congratulations Reverend Franceene Watson for your relentless efforts in preserving the
music of the great Andy DeJarlis who created the "Red River" style of Old Time
Fiddling which was the soul and spirit of the early settlers.
-
- Victor Pasowisty
- Turn of the Century
-
- Side One
- 1. Turn of the Century (2:45)
2. Weekenders Two-step (2:26)
3. Andy's Old Time Waltz (2:44)
4. Louis Riel Reel (Metis) (2:48)
5. Andy's Schottische (2:46)
6. Carrick Jig (2:25)
7. Wednesday Night Waltz (4:00)
8. Shin Plaster Polka (2:06)
- Side Two
- 1. Blueridge Mountain Home (2:45)
(Andy's Theme Song)
2. Centennial Two-step (2:18)
3. Lucky Dreams (3:02)
4. Countess of Dufferin (Polka) (2:29)
5. Romeo's First Change (Jig) (2:27)
6. Burgundy Waltz (3:07)
7. Flaming Arrow Reel (Metis) (2:40)
8. Precious Memories (3:03)
- Recorded and mixed at:
Signature Sound Recording Studio
R.R. #2 Gadshill, Ontario N0K 1J0
-
- Manufactured and Distributed by:
- Unauthorized Reproduction is prohibited
- 1999 Vic-Mark Productions, All Rights Reserved
-
- Made/Printed in Canada
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