Hall of Fame | Mariposa Folk Festival

2022 INDUCTION

GORDON LIGHTFOOT

“Over the past 62 years, the number of world-class artists that have graced our stage is truly exceptional,” said Foundation president Pam Carter. “Among these, however, Gordon Lightfoot stands apart for his unique contribution and commitment. Is his enshrinement overdue? Of course, it is. And the Foundation could not be more honoured to celebrate our connection with Gordon at this year’s festival,” added Carter.

“You take care of your home – and the Mariposa Folk Festival feels like coming home to me,” said Orillia native and music legend Gordon Lightfoot. “On stage at Mariposa with the sun setting on Tudhope Park is magic – always has been, always will be,” he added.

See the full story and video from Gordon Lightfoot’s induction here.

2019 INDUCTION

Owen McBride

Owen McBride arrived in Canada in 1963

A veteran performer, McBride was a key figure in the folk revival movement in Canada and in North American. He was a perennial favourite at the Mariposa Folk Festival, performing almost every year from1964 to the ’80s and frequently in subsequent years

A veteran folk music performer and storyteller, Owen McBride has built a reputation as an accomplished spoken word artist and performer of Irish folk music. He has performed at most of the major folk festivals, clubs and concerts halls across Canada and the United States.

A true, veteran folk music performer and storyteller. Owen has built a solid reputation over the years, as one of Toronto’s most accomplished storytellers and performers of Irish folk music.

Sharon, Lois and Bram

It began at Mariposa in the 1970s

“Because it’s time,” said Bram Morrison. At an age well beyond the normal retirement age, the duo has finally decided that it’s time to pass the baton to younger musicians.

For over forty years, the trio toured Canada and the United States sharing their wholesome and eclectic style of music with children, their parents and grandparents

All three are members of the Order of Canada. They’ve received myriad awards and accolades, including Folk Music Canada’s Estelle Klein Award (named after the legendary artistic director of the Mariposa Folk Festival,) the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals

in 1966, 1973 and 1976. Sharon was a solo performer in 1963, 1965, 1976 and 1978. Sharon and Bram were part of Mariposa’s 50th anniversary roster in 2010 and Bram once again played as a solo performer in 2015. Both Lois and Sharon were key players in starting Folk Play, the children’s area at the festivals in the mid-seventies. All three were heavily involved in the spin-off Mariposa in the Schools program in the seventies and early eighties. Their influence on children (and parents) cannot be underestimated

As the duo of Sharon and Bram make their final musical tour, they will be ending it at Mariposa, where this incredible partnership started over forty years ago.

The Travellers

Founding members consisted of Jerry Gray (banjo and lead vocals), Sid Doglay (mando-cello) and singers Helen Gray, Jerry Goodis and Oscar Ross

In 1965 singer Joe Hampson joined the group

Modeling themselves after Pete Seeger’s group The Weavers, the band had tremendous success in a nation that seemed reluctant to promote home-grown talent. Led over the years by banjo player Jerry Grey, the group has had many members come and go over the years.

Over their long career, the group has sung about and promoted values related to labour solidarity, peace, civil rights and social justice – values also espoused by the Mariposa Folk Festival.

We can thank the Travellers for that national treasure this Land is Your Land

2017 INDUCTION

Gerry Hawes, Richard Flohil, Peter Monahan

Gerry Hawes – When the festival came back to Orillia in 2000, Gerry headed Festivals Orillia Inc., a non-profit corporation otherwise known as FESTO, as its charter president. In that capacity, he was the person who led the team that staged the first and second festivals back in Orillia. He was the primary liaison with the Toronto-based Mariposa Folk Foundation board of directors but, more importantly, had a vision to “go big…or don’t do it at all.” Working with the Foundation president, Lynne Hurry, Gerry handled the often-tricky negotiations between the Orillia and Toronto interests. While the Toronto Mariposa group looked after the artistic and technical responsibilities, Gerry steered the resourcing of volunteers, financial arrangements and the nuts and bolts of the project. Also working with Lynne Hurry, Gerry established the conditions for the merger of the FESTO and Mariposa Folk Foundation boards of directors into one cohesive unit. Gerry later became President of Mariposa Folk Foundation and, even after he left the board of directors, has continued to have a large role. He has served for many years as the festival’s publicist, developed audience camping at Mariposa and serves as the committee co-chair, led the development of Mariposa’s online digital presence and continues to be Mariposa’ main digital driver, and serves as a key part of the promotions team. Gerry also serves as an important source or organizational memory. His contributions have been – and continue to be – key to the success of Mariposa in Orillia.

Richard Flohil – Richard has been involved in Mariposa since 1965 when Estelle Klein, the artistic director, brought him into the fold to be an advisor on blues programming. Richard not only advised but acted as an interviewer and stage host at a number of festivals. He became the festival’s publicist and authored a number of the programs over the years. He served on the board of directors in the 1970s, helping steer the festival through its most profitable and well-remembered years. In the late 1980s Richard served as artistic director, “discovering” and presenting the likes of Ani diFranco, Moxy Früvous and the Barenaked Ladies. After the festival’s return to Orillia, Richard kept up with the activities of the organization acting as an informal advisor and most recently was a stage host with his “performers vs crowd” pub quiz. Over fifty years as a participant in all things Mariposa has given Richard a unique perspective but also emphasizes his contributions to the festival and to folk music in Canada.

Peter Monahan – Peter’s long service as a volunteer cannot be matched by many people. He first volunteered in the 1980s and has returned to the festival over and over. He served in many capacities: board member, site manager, communications and central control lead and brought an unflappable efficiency to whatever job he took on. When the festival returned to Orillia in 2000, Pete was instrumental in advising on the logistics of set up, tear down and management of the site itself. Each festival weekend, Peter seems to be on the job from sunup to after sundown and can be relied upon to manage everything from golf carts to performer instruments to shuttle buses and accreditation. Such volunteerism is highly commendable and worthy of recognition.

2015 INDUCTION

Ken Rovinelli, Colin Puffer, John Sladek, Alan Mills

2010 INDUCTION

Jeff Weed, Jim Carnrite, David Warren

2009 INDUCTION

Gord Ball, Don Evans, Tim Lauer

This year, being the tenth anniversary of the festival moving back to Orillia, it was thought appropriate to honour the “three wise men” who made that happen.

The 2009 inductees into the Mariposa Hall of Fame are Tim Lauer, Don Evans, and Gord Ball the trio of folk aficionados who approached the Mariposa Board in Toronto to float the idea of bringing the festival back to its original home.

Then, once they’d done their successful selling job to the T.O folkies, these three threw themselves full bore into the project, and helped head the team of organizers who set up the festival at Tudhope Park. With their leadership, that group instituted many of the traditions and routines the organization follows to this day in order to bring off such a successful annual event.

In-Festival Induction

This year we were pleased to honour these three marvelous contributors at the Festival. We did this because we wanted their many Mariposa and Orillia friends and supporters to have the opportunity to be present to help Gord, Don, and Tim celebrate this achievement. Congratulations gentlemen

2008 INDUCTION

Estelle Klein and Ken Whiteley

On November 19, the Mariposa Folk Foundation inducted long-time artistic director Estelle Klein, and musician/producer/all-round wonderful human being, Ken Whiteley, into the Mariposa Hall of Fame. The event took place at Hugh’s Room in Toronto, a perfect venue for such an intimate ceremony.

Emcee Grit Laskin started things off with a few remarks and a song. Then former artistic director and sometimes Mariposa publicist Richard Flohil got up to reminisce about Estelle Klein and her pioneering work in modeling what all folk festivals across North America emulated. Toronto singer-songwriter Eve Goldberg also spoke about Estelle. Sylvia Tyson graced the stage and spoke eloquently about her friendship with Estelle and offered her congratulations to the late Estelle’s family. Mariposa Folk Foundation President, Catherine Brennan, presented Estelle’s son, Paul, with a plaque honouring his mother. Paul also addressed the audience, graciously acknowledging his mother’s love of the festival and its music.

The rest of the night was dedicated to performances by Ken’s close musical friends and family. Jenny, Dan, Ben and Jesse Whiteley performed a couple of numbers (joined by Uncle Ken as well) and Evalyn Parry sang a song which she’d done with Ken. Mose Scarlett provided a creative and entertaining Q & A – Mose asked a series of questions and Ken’s answers came in the form of sound clips from his various recordings. Al Simmons performed three hilarious numbers that had the audience in stitches. Holmes Hooke read messages from a variety of Ken’s friends and well wishers who were unable to attend the proceedings: Raffi, Tom Paxton, brother Chris Whiteley (emailing from England), David Essig (emailing from Thailand), Sid Dolgay (of the Travellers) and several others.

Fred Penner, a close friend and fellow entertainer actually wrote and recorded a brilliant song about Ken and it was played while the audience watched a slide show of Ken over the past 30 some years. Jackie Washington sent his regards via a short video clip, John Wort Hannam and Brent Titcomb performed songs that they dedicated to Ken and Colin Linden made a surprise appearance to play and also tell about how influential Ken has been in his life and career. That seemed to be theme that carried throughout the night. Mariposa Artistic Director, Mike Hill, presented Ken with a plaque to welcome Ken into the select crowd that includes Ian & Sylvia, Murray McLauchlan and founder Ruth Jones McVeigh. Finally, Ken was joined on stage by an all star cast of musicians for a final set that blew the audience away. Dennis Pendrith, David Wall, Pat Patrick, Bucky Berger, Caitlin Hanford and assorted family members joined Ken for several songs that left the audience wanting more.

2007 INDUCTION

Murray McLauchlan and Lynne Hurry

On Saturday, November 10th, Former Mariposa Folk Foundation President, Lynne Hurry, and singer/songwriter Murray McLauchlan, were inducted into the Mariposa Hall of Fame.

Lynne Hurry served many years as Mariposa’s president during intermittent stints. She led the struggle to keep the Foundation going when it fell on hard times, and she was a major force in seeing the Mariposa Folk Festival return and grow at its now permanent home in Orillia.

Murray McLauchlan is a Canadian roots musician who is also a household name. His songs such as Farmer’s Song, Down By the Henry Moore, Whispering Rain and Sweeping the Spotlight Away have added beautiful colour to the Canadian musical landscape. Murray’s connection with Mariposa began in 1967 when he auditioned for the weekly Mariposa-sponsored “hootenanies” at the legendary Riverboat in Yorkville. Murray used his art school training to design the program in 1968, and it was Murray who took Ian Tyson’s original sun logo and turned it into the whimsical sun face that is Mariposa’s iconic logo to this day. Over the years, Murray has appeared numerous times at Mariposa Folk Festival.

The evening induction ceremony began with a showing of the 1993 documentary film called Under a Stormy Sky, about Mariposa Folk Festival that featured a younger Murray McLauchlan singing The Berlin Wall.

Legendary Canadian rocker, Ian Thomas served as Master of Ceremonies.

Rick Fines and Suzie Vinnick played a medley of delta blues tunes as a special tribute to Lynne Hurry, and one of her close friends, Sheila Cuthbertson, gave a poetic and personal testimonial about this outstanding person.

Catherine Brennan, acting President of Mariposa Folk Foundation, described Lynne as the third woman in a ‘holy trinity’ at Mariposa who steered the festival through good and bad times. Ruth Jones started it; Estelle Klein developed it; and Lynne saw it return to beinga strong and robust organization. Lynne gave a brief but moving thank you and was given a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd.

Ian Thomas returned to the stage, this time as a singer. He performed a ‘Murray song’ that included some pretty elaborate finger picking and complex chord structure. The audience loved it! Ian then called up Brent Titcomb, a long-time friend of Murray. Brent was a member of the iconic folk-rock band Three’s a Crowd who were the first musicians to record a McLauchlan song. Brent played Coat of Colours, a beautiful tune that many in the audience had never heard before. Marie-Lynne Hammond, one-time member of Stringband and a CBC radio host at the same time that Murray was hosting Swinging on a Star on CBC, took to the stage next. She was flanked by Cindy Church and Suzie Vinnick as they played Don’t Put Your Faith in Men, a feminist number written years ago by Murray. Cindy Church continued the show. Her choice of material was Murray’s song Path of the Moon, loaning her beautiful voice to a beautiful melody. Seeing that it was the day before Remembrance Day, it was somewhat appropriate and fitting that Murray’s pal Vezi sang Murray’s song The Great War. It was a heartfelt and suitable rendition of a wonderful song. Liam Titcomb, Brent’s 20 year old son and a rising star in the Canadian music scene, completed the tribute portion of the evening by singing Burned Out Car. Ian Thomas made much of the fact that Murray had been 20 when he’d first appeared at Mariposa and that there was serendipity in the fact that Brent sang the first song of Murray’s that was ever put on record and here was Liam, singing a song of Murray’s that was to be found on record forty years later.

Twice during the evening Holmes Hooke, the velvet-voiced poet who inhabits Hugh’s Room, got up on stage to read messages from those not at the ceremony. Welcoming both inductees, Sid Dolgay and Ruth Jones-McVeigh sent their regards from Florida and British Columbia respectively. U.S. folk legend Tom Rush wrote a message, stating that he feels Murray has written “some of the best songs ever written – by anyone, ever.” Bruce Cockburn reminisced about how he recalled Murray introducing him to the Mariposa folks. Barney Bentall sent an email that touched on his personal travels and adventures with Murray as well as thanking him for “his music, his family and his friendship.”

Ken Rovinelli, a member of the board of directors for Mariposa, told of Murray’s many contributions to Canadian culture and his connections with Mariposa over the years. Murray was then presented with a plaque and a framed copy of the 1968 cover that he’d designed so long ago. It was then time for Murray to take the stage.

Showing the class and character that make him such a worthy inductee, Murray’s first song that he performed was not one of his own but rather Early Morning Rain, a nod to Gordon Lightfoot who was seated about 10 feet away! Murray then called up the other members of his group, Lunch at Allen’s – Cindy Church, Ian Thomas and Marc Jordan – to join him in various ways while he sang. Cindy joined him on Farmer’s Song; Ian’s mandolin playing enhanced numbers like Shoeshine Working Song; and Marc’s vocal harmonies were apparent on songs like No Change in Me. For a finale, Murray used those skills (“I’ll be the bouncing ball”) that he has honed over the years and led a sing-along version of White Water, a catchy tune that had the entire room singing with him. Following a very long and raucous standing ovation, Murray returned for an encore and sang an unaccompanied version of Whispering Rain to close out the evening.

2006 INDUCTION

Ian & Sylvia Tyson, Don Cullen

In the words of emcee Nancy White, it was “Canada’s version of a reunion of the Beatles.” It was historic. It was amazing. It was the reunion – for one memorable night – of Canada’s greatest folk music duo, Ian and Sylvia.

Ian and Sylvia headlined the very first Mariposa in 1961. Not only did they headline, but Ian was a key organizer of the inaugural event. He even designed Mariposa’s first logo. Both performers, since their musical and marital split in the mid 1970s, have graced the Mariposa stage a number of times as individual performers as well.

Also honoured in the Hugh’s Room event was long-time Mariposa supporter and ‘presence’, Don Cullen. Known to most Canadians as one of Wayne and Shuster’s repertoire players,

Don has been a key figure in Toronto music and entertainment circles since the late 1950s. He established the legendary Bohemian Embassy, where acts such as Ian & Sylvia often got their start in the music business.

A number of musical guests appeared on stage to pay their respects to the Tysons with words and songs. Nancy White, Aengus Finnan and Marie-Lynn Hammond sang historic Ian and Sylvia tunes. Toronto’s Good Brothers played Summer Wages and included Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor in their short set. Keelor and Margaret Good sang a version of Katy Dear which sounded eerily close to the original Ian & Sylvia version. Eccentric guitarist and singer David Wilcox, who played with the Tysons in their band The Great Speckled Bird, rocked the house with a couple of acoustic bluesy numbers.

Ian Tyson and Sylvia Fricker. Headlining the first Mariposa Folk Festival in 1961.

Gordon Lightfoot spoke off the cuff about his friendship and admiration for Ian & Sylvia and Don. Congratulatory telegrams came from the likes of Leonard Cohen, Nanci Griffith, Eric Andersen, Tom Russell and Ronnie Hawkins. Nancy White served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

2005 INDUCTION

Ruth Jones McVeigh, Pete McGarvey, Ed Cowan, Dr. ‘Casey’ Jones, Sid Dolgay, David Major, Ted Schafer