2000 Inductees
 

Smilin' Ivan Dorey was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 26, 1926 but spent his early years in Liverpool. He joined the army in 1943 but after the war, the well known fiddler Jim Hamm suggest that Ivan get a guitar. He has been picking and singing ever since. He got his first break when he and Fiddlin' Jim Hamm got a daily show on CKBW Bridgewater in 1948. In 1949 Ivan along with Denny Westhaver moved to CJKL in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. After working the area out, they moved to CJAD Montreal where they stayed for a year and a half. In 1951, Ivan spend almost a year in the hospital. This resulted in him being out of circulation and he had to start his music career all over. In 1952, he returned to the airwaves along with Fiddlin' Jim Hamm on CKBW Bridgewater.

In 1954, Smilin' Ivan Dorey & The Nova Scotia Plowboys began recording for Rodeo Records. Their first release was "Even Steven" and "You Bit Off More Than You Can Chew". The bandincluded Jim Hamm on fiddle, "Champ" Johnson on steel and Billy Reid on bass. Once again they headed for Ontario and did a show for CFOR Orillia sponsored by 7-Up. Ivan continued to play in Ontario until returning to Nova Scotia in the early 1960s. His most popular recording was his version of Ted Germaine's "Sable Island Short". In the 1980s his 78's were reissued on LP by the Castle label in Germany.

Ken Davidson, born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 9, 1924, although primarily a guitarist and bassist has always had a love for the violin. While living in Cape Breton, Ken had the pleasure of playing with Angus Chisholm and Winston “Scotty” Fitzgerald. In Ottawa he played with Ward Allen for over ten years in the very popular touring group, the CFRA Happy Wonderers, later known as the Family Brown in which Graham Townsend succeeded Ward. Since returning to Nova Scotia in the seventies, Ken has performed in many “fiddle fests” featuring Ivan and Vivian Hicks, Bill Guest, Ron Noiles, Keith Ross, Nancy Roach, and many other excellent fiddlers. In 1991, Ken Davidson, along with the Family Brown, Hal Botham, and Joe Pino, were inducted into the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame. At the ceremonies, Ken was the recipient of a plaque presented by the Ottawa-Hull Federation of Musicians in recognition of his contribution to the heritage and culture of the Ottawa Valley. Ken Davidson passed away October 20, 2001.

Colin J. Boyd was born in West Lakevale, Antigonish Country, Nova Scotia on January 1, 1891. He took a great interest in the violin at age three and would listen intently to his uncle Hughie MacGillivary. When Hughie died his fiddle was given to Colin who was then twelve years old. He was kept busy playing for concerts, dances and weddings.

The economy in Nova Scotia hit a slump and in 1909 Colin went to work in Ontario. Then he spent from 1911 to 1916 working in Boston where he studied violin and learned to read music. It was during this time he composed his most famous fiddle tune "The Little Burnt Potato".  Colin was the first Nova Scotian in the old time or country field to make commercial recordings. He first recorded in Montreal for Brunswick on March 19, 1932. He also recorded 78's on the Columbia and Celtic labels. He last recorded an LP in 1963 at the age of 72. His old 78's were re-issued on LP in 1979. Though Colin has ten children, none of them have taken up the fiddle.

Although Colin did not make a lot of money on music, he got much enjoyment from playing and entertaining. His home was always open to anyone wanting to hear a tune and he never refused to play. He passed away June 17, 1975 at the age of 84.

Frederick Lawrence (Ned) Landry was born in Saint John, New Brunswick on February 2, 1921. His first musical instrument was the harmonica, which he learned to play at a very young age. By age eight he was already making personal appearances playing harmonica and step dancing. He used to play his uncle’s fiddle, which he was not supposed to touch, but finally his aunt had him an old fiddle and he was soon playing all the old tunes. Ned joined Don Messer & His New Brunswick Lumberjacks in the mid 1930’s playing harmonica and fiddle. By this time he could also sing and play the guitar. In 1939 Messer moved to CFCY Charlottetown to take over The Islanders. At 18 Ned started leading the New Brunswick Lumberjacks and continued playing on CHSJ Saint John. In 1952 he signed a contract to record for RCA and his records became very popular. As well as old standards he recorded many of his own tunes such as Ontario Swing, Bowing The Strings and a great vocal on The Lumberjack Waltz. He has now composed more than 500 tunes. In 1956 while in Ontario with Big Slim he entered the North American Fiddling Championship and won in two classes. He returned in 1957 winning again as he did on his final visit in 1962. Ned has received many honors over the years. He was inducted into the North American Fiddler’s Hall of Fame in Redford, N.Y. in 1981. On July 2, 1983 he was inducted in the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame in Fredericton, N.B. and on April 29, 1992 he was flown to Ottawa to receive The Order of Canada.