Our History
It all started with Peter Dawson
Originally from the Kelowna B.C., Peter followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and began playing fiddle when he was five – from there he never looked back! As he likes to say "I've had just enough classical training not to hurt my playing."
During the 1940's he played for dances and radio shows in Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton, B.C. In the early 1950's he joined several cross-Canada tours. By the mid 1950's he toured the Toronto/Hamilton night club circuit and appeared on several TV shows – many times on the Mainstreet Jamboree out of CHML in Hamilton, ON. Peter also played on the original recording of The French Song by well known Canadian artist, Lucille Starr.
Peter later joined the Wheeling Jamboree Radio Station, WWVA, in West Virginia, USA, as their staff fiddler and toured the United States and Canada with numerous country and bluegrass bands. During this time Peter also appeared at the famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
Peter returned home to Canada in the 1960's and established a business in Vernon, B.C., later opening The Music Loft in Pembroke, ON. before finally settling in Ottawa to focus on violins, all the while continuing to compose and record fiddle music. Peter Dawson was inducted into the North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame, Osceola, New York, July, 2005.
