{{short description|Canadian bluegrass and country musician (1939–2024)}} [[File:Angus Walker 2015.jpg|thumb|Walker in 2015]] '''Angus Reynolds Walker''' (August 27, 1939 – November 6, 2024) was a Canadian [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] and [[Country music|country]] entertainer from [[Port Hastings, Nova Scotia|Port Hastings]], [[Cape Breton Island|Cape Breton]], Nova Scotia. He has been called "Canada's Prime Minister of Country Music" and "The Cape Breton Rebel".
Walker has appeared as a vocalist, [[Double bass|upright bass]] and rhythm guitar player with various groups and artists. He has been featured on several albums and singles for various labels including [[Boot Records|Boot]] and [[Rodeo Records]] in addition to making numerous radio and television appearances such as CBC's [[Countrytime (1970 TV program)|Countrytime]].<ref>[https://novascotia.ca/archives/nsfilm/imageite.asp?&Start=196&Start=2131 "'The Way We Were': Nova Scotia in Film, 1917–1957"]. Nova Scotia Archives collection</ref> He has worked with [[Fred McKenna]], [[Vic Mullen]], [[Don Messer]], [[Mac Wiseman]], [[The Bailey Brothers and the Happy Valley Boys|Charley Bailey]], [[Doc Williams (singer)|Doc Williams]], and [[Ben Kerr]], [[Marg Osburne|Marg Osborne]] and [[Levi Brenton Williams|Brent Williams]], among others.
== Music career == [[File:George Beck Jamboree Promotional Image.png|thumb|Promotional image |226x226px|left]] Walker's music career began at the age of 12, performing at local venues until 1953, when he began to appear with Ron Spencer, Cris Chisholm and Earl Chisholm as part of the Radio Rangers on [[CJFX-FM|CJFX]] Radio.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|date=December 4, 1974|title=The PM and Cabinet Complete Local Lounge Circuit|work=The Scotia Sun}}</ref> After 1956, he appeared as part of the West Virginia Jamboree Show with [[The Bailey Brothers and the Happy Valley Boys|Charley Bailey]] and later toured with future Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame alumni [[Fred McKenna]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ccma.org/cgi/page.cgi/hall_of_fame_inductees.html?log=view&log_id=83|title=Hall of Fame Inductees: Fred Mckenna|date=2010|website=Canadian Country Music Association|access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref> and George Beck as a member of Beck's "Maritime Playboys".<ref name=":11" /> Walker also participated and won the "[[CBC Television|CBC]] Talent Caravan", which was held at [[St. Francis Xavier University|Saint Francis Xavier University]] and adjudicated by [[Glenn Sarty]].<ref name=":5" /> Around the same time, Walker played the upright bass, rhythm guitar and sang in various roles with The Birch Mountain Boys<ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Brenton |title=Levi Brenton Williams Before and After Notoriety |publisher=Writers' Republic |year=2022 |isbn=9798885364188 |pages=}}</ref> who consisted of [[Vic Mullen]] usually playing banjo, Brent Williams playing fiddle and providing vocals, guitar and harmony and Harry Cromwell on mandolin, lead guitar<ref>{{Cite web |title=TF007 New Brunswick: Maritime Bluegrass |url=https://www.thefolkpodcast.com/episodes/tf007-new-brunswick-maritime-bluegrass |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=The Folk Podcast |language=en-US}}</ref> and singing harmony.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QLEYAwAAQBAJ&q=Angus+Walker|title=Country Music Artists: A Directory of their Nostolgic Backing Groups 1920s to Present Day|last=Taylor|first=Derek|year=2000|isbn=9781447591184|pages=189|publisher=Lulu.com }}</ref> Eventually, he became a full-fledged member of the group.<ref name=":11" /> Walker and the group became one of the earliest performers of Canadian Bluegrass music in the early 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/bluegrass-emc|title=Bluegrass Music {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia|date=January 31, 2010|website=The Canadian Encyclopedia|access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref> The group performed at small venues in places such as [[Ingonish]], [[Neil's Harbour, Nova Scotia|Neil's Harbour]], [[Baddeck]], [[Waycobah First Nation|Waycobah]], [[Port Hawkesbury]], [[Goldboro, Nova Scotia|Goldboro]], and [[Chéticamp, Nova Scotia|Cheticamp]], among others. [[File:The CJCH Countrymen promotional image.png|thumb|The CJCH Countrymen]] After The Birch Mountain Boys disbanded in 1961,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nscmhf.ca/inductees/2001vicmullen.html|title=Vic Mullen|website=Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":11" /> Walker became part of The CJCH Countrymen. The group was assembled via audition by [[CJCH-FM|CJCH]] for their program which was "...the first cross-country television show of country music ever to originate in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]]"<ref name=":5" /> titled "The CJCH Countrymen Jamboree".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Angus Walker |url=https://www.facebook.com/people/Angus-Walker/100075825109708/ |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}</ref> The CJCH Countrymen consisted of Walker (lead vocal and rhythm guitar), Beck (bass), Mullen (fiddle and banjo), Chuck Lohnes (steel guitar) and Ross Broughm (lead guitar). During this time, The Countrymen were the house band for the aforementioned TV show while also performing on the road with notable performers such as [[Mac Wiseman]], [[Marg Osburne|Marg Osborne]] and Tommy Common. Later, Beck then Walker reunited with Williams and Cromwell, who had already relocated to the [[Gaspé, Quebec|Gaspe]] area<ref name=":11" /> as part of Beck's latest iteration of "The Maritime Playboys" who performed on weekly TV show for [[CHAU]] in [[Carleton-sur-Mer|Carleton, Quebec]].<ref name=":11" /> [[File:Carters.png|left|thumb|The Hackamores and Carters ]] In 1963, Walker transitioned to Montreal where he eventually joined Dougal Trineer's band "The Hackamores" mostly appearing as a rhythm guitarist and harmony singer, along with Paul Menard on fiddle, June Davey supplying bass and vocals and Trineer as lead guitarist and singer. As part of big package shows organized by the CFOX radio station in Montreal, The Hackamores opened for both Buck Owens and The Carter Family at the Montreal Forum in 1964. The Hackamores also backed "...many of the country records out of Montreal" at the time,<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|date=May 2, 1966|title=Canadian Country Shapes Up|work=RPM Music Weekly, Vol.5, No.10|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Vol+5%2C+No.+10+-+Week+of+May+2nd%2C+1966.pdf|access-date=October 10, 2019}}</ref> in addition to playing at several venues in the Montreal and Toronto areas such as the Blue Angel, The Wagon Wheel and The Monteray Club where The Hackamores were considered the main attraction for a time.<ref name=":11" />
Four of Walker's singles charted above the top 50 in RPM Magazine's weekly ranking of [[Country music]] songs between 1965 and 1971. ''Cadillacin' Around,'' written by Will Odo and recorded with The Hackamores, plateaued at No. 2<ref name=":0" /> and gained him "national popularity"<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume+12-No.+14-November+22%2C+1969.pdf|title=Walker Tapes for Big Chief|date=November 22, 1969|work=RPM Weekly Magazine|access-date=November 30, 2019}}</ref> before winning the [[RPM Gold Leaf Award]] (later known as the [[Juno Award]]s) for "Most Promising Male Country Singer"<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dAkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT75|title="Previous Juno—Gold Leaf Winners from 1964 to '72".|date=April 27, 1974|work=Billboard Magazine|access-date=October 10, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Vol+4%2C+No.+21+-+Week+of+January+17th%2C+1966.pdf|title=RPM Music Awards|volume=4|date=January 17, 1966|work=RPM Magazine|issue=21|access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref> in 1965. Due to these successes, by 1966 he was receiving "much recognition as an up and coming country singer".<ref name=":10" /> In 1968, Walker did some guesting work with Doc Williams and The Border Riders.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 27, 1968 |title=Country Music |url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume+8-No.+22-January+27%2C+1968.pdf |access-date=November 30, 2019 |work=RPM Music Weekly}}</ref> Peaking at No. 35 in 1970 was ''Crazy Tricks''<ref name=":1" />'','' written by Merv Smith and produced by [[Dick Damron]] and recorded in Edmonton. During this time in Alberta, Walker continued to have popularity in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume+12-No.+13-November+15%2C+1969.pdf|title=Big Chief Signings|date=November 15, 1969|work=RPM Weekly|access-date=November 30, 2019}}</ref> In 1971, two of Walker's recordings reached the top 50 starting with the self-penned ''Canadian Country Music Man'' which featured Marie Babin (vocals) and "first call"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cmaontario.ca/newsletter/ontarios-country-music-pioneers-mickey-mcgivern/|title=Ontario's Country Music Pioneers: Mickey McGivern|website=Country Music Association Ontario|date=10 July 2017 |access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref> studio lead guitarist Mickey McGivern, reaching as high as No. 22.<ref name=":2" /> Later that year, ''Parliament Hill'', written by [[Ben Kerr]] and produced by Trineer, peaked at No. 18 on ''RPM Weekly's'' Country song listing.<ref name=":3" /> [[File:Canada's Prime Minister of Country Music.png|thumb|Boot Records promotional image of Walker]] In the fall and winter of 1970 and 1971, now known as Canada's Prime Minister of Country Music, Walker made appearances on [[CBC Television|CBC's]] [[Countrytime (1970 TV program)|Countrytime]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://3345.ca/rpm-magazine/search/?q=Angus+Walker&pg=1|title=Turner Corralling Top Country Acts|date=August 28, 1970|work=RPM Weekly Magazine|access-date=November 30, 2019}}</ref> and on May 12, 1971, Walker joined folk performer and television personality [[Don Messer]] on a tour across Canada.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://3345.ca/rpm-magazine/search/?q=Angus+Walker&pg=0|title=Angus Walker joins Messer tour|date=June 12, 1971|work=RPM Weekly Magazine|access-date=November 30, 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://www.caledonenterprise.com/news-story/1373169-council-considers-establishing-university/ "FORTY YEARS AGO"]. ''Caledon Enterprise'', Aug 08, 2012</ref> Additionally, Walker performed ''Parliament Hill'' on an episode of The [[Don Messer]] Show that aired on January 29, 1972, on [[CKY-DT|CJAY-TV]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://3345.ca/rpm-magazine/search/?q=Angus+Walker&pg=3|title=RPM Nuts and Bolts|date=January 22, 1972|work=RPM Weekly Magazine|access-date=November 30, 2019}}</ref> Walker also spent time playing at The Dunes nightclub in Hawaii, starting in 1972<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 24, 1972|title=Marathon's Taylor in Full Disc Production|work=RPM Weekly Magazine|url=https://3345.ca/rpm-magazine/search/?q=Angus+Walker&pg=3|access-date=November 30, 2019}}</ref> along with Bobby Munro on piano and Doug Lewis on bass. Upon returning to Canada, Walker assembled his own exclusive band known as "The Cabinet" featuring lead guitarist Steve Lau whom he had met during his time in Hawaii and brothers, Larry and Henry Brennan, on drums and bass, respectively. In 1975, Walker received "heavy east coast airplay for his ''Diesel Drivin' Man'' single",<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RPM-IDX/IDX/70s/RPM-1977-03-26-OCR-Page-0027.pdf|title=Angus Walker into surgery|date=March 26, 1977|work=RPM Magazine|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> recorded with The Cabinet<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|date=December 20, 1975|title=RPM Picks|work=RPM Magazine|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume+24+No.+13+-+December+20%2C+1975.pdf|access-date=November 30, 2019}}</ref> and also made an appearance on The [[Ian Tyson]] Show backing [[Jim and Don Haggart]].<ref name=":5" />
Walker began an indefinite hiatus from his music career due to medical issues in 1977<ref name=":8" /> although he did occasionally record songs and perform<ref>{{Cite web |title=Angus Walker |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2421994-Angus-Walker |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=Discogs |language=en}}</ref> after 1989 as "The Cape Breton Rebel". In October of 2024, Walker was inducted into the Canadian Bluegrass Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Bluegrass |date=2024-10-09 |title=Canadian Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Inductees for 2024 |url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/canadian-bluegrass-music-hall-of-fame-inductees-for-2024/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Bluegrass Today |language=en-US}}</ref> Walker died on November 6, 2024 at the age of 85.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Obituary of Angus Reynolds Walker {{!}} MacIsaac Funeral Home LTD |url=https://macisaacs.ca/tribute/details/747/Angus-Walker/obituary.html |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=macisaacs.ca |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Discography==
=== Albums === {| class="wikitable" !Year !Group !Album !Instrument !Label |- |1961 |Angus Walker and The Birch Mountain Boys |Blue Grass Songs |Lead vocals and rhythm guitar |Banff |- |1963 |Angus Walker and The Birch Mountain Boys |Bluegrass Special |Lead vocals and rhythm guitar |Banff |- |1963 |Brent & Harry |Country Special |Bass |Banff |- |1965 |Allan Trineer |Allan Trineer-10 Jim Reeves Golden Hits |Vocals and rhythm guitar |Disques Major |- |1965 |Bob King |A King in the Country |Bass |Banff |- |1966 |Angus Walker and The Birch Mountain Boys |Let's Sing Bluegrass Songs (re-issue of "Blue Grass Songs") |Lead vocals and rhythm guitar |Rodeo |- |1966 |June Davey with The Hackamores |Patsy Cline and Kitty Wells |Guitar and bass |Point |- |1967 |Dougie Trineer and The Hackamores |Straight From the Heart |Guitar and harmony |Point |- |1967 |The Hackamores |The Hackamores |Rhythm Guitar and vocals |Harmony |- |1975 |Angus Walker and The Cabinet |Introducing Angus Walker: Canada's Prime Minister of Country Music |Lead vocals and rhythm guitar |Cynda |- |2016 |Angus Walker and The Birch Mountain Boys |Blue Grass Songs (re-issue with bonus tracks) |Lead vocals and rhythm guitar |Rosedale |- |2017 |Angus Walker and The Birch Mountain Boys |Bluegrass Special (re-issue with bonus tracks) |Lead vocals and rhythm guitar |Rosedale |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Single (A side/ B side) ![[RPM (magazine)|CAN]] Country !Label |- |1960 |Some Must Fail/I'm the One that Broke her Heart | |Rodeo International |- |1964 |Eatin' Outta Your Hand/Hit Parade of Love | |Rodeo International |- |1965 |Cadillacin' Around/Roses and Rings |#2 (A side)<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=7812&|title=Top 50 Canadian Chart|date=November 15, 1965|work=RPM Magazine, Volume 4, No. 2|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> |Citadel |- |1969 |Crazy Tricks/Movin' Man |#35 (A side)<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=10628&|title=Top 50 Canadian Chart|date=May 9, 1970|work=RPM Magazine, Volume 13, No. 12|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> |Big Chief |- |1970 |My Wife's Liberation Front/Canadian Country Music Man |#22 (B side)<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9883&|title=Top 50 Canadian Chart|date=February 13, 1971|work=RPM Magazine Volume 14, No.26|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> |Rodeo International |- |1971 |Don't Wake the Sleeping Lion/ Parliament Hill |#18 (B side)<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9326&|title=Top 50 Canadian Chart|date=September 4, 1971|work=RPM Magazine, Volume 16, No, 3|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> |Rodeo International |- |1971 |Ode to a Country Singer/Four Strong Winds | |Cannon |- |1975 |Diesel Drivin' Man/ Parliament Hill | |Boot Records Limited |- |1975 |Heavy Country Music/I'm a Believer | |Cynda Records |}
===Compilation albums=== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Album name !Label |- |1962 |George Beck Picks: The Top Country & Western Hits |Banff/Rodeo Records |- |1963 |16 Great Country Songs by 16 Great Canadian Country Artists |Banff Records |- |1963 |Angus Walker Picks: 16 Western and Country Hits |Rodeo International |- |1963 |16 Great Songs of Praise |Rodeo International |- |1964 |16 Great Country Songs by 16 Great Canadian Country Artists |Banff |- |1965 |16 Great Canadian Country Artists |Rodeo International |- |1966 |16 Bluegrass Favorites |Rodeo International |- |1966 |Vic Mullen presents Countrytime Jamboree |Rodeo International |- |1967 |16 Country Hits-Various Artists |Rodeo International |- |1985 |50 Bluegrass Favorites Vol. 1 & 2 |Holborne Distributing |- |1993 |Nova Scotia Country |RMS Recordings/Atlantica Music |- |2015 |Bluegrass Sing, Sing, Sing |Rosedale |}
== References == <references />
==External links== *{{discogs artist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Angus Reynolds}} [[Category:1939 births]] [[Category:Canadian bluegrass musicians]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian male singers]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian male singers]] [[Category:People from Inverness County, Nova Scotia]] [[Category:Canadian country singer-songwriters]] [[Category:Canadian male guitarists]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian guitarists]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian guitarists]] [[Category:Rhythm guitarists]] [[Category:Canadian male singer-songwriters]] [[Category:20th-century Canadian singer-songwriters]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian singer-songwriters]] [[Category:2024 deaths]]