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charlene · 10-30-2014, 01:13 PM

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/201...ge-hamilton-iv Country music legend, George Hamilton IV suffered a major heart attack backstage at the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 13 and died the following Wednesday in a Nashville hospital at the age of 77.

A memorial tribute to Hamilton will be held at Grace United Church in Barrie this Sunday.

Appearing on this program will be Hamilton's good friend and fellow Canadian country music Hall Of Fame legend, Johnny Burke, and longtime sideman Glen Reid. Also on the program will be popular local vocalists Mary-Florence Bartley and Bob Dutton as well as the duo of Anne Wood and Kathy Hummel who all played programs with Hamilton in the greater Barrie area in recent years.

A member of the Opry for 54 years, in addition to performing sold-out country music concerts all over the world, Hamilton also played many small church settings telling the stories of songs of faith by people like Fanny Crosby, Joseph Scriven, and Hank Williams Sr.

For example, he twice played to capacity crowds at the 90 seat Ebenezer United Church south of Midland which he considered as meaningful as singing at the annual Havelock Jamboree.

He got his start in the music industry in 1956 with the teenage ballad "A Rose And A Baby Ruth". In his early days, he toured with Buddy Holly, Paul Anka, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and others. His many and varied international appearances earned him the title "international ambassador of country music‚" because of his unfailing courtesy and quiet humour.

He was a unique friend to Canada and Canadian musicians promoting the music and careers of Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Tyson and other great performers in the last half of the 20th century. He hosted his own TV program out of CHCH in Hamilton where he often showcased up and coming Canadian talent as well as established stars. One of his own hit records was "Canadian Pacific" the theme track for his TV show. In 1972, he was honoured as the first American to receive a Canadian Juno award for his contribution to the Canadian music industry.

One of Hamilton's many interests was the Sea Turtle Hospital in North Carolina committed to rescuing and healing injured and ailing turtles along the east coast of the United States. He performed annual benefit concerts at the hospital site. As a result all proceeds from the Nov. 2 concert will go to support the fledgling turtle hospital at Scales Nature Park near Orillia.

Tickets for the program are $10 and available at 70-737-5835 or from the Grace United Church office. The concert starts at 7 p.m. The church is located at 350 Grove St. E.

10-30-2014, 01:13 PM	#1
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	Trib.concert for George Hamilton http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/201...ge-hamilton-iv Country music legend, George Hamilton IV suffered a major heart attack backstage at the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 13 and died the following Wednesday in a Nashville hospital at the age of 77. A memorial tribute to Hamilton will be held at Grace United Church in Barrie this Sunday. Appearing on this program will be Hamilton's good friend and fellow Canadian country music Hall Of Fame legend, Johnny Burke, and longtime sideman Glen Reid. Also on the program will be popular local vocalists Mary-Florence Bartley and Bob Dutton as well as the duo of Anne Wood and Kathy Hummel who all played programs with Hamilton in the greater Barrie area in recent years. A member of the Opry for 54 years, in addition to performing sold-out country music concerts all over the world, Hamilton also played many small church settings telling the stories of songs of faith by people like Fanny Crosby, Joseph Scriven, and Hank Williams Sr. For example, he twice played to capacity crowds at the 90 seat Ebenezer United Church south of Midland which he considered as meaningful as singing at the annual Havelock Jamboree. He got his start in the music industry in 1956 with the teenage ballad "A Rose And A Baby Ruth". In his early days, he toured with Buddy Holly, Paul Anka, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and others. His many and varied international appearances earned him the title "international ambassador of country music‚" because of his unfailing courtesy and quiet humour. He was a unique friend to Canada and Canadian musicians promoting the music and careers of Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Tyson and other great performers in the last half of the 20th century. He hosted his own TV program out of CHCH in Hamilton where he often showcased up and coming Canadian talent as well as established stars. One of his own hit records was "Canadian Pacific" the theme track for his TV show. In 1972, he was honoured as the first American to receive a Canadian Juno award for his contribution to the Canadian music industry. One of Hamilton's many interests was the Sea Turtle Hospital in North Carolina committed to rescuing and healing injured and ailing turtles along the east coast of the United States. He performed annual benefit concerts at the hospital site. As a result all proceeds from the Nov. 2 concert will go to support the fledgling turtle hospital at Scales Nature Park near Orillia. Tickets for the program are $10 and available at 70-737-5835 or from the Grace United Church office. The concert starts at 7 p.m. The church is located at 350 Grove St. E.