The end of an era.

It all started in 1996 when Jack talked about forming a country band.  Cindy Matthews, Jack Nicholsen, Kevin Quain, Rob Booth, Tony Benattar, Sam Ferrara, and Chip Yarwood came to be known as the Cameron Family Singers. They started performing on Sundays and later moved to their Saturday matinee slot.  

Tonight was a magical evening as the Cameron Family Singers wound up their long-running residency at The Cameron House. Although not having played regularly for several months, it was still hard to believe this would be the last time the “family” was to play the Saturday Matinee... or will it? Cindy announced that they may be back for special appearances from time to time in the fall.

The original cast, Cousin  Cindy, Cousin Jack, Cousin Sam, Cousin Kevin, Cousin Tony, and Cousin Rob and Cousin Chip, was back on stage together with “relative” newcomer, Cousin Shelley.

This was a celebration of the last decade with their many friends, followers and musicians, who reflect the history of music not just at The Cameron House but on Queen Street West in general.  The standing-room-only crowd couldn’t all fit up front, so a closed circuit feed broadcast the show in the back room for the overflow.

The Cameron House has been one of those rare places where many Canadian performers have cut their musical molars. The Cameron Family Singers were part of the on-going pulse and energy that helped keep that musical life blood flowing for the last decade, here and on Queen St. West. 

The evening started with a full set of Cameron Family standards.  The second set saw a string of guest artists, all with past and current connections to the House and the Band.

The list included (and I know I’m missing a couple):

Justin Rutledge who kicked off the second set and the crowd sang along.

Corin Raymond who has a Thursday residency in the Front room

David Baxter singing Carmelita

Bill Stahl from Little Jimmy’s Chicken Pickers (you can see them monthly, usually the last Saturday, in the front room) who did a song he said was based on asking himself the question, what if Frank Zappa lived on Walton Mountain?

John Borra well known to all

Joanne Mackell a long time friend of the band and now a regular at the Gladstone

Michael Laderoute sang “The Road Goes On Forever, but The Party Never Ends”, rather fitting for the occasion

Sue and Dwight, who have  the early Saturday Matinee residency in the front room

Max, lead singer of Rancho Mysterio, The Cameron Family Singers Spanish alter-ego

Ferraro which includes Cosmo, who takes over from Cindy as manager of the Cameron House effective today, and

Run With The Kittens who’s recent CD Release Party was so successful the bar ran out of supplies!

After a break and a lot of visiting, the third set went back to the Cameron Family Singers.  A double encore ended with Cindy on lead vocals for Stand By Your Man followed by Jack’s composition Big Black Cows.

An absolutely amazing evening. Everyone wishes Cindy, Jack (and Trigger the horse) a wonderful future.

“Farewell, so long,” from Paradise.

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