John Allan Cameran was a regular on Singalong Jubilee in the 1960s and he was later host of two Canadian television series. The first was the Montreal-produced John Allan Cameron on CTV from 1975 to 1976. Guests included Stan Rogers, Edith Butler, The Good Brothers, Stringband, Colleen Peterson, Adam Mitchell, Michael Cooney, Shirley Eikhard, Liam Clancy, Tommy Makem, Nancy White, Steve Goodman, and Rhythm Pals. Cameron would return to national television on CBC with the Halifax-produced The John Allan Cameron Show which ran from 1979 to 1981. He was also a guest star on Sharon, Lois & Bram’s The Elephant Show in 1986. John Allan Cameron also was the host of Super Variety Tonight, a CBC television special that aired on Sunday, April 4, 1982 featuring several guests including Sharon, Lois & Bram.

Besides his numerous television and concert appearances, he performed at the Grand Ole Opry in 1970

This is a heartfelt tribute by Dave Gunning who continues to be inspired by John Allan’s life and music.

REVIEWS

CBC
BOB MERSEREAU

Gunning Grabs Two National Folk Awards
Tue, Dec 6, 2011.

Congrats to Pictou County, NS stalwart Dave Gunning, who was one of the big winners at this year’s Canadian Folk Music Awards, held this past weekend in Toronto. Gunner, as he’s affectionately referred to by pals such as George Canyon, grabbed two trophies, and landed smack-dab on the national radar, where it’s well known he deserves to be recognized. His wins came for Traditional Singer of the Year, and (I always love this one) Emerging Artist of the Year. Given that he’s been emerging since 1997, perhaps it should be called, The Trophy We Should Have Given Him Last Millenium.