Ron Hynes
Encyclopedia
Ron Hynes is a popular folk
singer-songwriter from Newfoundland
. He is especially known for his composition "Sonny's Dream
," which has been recorded worldwide by many artists and was named the 41st greatest Canadian song of all time on the 2005 CBC Radio One
series 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version
.
in December 1950, and raised in Ferryland
. He was a founding member of The Wonderful Grand Band, one of Newfoundland's most popular performing groups, and has released seven solo albums. His debut album, Discovery, released in 1972, was the first album composed of totally original content by a Newfoundland artist. Hynes is a seven-time East Coast Music Awards winner, and past Juno
and Canadian Country Music Awards nominee. He was named Artist of the Year ('92) and was presented with the prestigious Arts Achievement Award (2004) by the Newfoundland/Labrador Arts Council. In 2002, Hynes received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Memorial University in St. John's in recognition of his original songwriting and his contribution to the cultural heritage of Newfoundland. In 2006, Hynes was honored as the recipient of the St. John’s Folk Arts Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Currently recording on Canadian folk label Borealis Records
, Ron Hynes continues to tour regularly each year while playing numerous concerts in his hometown of St. John's, Newfoundland. Widely regarded as one of Canada's premiere singer-songwriters with a career spanning over 30 years, Hynes' songs have become part of the fabric of Newfoundland culture. His latest, self-titled album was released in early 2006 to critical acclaim. His work is also known outside the province; Hynes' songs have been covered worldwide by over 100 artists, including Emmylou Harris
, Valdy
and Christy Moore
Most recently, Hynes was the winner of Male Solo Recording of the Year at the 2007 East Coast Music Awards, and picked up three awards at the 2006 MusicNL awards show in November 2006. The awards included Entertainer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Folk/Roots Artist of the Year.
, Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave, The Island Opry Show, The Lost Island Opry, Secret Nation, Anchor Zone and Dooley Gardens
.
An independent tribute album, entitled 11:11 – Newfoundland Women Sing Songs by Ron and Connie Hynes, was also released in 1997, with Newfoundland's finest female artists performing songs written by Ron Hynes and his ex-wife Connie.
A documentary on Hynes, entitled Man of a Thousand Songs and directed by William MacGillivray (filmmaker), debuted at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival
.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer-songwriter from Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. He is especially known for his composition "Sonny's Dream
Sonny's Dream
Sonny's Dream is a folk song written by Newfoundlander Ron Hynes in 1976. It was recorded by him on "Living in a Fog"by the Wonderful Grand Band in 1981. The song was heard by Hamish Imlach while on a trip to Canada, who modified it somewhat and played it in folk-clubs in Britain...
," which has been recorded worldwide by many artists and was named the 41st greatest Canadian song of all time on the 2005 CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One is the English language news and information radio network of the publicly-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It is commercial free and offers both local and national programming...
series 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version
50 Tracks: The Canadian Version
50 Tracks: The Canadian Version was a Canadian radio series, which aired across Canada on CBC Radio One in 2005. The show, hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, was a competition to determine the 50 most essential songs in English language Canadian pop music history...
.
Biography
Hynes was born in St. John'sSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
in December 1950, and raised in Ferryland
Ferryland
Ferryland is a town in Newfoundland and Labrador on the Avalon Peninsula. According to the 2006 Statistics Canada census, its population is 529. Addresses in Ferryland use the alphanumerically lowest postal codes in Canada, starting with A0A....
. He was a founding member of The Wonderful Grand Band, one of Newfoundland's most popular performing groups, and has released seven solo albums. His debut album, Discovery, released in 1972, was the first album composed of totally original content by a Newfoundland artist. Hynes is a seven-time East Coast Music Awards winner, and past Juno
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
and Canadian Country Music Awards nominee. He was named Artist of the Year ('92) and was presented with the prestigious Arts Achievement Award (2004) by the Newfoundland/Labrador Arts Council. In 2002, Hynes received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Memorial University in St. John's in recognition of his original songwriting and his contribution to the cultural heritage of Newfoundland. In 2006, Hynes was honored as the recipient of the St. John’s Folk Arts Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Currently recording on Canadian folk label Borealis Records
Borealis Records
Borealis Records is a Canadian record label, founded in 1996 by four Canadian musicians. It is notable as being focused exclusively on the recording and development Canadian folk and roots music artists.- History :...
, Ron Hynes continues to tour regularly each year while playing numerous concerts in his hometown of St. John's, Newfoundland. Widely regarded as one of Canada's premiere singer-songwriters with a career spanning over 30 years, Hynes' songs have become part of the fabric of Newfoundland culture. His latest, self-titled album was released in early 2006 to critical acclaim. His work is also known outside the province; Hynes' songs have been covered worldwide by over 100 artists, including Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, Valdy
Valdy
Paul Valdemar Horsdal, CM , commonly known as Valdy, is a Canadian folk musician whose solo career began in the early 1970s. He is known for "Rock and Roll Song", his first mainstream single released in mid-1972 on Haida/A&M.He was a member of the London Town Criers during the 1960s and...
and Christy Moore
Christy Moore
Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
Most recently, Hynes was the winner of Male Solo Recording of the Year at the 2007 East Coast Music Awards, and picked up three awards at the 2006 MusicNL awards show in November 2006. The awards included Entertainer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Folk/Roots Artist of the Year.
Stage and screen career
Hynes has starred on screen and stage as an actor/writer in numerous roles dating back to the 1970s, including The Bard of Prescott Street, The Best of CODCOCODCO
CODCO was a Canadian comedy troupe from Newfoundland, best known for a sketch comedy series which aired on CBC Television from 1987 to 1992....
, Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave, The Island Opry Show, The Lost Island Opry, Secret Nation, Anchor Zone and Dooley Gardens
Dooley Gardens
Dooley Gardens is a Canadian television sitcom, which aired on CBC Television in 1999. The series was set in a hockey rink in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, inherited by Skye Dooley after the death of her father....
.
Albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Discovery | World Records/Audat |
| 1978 | The Wonderful Grand Band (with The Wonderful Grand Band) | Grand East Records |
| 1981 | Living in a Fog (with The Wonderful Grand Band) | |
| 1987 | Small Fry: The Ron Hynes Album for Children | Independent |
| 1993 | Cryer's Paradise | EMI |
| 1997 | Face to the Gale | |
| 1998 | Standing in Line in the Rain | Independent |
| 2001 | The Sandcastle Sessions | |
| 2003 | Get Back Change | Borealis Borealis Records Borealis Records is a Canadian record label, founded in 1996 by four Canadian musicians. It is notable as being focused exclusively on the recording and development Canadian folk and roots music artists.- History :... |
| 2006 | Ron Hynes | |
| 2010 | Stealing Genius | |
An independent tribute album, entitled 11:11 – Newfoundland Women Sing Songs by Ron and Connie Hynes, was also released in 1997, with Newfoundland's finest female artists performing songs written by Ron Hynes and his ex-wife Connie.
A documentary on Hynes, entitled Man of a Thousand Songs and directed by William MacGillivray (filmmaker), debuted at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival
2010 Toronto International Film Festival
The 35th annual Toronto International Film Festival, was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada between September 9 and September 19, 2010. The opening night gala presented Score: A Hockey Musical, a Canadian comedy-drama musical film. Last Night closed the festival on September 19.2010 TIFF included...
.
Singles
| Year | Single | CAN Country | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Story of My Life" | — | singles only |
| "Sonny's Dream Sonny's Dream Sonny's Dream is a folk song written by Newfoundlander Ron Hynes in 1976. It was recorded by him on "Living in a Fog"by the Wonderful Grand Band in 1981. The song was heard by Hamish Imlach while on a trip to Canada, who modified it somewhat and played it in folk-clubs in Britain... " |
79 | ||
| 1993 | "Cryer's Paradise" | 18 | Cryer's Paradise |
| "Man of a Thousand Songs" | 13 | ||
| 1994 | "No Kathleen" | 10 | |
| "Atlantic Blue" | — | ||
| "Roy Orbison Came On" | 18 | ||
| 1997 | "Godspeed" | 36 | Face to the Gale |
| 1998 | "Constance" | — |
Videography
- Cryer's Paradise, 1993;
- Godspeed, 1997;
- Ron Hynes – The Irish Tour, 2000 (full-length documentary);
- A Good Dog Is Lost, 2002;
- Record Man, 2003.
- THE MAN OF A THOUSAND SONGS, 2010, (feature documentary)
Awards and nominations
- 2007 ECMA
- won Male Artist of the Year
- nominated Album of the Year for the album Ron Hynes
- nominated Entertainer of the Year
- nominated Songwriter of the Year for the song Dry
- 2004 ECMA
- won Album of the Year for the album Get Back Change
- won Country Recording of the Year for the album Get Back Change
- 1999 ECMA
- nominated Male Artist of the Year
- 1998 ECMA
- nominated Country Recording of the Year
- nominated Male Artist of the Year
- nominated Songwriter of the Year for the song Godspeed
- nominated Video of the Year for Godspeed
- 1994 ECMA
- nominated Album of the Year for album Cryer's Paradise
- won Country Recording of the Year
- won Male Artist of the Year
- won Song of the Year for the song Man of a Thousand Songs
- nominated Video of the Year for Cryer's Paradise
- 1992 ECMA
- nominated Song of the Year for the song Never Met a Liar
- 1991 ECMA
- nominated Male Artist of the Year