Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers reflect on 40-year career as new members of Order of Canada

For 40 yearsBuddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers have been making their audiences keel over from laughter with their own brand of humour stemming from their roots in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Their sketches and songs have been so successful, in fact, that the group itself isevery bit a part of the province's culturethey've been drawing their own inspiration from.

That's why in late December, the trio Kevin Blackmoreof Glovertown, Wayne Chaulkof Charlottetown and Ray Johnson of Carbonear were appointed to the Order of Canada.

"I came up with 363 towns and cities that we've performed in. Think further to that, the number of towns we've passed through to get to those, to stop for lunch, to go visit somebody or whatever, we've seen this country from northeast, southwest and all over," Chaulksaid Monday.

"The benefitsof money, fulfilment and bringing music to people, that's one thing. But we intimately got to know the country and that's a gift."

The three comedians and songwriterswere appointed for theircontributions to Canadian music and comedy andasambassadors forNewfoundland and Labrador's culture and heritage.

The band was formed in Glovertown in 1983. Chaulk and Johnson were teachers at the time, while Blackmore had just moved to the area.

"We were asked to do a little show with a whole bunch of other people. At the end of the show they ran out of material and wanted somebody else to go on stage," said Chaulk.

"We just popped out there and came up with something on the fly and just felt good about it. A few days later we said we'd just get together and play some music."

Turning out hits

Johnson had already released six albums by the timeBuddy Wasisname and the Other Fellerswasformed.

He brought his catalogue with him when the group started piecing things together.

The trio started playing traditional Irish and Newfoundland songs but before long started turning out their own originals.

Songs like Sarah and Saltwater Joysbecame instant hits and are still popular in venues throughout Newfoundland and Labrador today.

"Predominantly, in the beginningit was comedic, which was great. But then after a while we branched out to more pensive, thoughtful ballads and things like this, and I was delighted," said Chaulk.

Each member salutesthe others for being the comedic backbones of the group.

Blackmore said comedy in the mainstream has changed in the years since he, Johnson and Chaulk penned sketches likeDa Yammie,about a souped-up snowmobile.

However, each agrees a song likeSaltwater Joysstands the test of time because it's a songthat can be about any home not just Newfoundland and Labrador.

"It's universally a favourite song. It doesn't matter where it's played, everybody loves it," said Blackmore.

"The sentiment is the same for everybody who has "home."

As for the future, Chaulk jokes the group is taking 10 years off to write some new material.

"Who knows beyond that," he said.

The group will be invited toan investiture ceremony at a later date to receive their Order of Canada insignia. The dateof the ceremony hasn't been announced.

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