Searching for Gene McLellan

[Bill Fall]

Years before I took up steel, a friend loaned me a record by this great Canadian songwriter. I loved the album which, incidentally, had some delicious steel work reminiscent of Emmons' C6th blues technique, and which I only reluctantly returned to its rightful owner after much pitiful pleading on his part. Now I sorely wish I'd had the presence of mind to tape a copy, because I can't find either the friend or the album anymore.

An internet search turned up nothing more than passing reference to the fact that McLellan wrote Ann Murray's "Snowbird."

Does anyone know where or how to find any of his recordings? In any format? Even graphophone or wire recorder, if necessary??

[Roy Thomson]

Gene MacLellan died tragicly in 1995. He had 3 children and spent most of his life in Prince Edward Island.
He recorded 3 albums himself in the 70's and early 80's all of which are out of distribution.
His most famous songs were Snowbird, Put Your Hand in The Hand, The Call etc. His material was recorded by Elvis, Anne Murray, Perry Como, Andy Williams, Chet Atkins etc.
The following noted artist who currently tours in Canada did a tribute album to Gene a few years ago and could probably help you with getting a copy of Gene's Music.
John Gracie
67 Westmount Road,
Nova Scotia, Canada
B1R 1A2
If you do a search using "Google" using..... ..Gene MacLellan snow Bird... you will get a lot more info.
Hope this helps.
I used to have Gene's original album but sorry to say it is long gone. I loved his songs and his singing. The man never got his "due" for whatever reason.

Roy<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Roy Thomson on 28 December 2001 at 05:47 PM.]</p></FONT>

[Bill Fall]

Thank you, Roy, for the good info. Sad news tho. I agree completely that the man should have got much greater recognition as both a singer and songwriter.