Guests at Shirley Howes’s 90th birthday party on August 23 found out that the Singing Farmers, a local choir made up of area residents, still has what it takes to entertain a crowd. The Singing Farmers had their heyday in the 1980s when the initial group of Murray Allen, John Allen, Kenny Allen, Grant Hepburn and Shirley Howes under the musical leadership of Kim Allen-McGill organized the group to sing at the Vankleek Hill fair.
From the original five, the number very quickly multiplied to approximately 20. The Singing Farmers sang at churches, fairs, as well as at the National Arts Centre and appearances on TV including On the Road Again with Wayne Rostad. “We played mostly for fundraisers and for fun,” remembered Shirley Howes. After one performance, someone asked Brian McDuff how much they charge for an evening. Brian responded, “We do it for nothing and we’re worth every penny”!
The Singing Farmers sang a selection of songs from their greatest hits and told a few stories and jokes. The audience enjoyed it and offered many compliments.
