Annotation:Joe MacDonald's (2)
JOE MACDONALD'S [2]. Canadian, Reel (whole time). Canada, New Brunswick. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB'. "Joe MacDonald's" was composed by Elmer MacDonald (1934-), Mirimichi, New Brunswick, who played with Elmer MacDonald and the Valley Rhythm Boys. Joe MacDonald (1931-) was a 1997 inductee in the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame (NBCMHF), followed by his brother Elmer in 2006. The 1997 NBCMHF notice reads:
Joe MacDonald was born on January 2, 1931 at Bay Side, Northumberland County, NB. He played for his first dance in 1940 at the only Vocational High School in NB at the time. He fell asleep several times while playing, as a dance was to go from dusk to dawn, lucky to get paid one dollar for the night. He played with his father, Mont MacDonald. In fact, the whole family played. He played with anyone that could play a tune. His brother Elmer is a great fiddler and guitar player. Joe himself plays any instrument that has strings. His favourites are the banjo and guitar. The late Maurice Beaulieu showed him how to play the banjo at the old Ferry Road Hall.
While in the army, stationed at Petawawa, Ontario, he played with Matilda Murdockâs late brother K.D. Kelly and the Ottawa Valley Boys. They played Chalk River, Petawawa, Pembroke, etc. K.D. was one of the best in his time. Joe played with the Irving Orchestra under Jack Irving. In 1960, Joe formed his own band and called it the BJâs. It got its name from all the Bobs and Joes in the band.
Joe played with many artists that came and went at CFB Chatham. Everyone wanted to play in Joe MacDonaldâs band. In 1975, he renamed the band âBlack Diamondâ, and it remained as Black Diamond until he retired from the band. He has done sound for many events including the Irish Festival for 10 years.
Joe has been very active in community projects. Along with the late Bob Murdock, they are responsible for the founding of the Miramichi Fiddlers, Maritime Fiddlers Doos in Douglastown, The Seamans Hospital Project by Miramichi Heritage Inc. and was one of the founding members of Miramichi Sanatoria Club. Like his father used to say: âI played for everyone that built a barn or had a fire, from the head of the time to Escuminac.â
