2024 inductees

April 11, 1935 – January 6, 2024

Lucien Laramee of the music band "Small Town Limits" was born in La Broquerie, Manitoba. He started playing fiddle at the age of 11, learning from watching his dad Philippe play. His main influences were his Uncles Octave and Leon Parisein, also the Freynet brothers and of course Andy Dejarlis, Eugene Laderoute & many others. Lucien played at all kinds of gatherings.

Lucien got people on the dance floor the second his bow hit those strings so they always had him play. The tunes he learned quickly & were very danceable. One of Lucien's favourite memories on stage was in the late 1980s when they played on CBC TV at the Festival du Voyageur.

For his dedication to playing and excelling in fiddle music in his community and province, Manitoba Fiddle Association recognizes Lucien Laramee as an outstanding Fiddler/Performer!

Gudjon "Johnny" Johannesson · June 5, 1922 – December 18, 1994

In the early 1930s in Riverton, Manitoba, a truly legendary journey began with Sturlaugur "Laugi" Johannesson Sr. and his two young sons, Johnny, aged 12 and Kris, aged 9 playing violin for various house parties.

By 1941, Johnny and Kris had now become seasoned performers. Between 1941–1950 they gradually encouraged the remaining siblings Dorothy, Sella, Laugi and Kristine, along with family friend Harold Bjornson to join them in a full band. This was the start of "Johnny and His Musical Mates."

The band became a legendary name in Manitoba's Interlake Region, and an integral part of Riverton Music History spanning over six decades. They were sought after for their old-time danceable feel with a rich, full bodied musical sound. Johnny's strong lead violin along with Kris's smooth harmony were so in sync that often it sounded like just one amazing violin playing.

"This Incredible Family of Musicians will be remembered not only for their amazing fiddle music, but the hope they created in people's lives."

For their dedication to playing, Manitoba Fiddle Association recognizes Johnny and His Musical Mates as outstanding Performers!

Kristjan "Kris" Johannesson · December 22, 1925 – April 19, 2010

In the early 1930s in Riverton, Manitoba, a truly legendary journey began with Sturlaugur "Laugi" Johannesson Sr. and his two young sons, Johnny, aged 12 and Kris, aged 9 playing violin for various house parties.

By 1941, Johnny and Kris had now become seasoned performers. Between 1941–1950 they gradually encouraged the remaining siblings Dorothy, Sella, Laugi and Kristine, along with family friend Harold Bjornson to join them in a full band. This was the start of "Johnny and His Musical Mates."

The band became a legendary name in Manitoba's Interlake Region, and an integral part of Riverton Music History spanning over six decades. They were sought after for their old-time danceable feel with a rich, full bodied musical sound. Johnny's strong lead violin along with Kris's smooth harmony were so in sync that often it sounded like just one amazing violin playing.

"This Incredible Family of Musicians will be remembered not only for their amazing fiddle music, but the hope they created in people's lives."

For their dedication to playing, Manitoba Fiddle Association recognizes Johnny and His Musical Mates as outstanding Performers!

August 17, 1933 – November 8, 2023

Evelyn Gillander was born into a family of musicians, and at age 12 began playing acoustic guitar to accompany her three older brothers who played fiddle, dulcimer and accordion. By her 90th birthday, she had played with 27 different groups.

Evelyn's 1961 Les Paul Special guitar was her most prized possession and she always played it while performing. She played music that ranged from Ukrainian polkas to modern country pop, but her favourite was old-time dance music. She gave her final performance twelve days before her death at the age of 90 and enjoyed every minute.

Manitoba Fiddle Association recognizes Evelyn Gillander as an outstanding accompanist!

Richard of London, Ontario and Arlene of Selkirk met and married in Selkirk. Richard was unfamiliar with fiddle music but quickly learned to enjoy it as he heard a lot of it played by Arlene. He also picked up on the many dances associated with fiddle music. That was quite a feat for a city boy who loved rock and roll.

Arlene, on the other hand, loved fiddle music since she first heard it when she was about four years of age at a house party she attended with her parents. It was a tune entitled Silver & Gold twostep played by a fiddler friend of her parents. She also would sneak over to the community hall and peek in the side doors of the hall to watch the people square dancing. It looked very exciting.

Forward several years later, Richard bought her a fiddle for her birthday one year. Between a very hectic work schedule and four children involved in sports, she practiced as much as possible, ending up in tears a few times when the music didn't sound quite like it did on the records. Then she met Mr. Mel Bruce, a topnotch fiddler, who took her under his wing and encouraged her fiddling and later on sent her to fill in for some of his gigs when he was unable to attend due to health problems. Arlene played in several bands over the years, including the Country Jammers from Altona, the Moonshiners from Holland, Harvey Dueck Band from Miami, Highway 2-240 from St. Claude, Group Therapy from Carman, Garry Lepine from Portage La Prairie, the Trail Riders from Teulon, as well as Carm Colvin, Bryan Duncan and many others at various functions.

Arlene and Richard joined the Manitoba Fiddle Association in approximately 2002, serving as Board Member, then Arlene served as secretary of the Board, followed by running the Wall of Fame inductions for about fourteen years until the end of 2023. Congratulations on your induction to the Wall of Fame.