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Wally Traugott: The Story of one of Canada's Finest Fiddler

 

Wally Traugott kitchener fiddler

From Kitchener prodigy to Main Street Jamboree star - the early career of a Canadian country music legend. This man should be in the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame!

When discussing the greatest Canadian fiddlers of the 1950s, one name stands tall: Wally Traugott. Born in Kitchener, Ontario in 1934, this musical prodigy would become known as the finest fiddler ever to come out of Canada before transitioning to a legendary career as a recording engineer in the United States.

This blog post will focus mainly on his early career as a fiddler.

Early Musical Genius

Wallace Edward Traugott was born on September 11, 1934, in Kitchener, Ontario, the youngest of three boys in a remarkably musical family. His talent emerged extraordinarily early - his first musical love was the trumpet when he was just five years old. By age six, young Wally was already performing as a trumpet soloist on concerts and broadcasts throughout the Kitchener-Waterloo region.

At age seven, Wally's attention turned to the violin, and he began picking out melodies by ear. What set him apart was his possession of perfect pitch and complete retention of any tune he heard - a gift that apparently ran in the Traugott family, as his older brother Erich would go on to become the top trumpeter in Toronto musical circles.

Classical Training Meets Natural Talent

Wally studied violin for years under Mr. Rudolph Roth, a respected schooled violinist who taught him the intricate art of playing this challenging instrument. The combination of rigorous classical training and natural ability proved powerful. When Wally was just ten years old, he won first prize at the prestigious Kitchener-Waterloo Music Festival - the first of an impressive twenty top prizes he would win in subsequent contests throughout his youth.

By age seventeen, Wally was performing with the Kitchener-Waterloo symphony orchestra. However, it was during this period that his interest shifted toward Western music, setting the stage for his remarkable career as a country fiddler.

The Western Rhythmaires and Early Success

Inspired by the country and western music scene, the teenage Wally organized his own band called the Western Rhythmaires. His growing reputation as a versatile and technically brilliant musician caught the attention of a new television program launching in Hamilton, Ontario.

Main Street Jamboree: The Big Break

In 1953, while still in his teens, Wally was recruited to join Hamilton's new weekly television show, the Main Street Jamboree. The program, which aired on CHCH-TV, was producing outstanding Canadian talent in the country and western field. Wally became part of the core band known as the Mainstreeters, performing alongside talented musicians including Roly D'Eon, Lloyd Bank, Eddy Preston, and Maurice Bolyer. Notable performers who appeared on the show included Jack Kingston and Maurice Bolyer.

After a few guest appearances, Wally was signed as a permanent member. During his first year with the show, he had the opportunity to tour Ontario with Smiley Burnette, the clown prince of western movies and sidekick to Gene Autry.

The Main Street Jamboree quickly became a showcase for the best in Canadian country talent, later launching as a travelling show that brought country music entertainment across Ontario and beyond.

Television Stardom and Versatility

Wally's abilities didn't go unnoticed beyond the Main Street Jamboree. He appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, the most prestigious stage in country music. He also provided background music for many top-flight western recording stars and became a sought-after session musician.

From the Main Street Jamboree, Wally naturally progressed to joining Tommy Hunter on CBC radio. He earned a regular spot on Country Hoedown, the popular CBC Television series that ran from 1956 to 1965. The show was a cornerstone of Canadian country music entertainment during that era, and Wally Traugott (sometimes spelled "Traugot" in the credits) was among the performers frequently seen on the series.

He also guested on The Jackie Rae Show, The Denny Vaughan Show, and many other television programs. Promotional materials from the era noted that "Audiences have marvelled at Wally's ability to switch from Western music to pops, jazz, or classics, depending on their individual tastes" - a testament to his classical training combined with his natural fiddling ability.

Recording Career

During the mid-to-late 1950s, Wally Traugott recorded several singles for two prominent Ontario labels: Quality Records (based in Toronto) and Sparton Records (based in London, Ontario). These recordings showcase his abilities as both a composer and performer. Click on the links to listen to the songs!

Singles on Quality Records (Toronto):

  • "Bonnie Prince Charlie" / "Old Tyme Jubilee" (1957) - 7" single with 2 versions released
  • "Boil Them Cabbage Down" (1957) - 7" single (K543), performed with Buckskin Bandwagon
  • "Snowflake Breakdown" / "Irish Washerwoman" - 7" single (K547). "Snowflake Breakdown" was an original composition by Wally that proved so popular it has been covered by 9 other artists. Two versions exist.
  • "Big 4 Special" / "Waggoner Breakdown" - 7" single (K547)

Singles on Sparton Records (London, Ontario):

These recordings represent Wally's output during his peak years as a performer, when he was appearing regularly on Canadian television and earning recognition as the highest paid violinist in Canada during the 1950s.

Recognition and Legacy as a Fiddler

By the late 1950s, Wally Traugott was considered the finest fiddler ever to come out of Canada. Ed Preston, who played with him for about five years, noted that Wally was classically trained and possessed exceptional technical abilities. His unique combination of classical training, perfect pitch, and natural talent for picking up melodies by ear set him apart from other fiddlers of his generation.

The Move to California

NOTE: These short two paragraphs do not do justice to Wally's career and successes as sound engineer. A book should be written celebrating this part of his life.

Eventually, Wally became disenchanted with the Canadian country music scene and made the decision to relocate to California. He gave up his fiddle to work for Capitol Records in mastering and engineering, beginning a second career that would bring him even greater recognition in the music industry. This part of Wally's career deserves a further in depth examination. 

As a mastering engineer at Capitol Records from the 1970s through his retirement in 1996, Wally worked on albums by The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bob Seger, The Beach Boys, and countless other legendary artists. Vinyl pressings he mastered, identifiable by "Wly" etched in the runout grooves, are highly sought after by collectors today.

Remembering Wally Traugott

Wally Edward Traugott passed away on December 3, 2010, in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 76. He was survived by his wife Lori and their children and grandchildren.

While Wally is perhaps best remembered today for his four decades of exceptional work as a mastering engineer, his early career as a fiddler represents an important chapter in Canadian country music history. From winning competitions as a child prodigy in Kitchener to starring on national television and recording popular fiddle tunes, Wally Traugott's contributions to Canadian country music during the 1950s helped define an era.

His story reminds us that behind many of the technical masters of the recording industry lie fascinating performance careers - and in Wally's case, a legacy as one of the greatest fiddlers Canada has ever produced.

References

  1. "Wally Traugott." Hillbilly-Music.com. Accessed December 2024. http://www.hillbilly-music.com/artists/story/index.php?id=11837
  2. "Wally Traugott Obituary - Tucson, AZ." Dignity Memorial. Accessed December 2024. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/tucson-az/wally-traugott-4462793
  3. "Country Hoedown (TV Series)." IMDb. Accessed December 2024. Information on CBC Television series 1956-1965.
  4. "Wally Traugott Discography." Discogs. Accessed December 2024. https://www.discogs.com/artist/360250-Wally-Traugott
  5. "Meet The Quality Artist: Wally Traugott." Quality Records promotional material, circa 1957.
  6. Quality Records catalogue listings for singles K543, K547 (Toronto, Ontario).
  7. Sparton Records catalogue listings for singles 118R, 129R (London, Ontario).
  8. Main Street Jamboree television program records, CHCH-TV Hamilton, 1953-1960s.
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