We just got in from a long walk with the dogs. Tuffy P is reading the Saturday papers and I just turned on the time machine. We’re listening to some fiddle and piano music on a 1980 recording called Old Time House Parties 1912 AD, with Ernie Valentine and Dorius Dyrland.
From the liner notes:
Ernie Valentine comes from the Pennant area of Saskatchewan. He began playing the violin at the age of 12 and has enjoyed playing ever since. While at a young are he played for dances in the Pennant area with Dick Williams on banjo and Bessie Cook at house parties. Later on he was joined playing at house parties by his two sons and two daughters. Over the years Ernie has had the privilege of playing with other local musicians, brothers George and Ed Lamb, Mart Bennington, Bessie Cook, Dick Williams and Dorius Dyrland. Ernie Valentine is 76 year old; he helped to establish the old time fiddlers in Swift Current in 1966. He still plays the violin but says that the fingers don’t work the same as they used to. However he still enjoys playing and remembering those hours of dance parties which were happy times with hospitality at it’s best.
and….
Dorius Dyrland was born and raised in the Kyle district of Saskatchewan. In his younger years he purchased a violin for $15 and began practicing. He later bought a better violin from Ruben Nelson for $50.00. Irvin Tritten on lead violin, Almer Dyrland at banjo, Dorius and brother Selmar playing violin and Dorius’ sister on piano played together in the Kyle Town Hall on New Years Eve and the 17 of May Norwegian Day. They also played at school house dances in the country on Friday nights, and dances at White Bear Hall. Dorius plays the piano and for four years chorded for Bill Williams. At 68 years he still enjoys playing and remembering the old time house parties.
27th Street 