At 86 years old, Michael T. Wall, the Singing Newfoundlander, isn't ready to retire
A deep dive into the history and legacy of Michael T. Wall
When colourful packages started showing up on the desk of CBC videographer Curtis Hicks, they led to an adventure exploring the history and legacy of the "Singing Newfoundlander" Michael T. Wall.
Every so often, Hicks would receive a sticker-filled, colourful package with music, newspaper clippings and potential stories. Hicks wanted to learn more and went to record shops, spoke with family and friends, before finding Wall himself.
"Oh, I send them out everywhere, all over the world like that. I have Canadian flags on there, I had caribou on there. I got all kinds of different stickers and the most colourful packages," Wall said. "One of these days I'll have everybody in the backyard of Newfoundland."
Wall was born in Corner Brook, N.L. in 1938. He started singing in Christmas concerts at Little Shamrock School in Stephenville and hasn't stopped since. He said bought his first guitar while working at a fish plant and berry picking.
"I was determined to get my guitar," he said.
In 1957, Wall heard Hank Snow. Snow was called "The Singing Ranger."
Wall said he decided then and there he would be called "The Singing Newfoundlander" from that day on, and it stuck.
He left for Ontario in 1961 with a rhinestone jacket showing the island of Newfoundland, and a dream. Since then, he has played in Poland, Australia, Japan and multiple other countries.
Today he sends his colourful packages around the world, and makes sure some head back to his home province. Memorial University's archive holds many of his records, news clippings and more from the Singing Newfoundlander.
"He's fantastic," said MUN archivist Nicole Penney. "Through his whole performing life and career, he has promoted Newfoundland, so it's a big part of his stage presence."
The archives are publicly available with sound recordings, photographs and even Wall's first guitar on display, Penney said, explaining the importance of preserving these memories, items and music.
"It gives you insight into a community and a people. You know, it connects us still today," Penney said. "And it also gives us insight into our history and who we are and where we came from and where we're going."
Chris Andrews, known by most as being the lead singer of Shanneyganock, says he first met Wall in the 1990s in Toronto.
"To be honest with you, I regret the way I first met him because I didn't realize at the time how much of a contribution he had made to Newfoundland music and exactly who he was," Andrews said. "I don't think I quite realized who I was speaking to and the great things that he had done."
Andrews says Wall has promoted Newfoundland around the world for more than 60 years, and has significantly contributed to Newfoundland's culture and music.
"People know who he is here in Newfoundland, but more people should know who he is," Andrews said.
Now living in Pickering, Ont., Wall says he's not quite ready to retire yet, even after being around the world, having won countless awards and getting a letter from Buckingham Palace.
"I just had celebrated my birthday. I turned 86 and I'm still not ready for the rocking chair," he said. "I don't need no rocking chair."
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With files from Curtis Hicks