Fred Usher

Born in Shaunavon Saskatchewan, 1918 (October 14), died at 71 in Victoria in 1988. Started playing the Ukulele when 11 – “Harold Teen” uke inscribed with “music self-played is happiness self made” 1934 – 38 in the “Freshmen” quartet in Regina, appeared on Radio Station CHWC Met Bob McGill in 1936, they came out on Fred Harley Davidson to Victoria to join the Army Engineers. Became the “Singing Sappers”, then the “Singing Lance Corporals”, etc. Joined CJVI at the end of the War, on air with two piano players (1 piano, 20 fingers) - Len Acres and Al Smith. Formed the Hometowners with Bob, Ernie Fullerton, Geoff Venables (Violin), Bill Botten (Bass – originally Jim McKay) Al Smith was on the piano. One of the last surviving members of the Hometowners –Bill Botten died just this past summer on July 22 leaving Geoffrey Veables as the only surving original member (February 2011). They perform live stage shows at the Dominion Theatre and on air. Many concerts at the Cameron Band Shell in Beacon Hill Park, at Willows Beach, Victoria Day parades,etc. They did the first dance in the old arena – October 1949 – a “moccasin Dan... more...