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Congratulations To The Winners Of The FM 90.5 Peterborough County 2010 Christian Music Talent Contest!

Many thanks to the 18 entrants who put their heart and soul into their entries - your music has a message, and may you continue to share the gifts God has given you!

Winners have been chosen based on vocal excellence, regardless of the presence or absence of accompaniment.

The following winners earn funds for professional production of a CD, and the tracks will be made available to the Christian radio stations across Canada:

1st Place - Vessels Of Honour
(Laverne Boyle, Glenn Switzer, Ian White, Ed Poulain) for their entry So Much God - Winners of $1,500

Listen to Vessels of Honour - So Much God

This group has gone through many changes in the course of a few years.  Ed Poulain and Phil Foster have been singing together in one form or another for over 20 years!
 
They originally called themselves Willing Vessel Trio; then later added a fourth member, and became known as The Willing Vessel Quartet.

With time passing, members of the group where changing; Ed and Phil found themselves once again, looking for new singers.

In 2003 Ed and Phil changed the name of the group to Vessels Of Honour Quartet.  This change came because One of the former members, was using the Willing Vessel name for business purposes. With the addition of a great tenor and a good bass singer, they discovered what they believed was a very good sound. This members
remained together for several years.

About two years ago, Phil felt it necessary to leave group due to health issues.  This was a very difficult decision for Phil to reach as singing gospel had been a part of his life for over 20 years.

Ed found a great baritone to replace Phil, and then added a great bass singer.  The present group consists of Ed Poulain, Ian White, Laverne Boyle, and Glenn Switzer.

The group's recordings include, Right Place Right Time, Grace, Just One More Soul, and Ours For The Asking.

Phil Foster and Ed Poulain have lived in Peterborough for most of their lives.  Phil goes to Kawartha Community Church where he helps with Audio.  He is retired from No Frills and he owns a small promotional company called Victory Promotions.   Ed goes to Calvary Pentecostal church.   He is retired from General Motors where he worked for over 30 years.  He now works full time at FCI Windows and he keeps busy with the group.  Ian White also attends Calvary Church.  He helps in worship there, as well as Cobourg Camp.   Ian works for Christian Horizons.  Ian is from Newfoundland and moved to Peterborough some time around 1990.

All of the group's recordings were done at Haggarty Studios In Peterborough.

Their mission then and now - has always been to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ in music and song.


Top: Left, Laverne Boyle (Baritone), Center, Glenn Switzer (Bass) and Right, Ian White (Tenor)
Bottom:  Ed Poulain (Lead)


2nd Place - NorthLand Ramblers
(Bill MacDonald, Gerry Mitchell, Robert Laing, Gary Meyer and Jason Silk)
for their entry of A Child Again - Winners of $900

Listen to Northland Ramblers - A Child Again


The Northland Ramblers is a group of local southern Ontario musicians who play both traditional and gospel bluegrass music. The band consists of Bill MacDonald from  Peterborough on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Gary Meyer from Scarborough on  mandolin, Gerry Mitchell from Omemee on banjo, Rob Laing from Oshawa on bass and  harmony vocals, and Jason Silk from Toronto on dobro and harmony vocals.

Bill is the  MC for the band and he engages and entertains the audience with his great wit and never  ending supply of amusing anecdotes.   The band has played at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards at the Deerhurst Resort in  Huntsville and has been one of the opening bands at the Winter Concert Series in both  Scarborough and Havelock. As well, they have been featured on Trent Radio station in  Peterborough and have played a number of summer festivals including Orono, Tommfest,  Baldwin, Quinte’s Isle, and River Valley. In addition, they have played at several  community events in such places as Snow Road Station, Marmora, Warsaw, Lindsay,  Douro, Bancroft and Peterborough and at churches in Keene and Springville.

The band is  currently booked to play at the Church on the Hill in Bethany in September and at
St.  James United Church in Peterborough in October.

The band has recently released its first CD, Home Sweet Home, which has been very  well received in the Bluegrass community. Included on this CD is an original song by  Bill MacDonald entitled Highway of
Heroes. The band also recorded this song for the most recent issue of the award winning North to Ontario CD which was recently released. The group is currently working on a new project consisting of a gospel CD which they hope to have completed in the very near future.

The band is currently booking events for the summer of 2011 which may include a tour to
Eastern Canada.

Left to right:  Gerry Mitchell, Jason Silk, Gary Meyer,
Robert Laing, Bill MacDonald


3rd Place - Whitney Paget
for her entry
How Can I Keep From Singing - Winner of $600

Listen to Whitney Paget - How Can I Keep From Singing

See the Youtube.com video of Whitney Paget - O Holy Night - her first radio release paid for out of her winnings from the FM 90.5 Christian Music Talent Contest
Whitney
lived in the city of Peterborough for a few years before moving out to her beautiful home in Peterborough County area. 

She went to a a few different churches while growing up, but finally settled at Auburn Bible Chapel on Armour Road.

Whitney has also been taking vocal lessons with Bill Crane for 7 years in Peterborough, and with his help and recording studio has recorded her entry for this event.

With her FM 90.5 winnings, Whitney recorded her first radio release, played by FM 90.5 throughout Peterborough's first ever December of "All Christmas Music, All The Time", December 2010.

Whitney Paget

Honourable Mention - Dawn Livingstone, John LeVasseur