| Over the years John Lester has had some unique opportunities to be involved in the music business, but it hasn’t always been as a performer. During his years of involvement with the Lindsay Central Exhibition and more recently with The Academy Theatre Foundation he has been instrumental in bringing to Lindsay a long lineup of both Canadian and American country performers. For several years he was co-producer and MC of the Showcase of Entertainment for the annual conference of Ontario Fairs and Exhibitions, a show that featured many legendary performers. During the 1980’s his involvement at CKLY Radio in Lindsay gave him the opportunity to DJ his own weekly show entitled “Country Favorites”. For many years he served as MC for several Fiddle and Step Dance competitions, including Bobcaygeon, Perth, Fergus, and The Royal Winter Fair.
Currently as a management representative of Rocklands Talent & Management he has traveled literally from coast to coast with such performers as Kitty Wells & Johnny Wright, Tommy Hunter, The Carlton Showband, George Hamilton IV, Rita MacNeil, Roy Clark, Charley Pride, Frank Mills, Jean Shepard, Bill Anderson, and even The Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show. He has also procured and hosted shows for many Fairs across Canada with acts such as The Kendalls, Billy Walker, Johnny Burke, John Conlee, Connie Smith, The Family Brown, Jeannie Pruett, Johnny Russell, Little Jimmy Dickens, Ronnie Prophet, Lucille Starr and Hank Snow to name a few.
In 1977 he helped form the Lindsay based Country group “The Misty River Ramblers”, a group that for over a decade would play countless Country Dances throughout Ontario.
To say that John Lester has always had a love for true traditional country music would be an understatement. This is certainly evident in the music that he chooses to play and perform today.
When asked about a possible highlight on stage Lester is quick to mention two events. “I guess opening for The Kitty Wells Family Show and Jean Shepard with The Misty River Ramblers many years ago would be a highlight, and then more recently performing the recitation in “The Dear John Letter” with Grand Ole Opry Star Jean Shepard at five different shows in Western Canada would be the second” he says.
“I enjoy some wonderful opportunities thanks to Rocklands Talent to travel and work along side some of the world’s greatest Country Music people. There’s no greater feeling than being able to introduce a legend like Kitty Wells or Tommy Hunter on stage, and feel first hand the reaction of the people”.
When the Classic Country Music Reunion began in Lindsay in 1992 Lester was manager of the Fair grounds and worked hand in hand with those who pioneered this event, which later moved to Trenton.
Lester is quick to point out how CCMR has allowed him to come in contact with a whole new group of Country Music friends. In 2004 Gary Hooper asked him to sing harmony on his show, and Mary Rowan made the same request in 2005.
“I was honoured to be included as part of the CCMR main stage roster of performers in 2005, as well as to be a part of the gospel show on a number of occasions recently. It’s also been fun to play on the Watering Corral stage with such a great group of people. The CCMR weekend is the best,” he says. “Even before I was a member of the Board, Lorne and Gary and so many others have made me feel so welcome. I hope others feel that way too”.
Lester is modest to admit that his first CD project entitled “Country Memories” was released in July 2005.
In October of 2007, John Lester not only was M.C. at the Mary Rowan CD release party of her latest project, (at the Arts & Culture Centre in Meaford, Ontario) but also had been in the studio with her and enjoyed doing back up harmonies for this very special CD.
He sang some of his own songs at this concert as well as doing harmonies with Mary for this very prestigious occasion. This was a new adventure for John and he certainly enjoyed the opportunity to work with Mary and the musicians at Mel’s Own Sound, with producer Mel Aucoin.
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