Kevin Blackmore

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Kevin Blackmore

| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|size=100%|CM}}

| landscape =

| background = solo_singer

| alias = Buddy Wasisname

| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1955}}

| birth_place = Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

| genre = Folk music, Country music, Comedy music

| occupation = singer, songwriter, comedian

| years_active = 1979–present

| associated_acts = Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers, Free Beer

| website = {{URL|https://buddywasisname.com/}}

| module =

| module2 =

| module3 =

}}

Kevin Luke Blackmore, {{post-nominals|country=CAN|CM}}{{cite web | url=https://www.gg.ca/en/order-canada-appointees-december-2022 | title=Order of Canada appointees – December 2022 | website=The Governor General of Canada | date=29 December 2022 | access-date=29 December 2022 }} who performs under the stage name Buddy Wasisname, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, comedian, and dramatist from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Blackmore is best known as leader of the band Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers, who perform mainly Newfoundland music and comedy.

Early life

Blackmore grew up in Gander, Newfoundland.[http://theindependent.ca/2013/03/18/thirty-years-of-foolishness-and-tears-buddy-wasisname-and-the-other-fellers-still-kickin/ "Thirty years of foolishness and tears: Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers “still kickin'”"]. The Independent, March 18, 2013 He studied piano and classical guitar, and after graduating from high school he attended trade school.[http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2016/08/21/buddy-wasisname--the-other-fellers-part-of-barrie-comedy-festival "Buddy Wasisname & The Other Fellers part of Barrie comedy festival"]. Barrie Examiner, By Susan Doolan, August 21, 2016

Career

As a young man, Blackmore worked as an auto mechanic and heavy machinery operator, and later a piano tuner. He started his musical career in 1979 as a part of the comedic musical duo, Free Beer, together with Montreal native Lorne Elliott.{{cite magazine|author=Larry LeBlanc|title=Newfoundland Folk Group Brings Fans Home|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA46|date=30 July 1994|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=46–|issn=0006-2510}}[http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/entertainment/174953481.html "Like Brian, Lorne Elliott looks at the bright side of life"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215202601/http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/entertainment/174953481.html |date=2017-02-15 }}. Vernon Morning Star, Kristin Froneman, Oct 19, 2012[http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/entertainment/255524211.html "Lorne Elliot hits Harrison Hot Springs"]. Chilliwack Times, Apr 16, 2014

Blackmore and Elliott went their separate ways in 1982, and Blackmore settled in Glovertown. In 1983 Blackmore, together with Wayne Chaulk and Ray Johnson, formed the band Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers, singing and playing mandolin, fiddle and guitar. The group played mainly Newfoundland-related music and performed comedy sketches.{{cite book|title=Canadian Geographic|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_uVAAQAAIAAJ|year=2000|publisher=Royal Canadian Geographical Society|pages=47–48}}

Blackmore, as Buddy Wasisname, performed with the Other Fellers for 35 years,[http://theindependent.ca/2011/04/27/video-the-most-interesting-people-in-newfoundland-kevin-blackmore/ "VIDEO: The most interesting people in Newfoundland | Kevin Blackmore"]. The Independent, Martin Connelly | April 27, 2011 contributing to many concert tours and to 19 albums of recorded music and comedy.

When not touring or recording, Blackmore continues to live in Glovertown, and participates in community events and fundraisers.[http://www.ganderbeacon.ca/sports/2011/3/2/funspiels-own-buddy-2293446.html "Funspiel’s own ‘Buddy’"]. Gander Beacon, Matt Molloy March 2, 2011[http://www.ganderbeacon.ca/living/2010/9/29/glovertown-art-studio-gets-grand-opening-1805515.html "Glovertown art studio gets grand opening"]. Gander Beacon, September 29, 2010 He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2022.

References

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