Picnics -- Prince Edward Island -- Kings County -- St. Charles

Abstract NA4377 Alphonse Whitty, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives at Whitty's home in Farmington, P.E.I. on April 1, 1968. Whitty, Larry Doyle's grandnephew, sings the opening stanzas of "The Picnic at Groshaut" and “Merchants of the Bay.” Brief discussion about some of the men mentioned in "Merchants of the Bay." Discussion about the song "The Bay Bridge" and Whitty speaks what he recalls of the lyrics. Questions about "When Johnny Went Plowing for Kieran" about one of Larry Doyle's nephews....

Abstract NA4397 Arthur Cahill, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives at Groshaut, (St. Charles) P.E.I., July 18, 1970. Discusses Lawrence Doyle, his family, and songs, old days at Groshaut, background of Doyle’s songs; information on Hugh Lauchlan MacDonald and his songs; other songmakers discussed; discussion of the picnic at Groshaut, working in saloons, dance styles. Recording: mf167_1.1_ives070.03_cd135_01 - mf167_1.1_ives070.03_cd135_31. Time: 00:57:44Ives' notes on the interview...

Abstract NA4390 Sandy Ives' spoken notes and observations following a brief interview with Chester Pratt in St. Peter's, P.E.I. on April 3, 1969. Age 80, son of Charles E. "Peddler" Pratt (aka "Catch Eggs Pratt"), about whom Lawrence Doyle made up a song. Did not know Doyle well, but his father did not think well of Doyle. Description of a "tea party" fundraiser like the "Picnic at Groshaut." Tells about his father's wagons, which he used in peddling. Tom Lewis a better poet than Doyle. Recording:...

Abstract NA4384 Herbert MacLeod, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives, April 4, 1968, at the Senior Citizens Home, Montague, P.E.I. Also present in the room, Mrs. MacLeod, Bobby Ives. MacLeod, age 79, sings "The Picnic at Groshaut" from a typed copy. His voice is a strong tenor ending lines of the song with a vibrato. Sings "Out Behind the Barn," a popular song. Sings “Galway Bay.” Speaks about the farm where he was born and lived, that it was where the "Bear at Grand River" crossed the river and...

Abstract NA4385 John J. "Jack" MacIssac, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives on April 5, 1968, at the home of a family member. Mr. MacIssac, age 87, is blind and diabetic and complains of having short wind. Gives general information about Larry Doyle. Lived in St. Charles, near Larry Doyle. Sings one stanza of "Bay Bridge" by Larry Doyle. Sings "Picnic at Groshaut." Sings one stanza of "Bear at Grand River." Conversation follows on Doyle. Description of a "concert." How Doyle used to auction....

Abstract NA4378 Leo Gorman, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives at his home in Groshaut (St. Charles), P.E.I. on April 1, 1968. In the room for the session are Leo Gorman, age 70, his wife, his daughter Susan, his bachelor brothers John D. and Ambrose, Arthur Cahill, Alphonse Whitty, and Bobby Ives. Ives' notes on this recording: For this first selection, I made a bad blunder by accidentally recording over the first of a session at Gorman's. What follows here came after we had a tea and after we'd...

Abstract NA4375 Roderick Hanley, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives in Hanley's Charlottetown, P.E.I., home, March 31, 1968. Also present is Hanley's wife, Mary Hanley, Bobby Ives, and a child. Hanley sings the first two stanzas of "The Picnic at Groshaut." Discusses when and where singing was done as entertainment. Discussed Larry Doyle as a "well-liked" fellow. Tells the story behind one of Larry Doyle's rhymes: Charlie Pratt, from his wagon high, to Tom McMahon made this reply; Go and bring...

Abstract NA4381 Wilfred Larkin, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives, April 2, 1962, at the Larkin apartment in the senior citizens' home, St. Peter's Bay, P.E.I. Also present in the room, Mrs. Larkin and Bobby Ives. Over 90-years-old and quite hearing impaired at the time of the recording, Larkin remembers Larry Doyle and bits of his songs. He sings "The Picnic at Groshaut." Not complete. “Bear at Grand River.” Does not know it all, he says. Conversation follows about Tom Lewis, boot and shoemaker,...

Abstract NA4388 William Banks, interviewed by Edward D. "Sandy" Ives on April 1, 1969, at his home in Annadale, P.E.I. Also in the room are Bobby Ives, Banks' wife, his son Geordie (about 8-years-old) and his daughter, about 10-years-old with cognitive delays. Sandy Ives' notes on the recording follow: Banks had spent a lot of time collecting these old songs and writing them down as he heard them. Then he recorded himself on his own tape recorder. He wanted me to dub off from these tapes rather than...