Welcome, Ivan Daines!
My old pal Duane Steele and I recently had the privilege
to induct our older (and more distinguished) friend, Ivan Daines, into the ACMA Hall of Fame. Here’s an excerpt from our introduction to the Alberta Cowboy Legend:
In 1966, the boy who once rode his horse to school in Innisfail attended schools in Wyoming and San Luis Obispo’s Cal Poly. Historians are unsure whether Ivan received his business diploma then, but confirmed that he grabbed an intercollegiate Saddle Bronc title! In 1970, Ivan was in his prime as a pro, winning the average at the NFR in Oklahoma City. He stuffed his Wranglers with gas money and the BIG beautiful belt buckle he wears to this day!
According to Spirit of the West’s Hugh McLennan, Ivan, a licensed pilot, probably started flying to rodeos because no one would carpool with him. Ivan loved to take in the scenery while multi-tasking with his original Blackberry, a huge binder of contacts, and could often be seen happily swerving down the road to the next performance. Ivan and World Champion, Chris LeDoux, were thick as thieves, playing guitar, singing, and selling their cassettes off the back of a half-ton tailgate.
For nearly a half-century, the Ivan Daines Friends & Heroes Pick-Nic has showcased country music talent from yesterday, today and tomorrow, and featured such legends as Tommy Hunter, Hank Snow, Ian Tyson and Pam Tillis. The annual event was a launching pad for aspiring singers like Gord Bamford, Brett Kissel, Michelle Wright, Patricia Conroy, a 12-year-old Terri Clark and her eventual Mercury/Polygram label-mate, Duane Steele. Duane recalls settling up after a performance and the shock when Ivan pulled off his boot to yank out a wrinkled cheque! Duane and I joke that it’s the first-ever mobile banking transaction!
Ivan Daines, welcome to the Builder Category of the Association of Country Music in Alberta!
— Greg Shannon, 840 CFCW Morning Show Co-Host