MINTO COUNTRY MUSIC WALL OF FAME INC.
Bobby Rowan DeCourcey
2009 INDUCTEE
Rowan DeCourcey was born and raised in Minto. He started picking guitar at an early age and because of economic conditions in the late 1940's, he left school to work in the local coal mines. Later he switched to driving truck and then to bell hopping. During these years he became a part- time musician and eventually became a regular on the Earl Mitton Radio Show over CFNB Fredericton and the Art Marr Show on CHSJ Saint John.
In 1956 he won a Gibson guitar in a talent contest and in 1957 moved to Toronto to work day jobs while playing various clubs at nights and on weekends.
Rowan's deep impressive voice attracted the attention of a recording studio entrepreneur resulting in an LP release "Johnny Cash Song Hits sung by Bobby Rowan" and a 2nd album "Songs made Famous By Johnny Cash" a couple of years later. Four of the selections on the 2nd album were written by Rowan.
His 3rd album, "Johnny Cash Hits " was released then followed in 1972 by a 4th called "Rowan Country" One song on this album entitled One More Favor, went to number 1 on Canadian charts. During this time he also composed the music for the Canadian movie "Going Down the Road" which later became a cult classic.
A dry period followed these successes and Bob took day work again. In 1982, he met Mary Morwood, his future wife and singing partner. They soon became a singing duo called "Rowan & Mary" and were billed as a real country class act, playing in clubs all over Southern Ontario and fronting for famous US acts such as Ferlin Husky and Dave Dudley.
Rowan and Mary released a cassette, "The Way We Met", which resulted in a chart hit for the pair. This success led to an appearance on "You Can Be a Star" over the Nashville Television Network. They continued working day jobs and performed on nights and weekends. Music was Rowan's life….he loved it. He never ever thought of giving it up.
His death several years ago came as a shock to his wife and singing partner Mary, and their musical friends, a group that included recording artists Johnny Burke and Ray Penny.
