Minto Country Music Wall of Fame

Clarence McNeill was born on September 24, 1940. He was the first son of Harry and Cecelia McNeill.

At the age of nine, Clarence would go to his grandmother's house on Saturdays to have cookies and take guitar lessons from his cousin George Powers where he learned the song Wildwood Flower. His love for music just grew from there. While still a teenager, Clarence built his first electric guitar, and the guitar is still being played in Ontario.

In the 1970's while living in Alberta, Clarence played in the Ross Pabiskie Band and the Roy Butts Band and also formed his own band with Ben Clemens, Gene Bruden, Carl Hawkins and Charlie McGee.

Returning to Minto, and the McNeill's being talented as they are, there was no shortage of entertainment. He played the mandolin for his sister Lorraine McNeill-Krall and her husband Dale's CD for the song "North of the Beautiful Treeline", and has many times entertained with his sister Jocelyn Hargrove, his brother David McNeill, and his late brother Vernon McNeill. Nearly everyone who plays music in the area has played with Clarence at one time or another including Oscar Egers, Merton Bailey, Fred Fulton and Mac Brogan.

Besides playing the mandolin, guitar, accordion, fiddle, banjo and organ, Clarence is very well known for composing a song on the spur of the moment. Within five minutes of speaking with you, he can turn it into a song about you that usually has you and everyone else in a fit of laughter.

Coming from a huge family consisting of 7 brothers and 8 sisters they are very close and very, very musical to say the least. They love to get together and have jam sessions whenever possible.

Clarence's son Russell, better known as Rusty, and daughters Lynn and Wendy are all musical as well. Rusty resides in Chipman, and plays the guitar, the mandolin and DJ's at many functions. His daughter Lynn plays guitar and sings, while his youngest daughter Wendy, who lives in Europe, has made a career with her music and has entertained all over Canada, the United States and Europe. To date she has 5 CD's.

Clarence's love for music is very apparent and very important in his life and he will no doubt keep playing music for his enjoyment and ours for many years to come.