Minto Country Music Wall of Fame

Jocelyn, the youngest of a well-known musical family consisting of eight brothers and seven sisters. She began singing at the age of 8 and performed annually on a television show called "Time For Juniors". By the age of 11 she was playing Country Jamborees with her brothers and at age 14 was a regular singing at "Buddy Smith's Hall" in Minto. Jocelyn even played her own High School Graduation Dance in 1975 with her brother's Country and Rock Band called "Noah's Arc".

After being married and having a daughter Jolene, Jocelyn knew she needed to be in the music business and entered a local talent contest winning a trip for two to Nashville. There she performed for Ray Griff and D.J. Fontana (Elvis Presleys drummer). She was more determined than ever to have music in her life. Jocelyn, along with friend Wanda Grant recorded a 45 record of a song written by Jocelyn called "I'll Never Be Lonely No More". She has written many country and gospel songs over the years.

She has shared her musical talent with others over the years by directing the Church Choir of Children, taking them by bus to other talent shows and giving guitar lessons to anyone wanting to learn. She is well known for her contributions to fund raising events, talent shows, and entertaining for Seniors including organizing entertainment within Nursing Homes in Minto.

Jocelyn entered and won the "Maritime Open Country Singing Contest" which gave her the title "Queen of Country Music" and with the recognition of this contest and a "wonderful gentleman" Ross Ingram from CBC News, she earned herself a guest appearance on "The Tommy Hunter Show" and a guest appearance at the "Nashville Palace" where she received a standing ovation. She also got a personal interview by the Opry President where he gave her an opportunity to perform her own Country Gospel Song "Can You Hear Me Lord". Thanks to the influence of Dorothy Vautour, who conducted the contest, Jocelyn was asked to perform one full week at the Grand Ole Opry Gospel Hour. She also performed on "Nashville Now - The Ralph Emery Show" with Tanya Tucker and Porter Wagner.

Jocelyn worked for a time as a Teacher's Assistant in Minto and was delighted to work with special needs children who would be rewarded weekly with guitar lessons, singing lessons, or songwriting with Jocelyn. This turned into a CD recorded at David McNeill’s Studio with a cover picture of the children with Jocelyn. All money raised from the sale was funneled back into the school for more projects to continue special events for other children.

Jocelyn lived for a time in Calgary where she performed regularly with her daughter Jolene but moved home in December 2002 where she spent last Christmas with her beloved late Mother Cecilia. Jocelyn has a dream of recording a Gospel CD in her mother’s memory.

Today she lives in Minto and has a “Woman’s Country/Gospel Night” at her home Wednesday evenings and has another cross Canada tour planned.