Minto Country Music Wall of Fame

Ruth is the daughter of Frank and Marjorie Morell. She was seven years old when she started to sing at church and school functions. Ruth laughs and says, “no fancy sound system there, I soon learned that if I wanted to be heard I had to sing loud.”

Ruth went on to perform at many other functions in the community, and frequently appeared on the Capital Co-Op Jamboree hosted by Bud Brown, and broadcast live on CFNB radio every Saturday night for many years.

In 1963 Ruth married Spurgeon Drost and though she was busy at being wife and mother of 1 son and 2 daughters, she still very willingly gave her time and talent for Jamborees, Tele-thons, and often would organize benefits for the sick and injured. She would often be approached to write a song for special events, as she did when she wrote Skidder Sid for the Village of Chipman Fall Fair.

Ruth lost her husband Spurgeon at a young age, and later in life she married Eldon Barton. To date, they are very active in their musical talents, playing at Blue Grass Festivals and other Community events throughout the Maritimes. In 2000, Ruth and Eldon recorded a CD entitled “Life’s A Pleasure” which has brought them much success.

In August 2004, Ruth was presented the Walter Tompkins Memorial Trophy for the most deserving singer/musician at the Woodstock Old Home Week Country Show.

Ruth now joins husband Eldon as a member of the Minto Country Music “Wall of Fame”.