Minto Country Music Wall of Fame

Vernon McNeill grew up within a musical family of 15 brothers and sisters. Attending elementary school at Holy Rosary in Minto, like his other siblings, Vernon was very musically influenced by the church choir and singing in the classroom and at home.

At fourteen Vernon began playing rhythm guitar and within no time at all he began playing base as well. His first performances were at the Duck-Inn and the Casa Loma.

At the age of fifteen, Vernon and his brother David McNeill, along with Peter Seamore and Paul DuJohn got together and formed a band called "Blue Flames". They performed in various areas throughout Minto, Chipman and Fredericton. Following the break up of Blue Flames, Vernon and David grouped together with Eric Richard and Paul DuJohn and formed a group called "The Other Half". They performed local areas, Legions, Arenas, High Schools, and a popular dance hall called "Jimmy Simmons Dance Hall". Following the break up of this band they formed another group with Vernon, David and Eddie Richard and called the group "Mothers Love". This group stayed together and performed throughout the same areas and in the early 70's they changed the name to "Noah's Arc". The three boys moved to Calgary, Alberta where they preformed in various bars throughout the western provinces and became very popular for their great vocal harmonies. Vernon and David wrote many songs together two of which they recorded on a 45 record. The two very popular songs were "Right on Baby" and "Boogie Woogie Woman".

After the break up of Noah's Arc in 1980, Vernon began entertaining by doing a single act in the western provinces. He also played in a trio with his sister Lorraine and his cousin Barry Boudreau.

In the early 1990's Vernon and his family returned to Minto where he once again teamed up with his sister Lorraine and her husband Dale, doing a trio. Over the years, Vernon like the rest of his family, has contributed many hours of time, talent and love to people in need, as well as talent shows.

Once again in the late 1990's Vernon returned to Calgary entertaining as a part time duo with his sister Jocelyn. They would entertain regularly every Sunday for a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital for two years. Vernon’s heart was always set on being back with a group though, so he remained in Calgary where he is still entertaining full time with a country band called "The Dorymates".

Vernon's part time hobby when he's not with the group is spending time teaching guitar lessons to kids of all ages in his home in Calgary and writing his own music, some of which he has given to many other musicians to use as their own.