Minto Country Music Wall of Fame

The Western Partners, a Country and Western Band, was formed around 1966 in Waltham, Mass. The members included Norm Vautour, (lead guitar and vocal) Henry Vautour, (rhythm guitar and lead vocal) Art Richard, (electric bass and vocal) and Zoel Sawyer (drums). They were all born in and attended school in Minto, N.B. The group enjoyed an early success, playing every weekend in clubs, weddings and special functions. They soon decided to go into Wayside Studio and record a 45 RPM. One side was an instrumental written by Norm Vautour, (Finger Picking Polka) and the other side was a song (Just Yesterday) written by the brother of Art Richard, Fred Richard, and sung by Henry “Hawkeye” Vautour.

Around 1968, the Western Partners, added Steel Guitarist, Tommy Cass to the group. With this new addition to the band, the popularity of this band grew within the area, playing at more night clubs, weddings and special functions, including 3 shows in N.B. In 1969, the group decided to disband. Different opportunities were opening up for these young men. Everyone stayed in the music industry playing with local and national bands.

CREDIT TO THESE MUSICIANS AND GROUPS

As the Western Partners group they played at Nashville North, Boston, Topfield Fair, Mass; Lone Star Ranch, N H; Hillbilly Ranch, Boston. They also played with musicians such as Gerry Robichaud, in Massachusetts , and Frank James (featuring Rocky Stone) West Coast Sidemen, also in Massachusetts.

Henry Vautour continued to play in the Boston area and retired in 1972.

Norm Vautour went on to play with the Country Showband, Boston; Cougars in Minto and Country Sounds, also in Minto. He retired in 1984.

Art Richard and Zoel Sawyer went on as Studio Musicians for Wayside Records and Natural Sound Studio. Backing up, playing or recording with, Connie Smith in Nashville, Anthony Armstrong Jones, Nashville; Lee Moore, Wheeling West Virginia; Dick Curle, Maine; Mac Wiseman, Nashville; Gerry Robichaud, Mass; Compton Brothers, Nashville; Martha Hall, Nashville; Buddy Phifer, North Carolina; Roy Drusky, Nashville; Lois Johnson, Nashville; Don Edwards (Texas) and the Western Edition, Bob Riley, Mass; Johnny Penny, Mass; Joe Val, Mass; Larry Glick, W.B.Z. Mass; Spirit Fiddle, N.H; Elton Britt, New York; Rex Trailer, Mass. They also played at the Indian Ranch, Mass; Fryburg Fair, Maine; Fiddler's Grove, Union Grove, North Carolina; Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, Manchester, N.H; Nashville North, Laconia, N.H; Golden Nugget, Las Vegas; Opryland, Nashville. Art retired from playing late 1980’s and Zoel is still active but ready to retire.

Tommy Cass – Retired from playing late 1990’s. He is now doing rebuilding and custom work on pedal steel guitars.