"CLICK ON LORNE'S FIDDLE TO HEAR A TUNE "

On October 11, 1999 one of the Ottawa Valley's, and indeed this country's premier fiddler players passed away.
Lorne Wilson died at Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.  He was 75 years old.
While growing up near Carp, Lorne learned to play the mouth organ at an early age and did his first entertaining
at house parties.  By his early twenties, he made his home in Carleton Place, Ontario.  And it was there he began
to master the fiddle.  While most fiddle players of his caliber learned to play at a much younger age, Lorne's late
start didn't effect his progress.  In the years that followed Lorne would become in the words of most fiddlers
"the best" in Old Tyme Music.  He won countless fiddle competitions and played with many fiddlers and musicians
over the years including Bob Ranger, Johnny Mooring, Ward Allen, Reg Hill and his idol, the late Don Messer,
and was known for showing great respect for everyone.

Aside from music, Lorne Wilson had other business interests and was known locally for his involvement with
antiques.  Still, even in that environment, his love of music prevailed.  He would practice all day at his store.
His love of music was passed on to his sons Lloyd and Derek, who are also champion fiddlers.  But it didn't
stop there.  His grandsons and other relatives are carrying on the tradition.  But its the memories of those close
to him and the warm affection that they have which stands out.

It should be noted that Lorne was one of the first, if not the first, to step dance and play the fiddle at the same
time.  So determined to play a piece perfectly, he would slow down a record player until he knew each note.
Then he would proceed to play it perfectly.  His favorite words in music were the "T-I-M-E" has to be right.

Lorne could also call for square dances and played  the mouth organ (Click here), guitar, piano, drums and
many other instruments.  Lorne was known for selflessly donating his time and talent for many good causes.  In
recent years he had been playing bingo, but it was his love of music that seemed to move him the most.  And when
he played for others, with his fingers on the strings and his hand on the bow, one could be sure that all who heard
him play were moved as well.  Lorne was always proud of the late square dance caller from Almonte Charlie Finner
his coach in learning the fiddle.  Lorne always said a tune had to be played right for Charlie to call the square.

Lorne's three Compositions - Smiths Falls Breakdown and  Beverley Dewar's Jig have been released on Spud Diggin' Ground featuring Derek Wilson,  the Lorne Wilson Jig was never recorded.