Living

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Ron "Silver Fox" McMunn
• Name: Ron McMunn
• Name: Silver Fox McMunn
• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183443121
• _FGRAVE: 183443121

Notes:

BY PATRICK UNGSTON

Take in a big-time country music show these days, and it's scripted more tightly than a bale of hay. That approach never suited Ron McMunn, one of the Ottawa Valley's best-loved country performers and a veteran of the once-booming local country scene. "He went on stage and it was off the cuff," says Howard Hayes, a longtime friend of McMunn's and himself a country musician. "Ron was an expert at feeling the crowd. He could look out and tell exactly what the people wanted to hear." Known as the Silver Fox for his mane of silver hair, McMunn sussed out the mood of countless audiences as he worked the local hotel, club and county fair circuit for five decades, starting in the 1950s.

Ron McMunn and the Country Cousins also performed in western Ontario and the northern United States, played as the house band at the legendary Gavan's Hotel in Quyon, and enjoyed radio and jukebox attention with singles like My Old Truck, (Play Me) One More Country Song and their signature tune, Reserve Me A Table. All this, of course, was before the 1990s, when New Country and fickle commercial radio sidelined the homegrown scene. McMunn, who died Tuesday of cancer at the age of 74, learned to play fiddle, guitar and harmonica as a child. Born in 1932 and raised on a farm in AlmonteBlakeney, he built up his repertoire by listening to an old family radio whose homemade antenna atop a pole pulled in country music from far and wide. After a stint as a farmhand and part-time musician in Saskatchewan, he returned home in the 1950s.

"When I got back to the Valley," he told the Citizen several years ago, "I looked for fellows who could sing and play. Pretty soon we were playing every weekend." McMunn's blend of professionalism and easygoing ways attracted topflight musicians says Hayes, adding that his old friend went out of his way to help young musicians get their start. Larry Delaney, publisher of Ottawa-based Country Musk News, has noted that well-known Valley musicians like

the late Ralph Carlson and Ward Allen were alumni of the Country Cousins. During those early days, McMunn also hosted a Saturday afternoon radio show on CJET in Smiths Falls that ran for 13 consecutive years. In 1967, McMunn and his band were invited to join the Ontario leg of the legendary Wilf Carter's Centennial year tour. A few years later, McMunn opened a three-night stint by Nashville's Earl Scruggs Revue at the National Arts Centre. That gig netted McMunn a recording session in Nashville with Josh Graves, the Revue's much-admired dobro player, in the producer's chair.

Over the course of his career, McMunn released albums on various labels including his own Foxland Records and he was in the recording studio as recently as a year and a half ago. He was often joined on stage by his sons Jamie and Jeffrey, who had collaborated on his hit Reserve Me A Table. Inducted into the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame in 1986, McMunn worked day jobs as a transport truck driver and a heavy equipment operator. He was also part owner for several years of the Mississippi Hotel in Carleton Place, a favoured spot among fans of live country music. McMunn's death, says Hayes heavily, "is certainly going to leave a big hole (in country music)." McMunn himself relished the memories.

"I've been very fortunate," he said several years ago. "I had the heyday of country music here." McMunn is survived by his wife, Joan (nee O'Brien), and sons Jamie and Jeffrey. A memorial for Ron McMunn will be held at the Clayton Hall Saturday at 4:30 p.m..

The ottawa Citizen, 19 Jul 2007, Page 50
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?b?Carleton Place?/b? ? When country and western star Ron McMunn first stepped onto the stage in Pakenham at age 11 to give his debut concert, he knew immediately that music would become the soul of his life.

However, the expectations of becoming famous, or ever having his name in lights had not yet penetrated his mind. That would be a choice for his public to make and make it they certainly did.

In October of 1986, at the Ottawa Civic Centre, Ron McMunn was awarded one of the highest honours that a musician in Canada can receive; a plaque and position in the Music Hall of Fame.

Although Mr. McMunn sprouted from a musical background ? mom was a piano teacher and dad played keyboard and guitar ? his formal training in music was scant. There were no outlined lessons on piano or guitar and to this day Mr. McMunn cannot read a note of music.

You may have heard the phrase, having an ear for music, and that is exactly what Mr. McMunn has. Everything he plays by ear.

"All of the credit goes to dad's old Stuart and Warner radio," he said smiling.

"Dad had rigged up a high pole in the yard and we pulled in station from all over, even the U.S. Don Messier Show was a favourite, but learning the songs was no easy task.

There were no tape recorders so the only way to learn the song was to listen to it over and over on the radio. Many frosty evenings were spent in front of the radio at home or in the back seat of the old Ford singing along."

The first big break came about for Mr. McMunn when he ran into Papa Joe Brown and Ken Reynolds. They introduced him to Jack Polly who hired Ron for a spot on CJET Radio.

The first radio show he did was live from the town hall in Carleton Place with the Happy Wanderers. It was during his long stint with CJET he recorded his first single, For You, For You Alone.

Many other singles and albums were to follow, with Reserve Me A Table being his most popular release.

Mr. McMunn said he owed his inspiration to continue on in the music field during the rough times to his old friend Wilf Carter.

I played background for Wilf while touring in Western Canada in 1967," he said, "and it was his realized way of performing that inspired me."

"During this time I had my first taste of country and western music. We were in a bar out west and a tourist from the states requested a country and western song."

"I only knew one song by Carl Smith so I gave it a try."

The audience loved that song and since that day Mr. McMunn has considered country and western music his first love.

Since then Mr. McMunn, more commonly know to his fans as the Silver Fox, has delighted patrons from P.E.I. to western Canada and has even held audiences captive on the stage of the Grand Old Opry.

For young people staring out in the music business today Mr. McMunn has some sound advice. As a performer you must have a feel for your talent, always have future goals, good management and study the field to see what audiences are looking for and seek advice from successful performers in the business.

"Watch other performers carefully and pick out the traits that make them a good entertainer," he explained.

"And most important of all remember that your audience is the boss at the show, not you."

For Mr. McMunn, performing never became a jog, it was something he liked to do and this was a big advantage. However, the strain on his family and social life, always working weekends, was a disadvantage.

"The hardest thing was to keep from becoming an alcoholic." he said. "You are always playing bars and nightclubs and people are always sending free drinks to the band. The type of work I do makes your throat dry and you must learn to control you alcohol intake."

Mr. McMunn said young people today have a much harder time. There are so many good bands and the drug scene has added another dimension to the already existing alcohol problem.

Died:
McMUNN, Ronald "The Silver Fox" Inducted to the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame in 1986 Peacefully at home, with his family by his side, on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 in his 75th year. Loving husband and best friend of Joan (nee O'Brien). Dear father of Jeffrey (Gillian - deceased) and Jamie (Louisa). Proud grandfather of Amy, Jennilee, Darren Graham, Brendan and Darby. Survived by his sisters Beula (Ron Cooke) and Margaret (Rod Palmer) and his aunt Ellen McMunn. Predeceased by his parents Frazer and Alice McMunn. Ron will be especially missed by Dorothy, his nieces, nephews, cousins, fellow entertainers and his many fans. Friends and fans will be received at the 19 McArthur Avenue, Carleton Place (613-257-3113) on Friday, July 20, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. A time to celebrate Ron's life will be held Saturday at the Clayton Hall from 4:30 p.m. (Musicians are invited to bring their instruments). Donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute would be appreciated. The family wish to thank Ron's nurse Dean, Dr. D. Ferguson and Dr. J. Laskey for their care.

Ronald married Dorothy Dawn Harrison in Dec 1959 in Stittsville, Goulbourn Township, Carleton County, Ontario, Canada. Dorothy (daughter of Arthur Harrison and Pearle Edna Mersereau) was born on 28 Mar 1934 in Elgin, Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada; died on 1 Nov 2022 in Arnprior, Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in 2022 in Old Elgin Cemetery, Elgin, Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/245406227
• _FGRAVE: 245406227

Notes:

Died:
?b?Dorothy D. McMunn (Harrison),?/b? aged 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, November 1st, 2022, at The Grove Nursing Home in Arnprior.

From her birth in Elgin, New Brunswick, until her passing, she provided those around her with love, light, and laughter.

Born to Arthur and Pearle (Mersereau) Harrison, Dorothy was one of nine children that grew up enjoying all the wonderful things Elgin had to offer. Upon moving to Ontario and settling in Stittsville, she pursued a career as a secretary, with her most notable position being the secretary to the Chief Commanding Officer at the Diefenbunker in Carp. Alongside her career, she enjoyed listening to live music, gardening, puzzles, family get-togethers (usually involving a passionate game of Scrabble), singing, and playing music?particularly the bass for the Country Cousins.

Dorothy is predeceased by her eldest son Jeffrey and daughter-in-law, Gillian. Dorothy is also preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Clayton and Vernon, her sisters Bernice and Beryl, and her former husband, Ron McMunn.

Interment The Elgin Baptist Cemetery, where Dorothy will be laid to rest

Notes:

Married:
?b?McMUNN - HARRISON?/b?
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Stittsville was the scene of a pretty summer wedding on Mon., 20th at 7 p.m. when Miss Dorothy Dawn Harrison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Harrison of Elgin, N.B., became the bride of Mr. Ronald Fraser McMunn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fraser McMunn of Stittsville. Rev. Peace Montgomery officiated. The organist was Miss Catherine Thompson and the soloist was Miss Barbara Alexander. The ushers were Mr. Ronald Cooke and Mr. James Rath. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an original gown of French lace over silk taffeta and square scalloped neckline. The skirt had a panel of alternating lace and nylon organdy ruffles in the back, graduating to a slight train and a graduated nylon organdy ruffle in front. Her matching lace headdress was appliqu?d with lace flowers. She carried a cascade bouquet of stephanotis and pink roses. The bride's attendant, Miss Leone Alexander chose a gown of deep copen blue silk organza over taffeta with matching headdress. She carried a nosegay of white mums and pink roses. Following the ceremony, buffet luncheon was served at the home of the bride's sister brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ian Colpitts. Later the young couple left on a honeymoon trip to Boston and the Eastern Seaboard. For travelling, the bride wore an ensemble of blue floral design nylon chiffon with scalloped neckline, short puffed sleeves and white accessories. On their return Mr. and Mrs. McMunn will reside in Stittsvil

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183742070
• _FGRAVE: 183742070

Fraser married Alice Catherine Rath on 1 Sep 1926 in Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. Alice (daughter of James R. Rath and Margaret Catherine "Kate" McMunn) was born on 18 Sep 1901 in Clayton Village, Ramsay Township, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada; died on 15 Jan 1989 in Lanark County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in St. George's Anglican Cemetery, Union Hall, Ramsay, Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Catherine Alice Rath
• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183742047
• _FGRAVE: 183742047

Arthur married Pearle Edna Mersereau. Pearle was born on 29 Dec 1901 in Blissfield, Northumberland County, New Brunswick, Canada; died on 8 Mar 1963 in Blissfield, Northumberland County, New Brunswick, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183442883
• _FGRAVE: 183442883

John married Estella M. Huffman. Estella was born in 1878 in Missouri, United States; died in 1951 in Lanark County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in St. George's Anglican Cemetery, Union Hall, Ramsay, Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183442893
• _FGRAVE: 183442893

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: James R. Rath
• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207712697
• _FGRAVE: 207712697
• _FSFTID: K1XJ-YYM
• _FSLINK: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/K1XJ-YYM

James married Margaret Catherine "Kate" McMunn on 11 Jun 1889 in Clayton Village, Ramsay Township, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. Margaret (daughter of William HENRY McMunn and Ann JANE McMunn) was born on 14 Oct 1865 in Ramsay Township, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada; was christened on 25 Feb 1866 in Ramsay Township, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada; died on 3 Oct 1959 in Ramsay Township, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in 1959 in St. George's Anglican Cemetery, Union Hall, Ramsay, Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Kate McMunn
• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207712719
• _FGRAVE: 207712719