DON E SCOTT
Don E. Scott grew up in British Columbia and began playing music at the age of six, debuting on the harmonica. He moved on to Spanish guitar and later Hawaiian guitar, and majored in percussion in high school.
He began performing in public at the age of nine, appearing in variety shows, talent contests, school functions, and private events. In junior high school he began playing as a drummer in the school band, the school dance band, and a teen-pop band, The Barrettones.
Later, as a member of the winning band in a radio station sponsored Battle Of The Bands, he won the opportunity to do a recording session, which was one of the prizes, but before he could do so, the record company ran into trouble. The recording session was transferred to the Norman Petty studios in Clovis, New Mexico. No one expected that anyone would take that opportunity, but Don, then a 15 year old teenager, took a bus to Spokane, Washington, and then hitchhiked to Clovis. In Clovis he jammed with Charles Hardin Holley, who later became famous as Buddy Holly.
It was in Clovis where John Dolphin spotted him when he was looking for a drummer to fill in for a short tour with one of the acts he was booking. That led to California and a stint with Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps. The recording sessions switched to the Sommerset Studios and a relationship with Herb Newman of Era Records. Don had cut his first recordings as an instrumentalist and later a vocalist with Garner Records, starting in 1953. The move to Era Records in 1956 however was a big step, and using a studio name, Don had some regional hits on the West Coast, where he worked with some of the leading country and rockabilly performers in California. Many went on to Hall of Fame status.
In 1957 Don moved briefly to Cash Records, but was becoming disillusioned with the music scene, compounded by his own youth, lack of maturity and experience, and other conflicting opportunities. He finally decided to stay in Canada and pursue the other alternatives, recording for the Eadon Label. He went on to be a successful disk jockey at CHED, a newspaper editor, and eventually a very successful businessman.
Music was never out of Dons life. He continued to play and sing wherever he could, and to write songs, both lyrics and music. Today he still enjoys playing small and intimate venues, and plays special events, parties, conventions, folk clubs, small theatres and similar small events. He makes a special effort to play for hospitals, extended care facilities, and seniors residences. He says these are the most gratifying because the folks really appreciate the music. Don still continues to write songs and says the biggest kick now is to write songs that tell actual stories, concisely and correctly. His satisfaction comes from finishing another one, and he writes 20 to 30 songs a year.
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Concert photos by Drew BorgwardtI
