Johnny Mooring

Inducted in 2019

Johnny Mooring, born in Springhill, Nova Scotia, in 1927, was an accomplished musician, full time entertainer and a vocalist who toured throughout Canada and the United States with such well known artists as Don Messer, Tommy Hunter, the Rhythm Pals, Ronnie Hawkins, and Eddy Arnold.  He also toured Scotland, England, Ireland and France.

Johnny could play numerous instruments but is best known as a writer and composer of fiddle tunes such as “Four Strings and I”, “Autumn Waltz”, “Pembroke Reel”, Johnny Mooring’s Hornpipe”, “Fiddling Red’s Jig” and “Roadrunners Two-Step” - but this names only a few.  His fiddle tunes have been recorded by many other artists including such well knowns as Bobby Lalonde, Germaine Leduc, Scott Woods, Don Messer, Tony Burtnik and Russell Chapman.

Johnny received many notable awards and trophies for his musical talents.  He was the first to win the North American Fiddle Championship three years in a row - in 1964, 1965 and 1966.  He performed at the Canada Centennial Celebrations on Parliament Hill and twice for Queen Elizabeth II - once in Canada in 1967 and again the next year  (1968) in the United Kingdom.  He also played for the Lt. Governor of Ontario, and he was inducted into the New York State Old Time Fiddlers Association Hall of Fame in 1978.

Johnny was honoured with a trophy being awarded in his name and presented to the youngest player receiving the highest points at the Ontario Open Fiddle Contest.  He is also listed on the Honour Roll of Great Canadian Fiddlers.

Throughout his career, Johnny also played on several radio stations and appeared on such television shows such as Don Messer’s Jubilee and The Tommy Hunter Show.

Johnny died March 28, 1974