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Stu Phillips Stage Outfit

Not currently on exhibit

Artifact TypeSuit

Manufacturer Fay Ward Co.

Date20th Century

Cultural SignificanceAlthough there are a number of musical styles that can be said to correspond with a particular fashion aesthetic, perhaps none is more iconic than that of the Country and Western genres. Throughout the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, numerous stars of the country western scene, such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, looked to niche tailors to produce customized suits that would set them apart and establish a certain stage presence. The suits were often brightly coloured and elaborately adorned with tassels, sequins, imitation jewels and rhinestones, and intricate embroidery. They also typically consisted of a complete ensemble that included corresponding boots and hat. Arguably the most notable of such tailors was the Ukrainian immigrant Nuta Kotlyarenko (1902 – 1984) who became better known as Nudie Cohn of Hollywood, California. Nudie produced some of the most expensive custom garments, catering both to country superstars as well as high-profile performers in other popular genres, including Elton John, the Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley. Other well-known tailors included Rodeo Ben, Turk of Van Nuys, California, Manuel of Nashville, Tennessee, and Rockmount Ranch Wear of Denver, Colorado.Users/PerformersStu Phillips was born 19 January 1933 in St. Eustache, near Montréal, Quebec, but ventured west during his teenage years, settling in Calgary, Alberta. Phillips aspired to succeed in the music industry as a youth and began his career by performing at various social and religious functions, as well as appearing on several radio shows such as “Noon Specials” and “Saturday Night Jamborees”. In addition to appearing on local radio stations such as CJAD, CFCF, and CKVL while in Montréal, Phillips also worked as an announcer on western radio stations, including CFRN in Edmonton, CHED in Calgary, and CJIB in Vernon, British Columbia. In the late 1950s, Phillips transitioned into television, which is the format in which he received his most widespread acclaim. He served as the host of several television shows on the CHCT network in Calgary, before relocating to Winnipeg and taking over CBC’s Red River Jamboree in 1961. His success in television was, however, soon eclipsed by his work in studio recording, which focused on showcasing songs that spoke to the unique story of Canada and its citizens. He composed an impressive 150 works based on Canadian folklore and history, many of which were released on a series of albums with Banff/Rodeo Records of Halifax, Nova Scotia. His first albums were released starting in the late 1950s, including Echoes of the Canadian Foothills (1957), A Visit to Old Quebec (1957), and A Visit to British Columbia (1958), with Orval Prophet’s rendition of Phillips’ song “The Champlain & St. Lawrence Line” becoming a top 20 RPM hit in 1973. Phillips relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in 1965 to produce another series of albums with RCA Victor, including the iconic Singin’ Stu Phillips (1966), Grassroots Country (1967) and Our Last Rendezous (1968). The first album in that series, Singin’ Stu Phillips, produced some of his most recognizable hits, including “Kathy Keep Playing”, “Bracero”, “The Great El Tigre”, and his cover of Ian Tyson’s “Four Strong Winds”. Our Last Rendezvous was equally successful, producing a number of Billboard Country Chart hits, including “Juanita Jones”, “Vin Rose”, “The Note in Box Number 9”, and “The Top of the World”. In 1967, Phillips fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Phillips was eventually dropped by RCA in the 1970s, however he continued to record well into the 1990s, with several of his earlier albums enjoying re-issue success. Phillips was often referred to as “the travelling balladeer”, and, occasionally, “the western gentleman”, and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993.

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