Johnnie (Smilin' Johnnie) Lucky
BiographyJohnnie Lucky was born on his family’s farm near Wroxton, Saskatchewan. He attended Branden School, where his interest in music was noticed. His teacher, Fred Tetoff, invited him to join his dance band. From there, he auditioned for a program on the new CJGX radio station in Yorkton, S.K., and was given the morning show there. The band Smilin’ Johnnie and his Prairie Pals was formed in 1946, first playing dances and then concerts. An adventurous musician, Smilin’ Johnnie was one of the first entertainers to take shows north of the Arctic Circle in 1963. That initial tour brought requests from other communities, until the Smilin’ Johnnie Show had played every community of any size in Northern Canada from west to east.
After marrying Eleanor Dahl in 1975, Smilin’ Johnnie moved back to the family farm in Saskatchewan, but kept touring and hosting Jamborees. Most of Smilin’ Johnnie’s shows were organized and executed by family and Johnnie himself, from transportation to costumes to booking and recording. By the end of Smilin’ Johnnie’s 60 year career, he had released 8 vinyl LP albums, 37 self-produced cassettes, 13 CDs and 4 video-taped performances. The band had also covered over seven million miles playing small towns across Canada. In 1995, the Legend & Legacy Award was presented to Smilin’ Johnnie Shows in recognition of a lifetime of contributions to the country music industry in Saskatchewan. Smilin’ Johnnie passed away in 2010 as he was preparing to tour once again with his grandson. He often closed his 2-hour show with these words: “All we try to do is make you smile, and lift your spirits for a while.”
After marrying Eleanor Dahl in 1975, Smilin’ Johnnie moved back to the family farm in Saskatchewan, but kept touring and hosting Jamborees. Most of Smilin’ Johnnie’s shows were organized and executed by family and Johnnie himself, from transportation to costumes to booking and recording. By the end of Smilin’ Johnnie’s 60 year career, he had released 8 vinyl LP albums, 37 self-produced cassettes, 13 CDs and 4 video-taped performances. The band had also covered over seven million miles playing small towns across Canada. In 1995, the Legend & Legacy Award was presented to Smilin’ Johnnie Shows in recognition of a lifetime of contributions to the country music industry in Saskatchewan. Smilin’ Johnnie passed away in 2010 as he was preparing to tour once again with his grandson. He often closed his 2-hour show with these words: “All we try to do is make you smile, and lift your spirits for a while.”
Canadian Music Icon and Broadcaster | 1936 - 2018
