Hi there,
Saturday, July 15th, Reg had a very humbling experience as he was inducted into the Pathway of Fame in Peterborough, Ontario.
This is what they had to say about him:
Reg Benoit
There is a story familiar to Canadians, that of the young leaving Newfoundland to seek a better life in Ontario and beyond. Some abandon their roots. The special ones fight to keep the essence of their small, tight-knit birth places in their souls. Reg Benoit came to Ontario to build a future in music, but he never forgot the itrinsic value of individual human beings that he learned in Stephenville.
Typical of so many musicians, Reg created a steady if unspectacular career. He did well enough to garner acclaim, although not enough to quit his day job. Then in 1998, Reg's world came to an abrupt halt. A serious spinal cord injury sustained at that day job forced him to pursue music full time and to fine tune his passion for life and people. The unexpected tragedy became a new direction in the service of others through music and a deeper understanding of how life works out. He has performed tirelessly to entertain seniors, the sick and in aid of an impressive list of fundraising projects large and small, public and personal. His music has benefited the St. John's Children's Hospital and Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. he has devoted time and energy to native groups and when Canada's last surviving Father of Confederation, Joey Smallwood, ran into financial difficulties writing his history of Newfoundland, Reg was there to help. Along the way, Reg became a pastor in order to touch people in the darker corners where even music cannot reach. Reg Benoit is a symbol of those for whom music is not a road to riches, but a challenging path to the hearts of people.
Reg was lost for words when given the opportunity to give a one minute thank you speech. It was terribly emotional for him.
We are proud of him.
Violet
New Names for Pathway of Fame
The Examiner (c) content Copyright
Local News - Monday, May 29, 2006 @ 09:00
The 2006 inductees for the Pathway of Fame have been announced.
Pathway chairman Sean Eyre made the announcement during the Good 'n Country Music Jamboree at the Trentwinds International Centre yesterday.
"We are so proud of the nominees selected this year," Eyre said.
"They uphold a nine-year tradition of honouring excellence in our community."
The 17 inductees were selected by a panel who reviewed more than 70 nominations.
Inductees fall into one of seven categories including visual arts, literary, journalism, drama, community betterment, Samaritan and musical entertainment.
"We acknowledge people from all walks of life who have made a significant contribution to the area," said Barb Bell, first vice-president of the pathway committee.
Reg Benoit was one of the inductees who was on hand for the announcement. He was at the centre performing country music for the crowd.
"I'm overwhelmed, I don't know what to say, I didn't know I was in the running," Benoit said.
The singer has lived in the area for 35 years.
Benoit has a reputation for singing both the male and female parts in his songs, a talent he says he uncovered the night his singing partner didn't show up for a concert.
"I got on stage and started singing the female part in a female voice and the rest of my band almost fell over."
The Pathway of Fame inductees for 2006 are:
- Visual Arts: Richard Hayman
- Literary: Munroe Scott, Bernice Harris
- Journalist: Charles Gledden Burnham "Nick" Nickels
- Drama: Rob Winslow, Richard Alan Nunn
- Community Betterment: Del Haddlesey, Jack Blakely, Paul Lafond
- Samaritan: Dr. John (Jack) Orval Parker, Joseph (Joe) Whetung, Dr. W.E. Rayes
- Musical Entertainment: Bud Monahan, Syd and Pamela Birrell, Norm Post, Reg Benoit
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