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Presents THE '70s DECADE: SCRAPBOOK I A Collection of Clippings & Mementos from '76-'80 |
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BILL & SUE-ON HILLMAN
THE WESTERN UNION with Kevin Pahl LOCAL APPEARANCES Strathclair Mixed Bonspiel Dance ~ Feb. 25, 1973 Annual Pig & Wiggle ~ June 1975 and 1976? Strathclair Local Mixed Bonspiel ~ Feb. 21 Strathclair Hotel Strathclair Collegiate Grad Dances Strathclair Municipal Hall Street Dances Bend Theatre Shows Newdale Hall and Arena [New Years at Tyndall Motor Hotel 1976] [Shilo Winter Carnival 1976] |
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BMI: THE MUSIC SCENE ~ 1976
BILL and wife SUE-ON HILLMAN are high school teachers in Strathclair, Manitoba, but they're heavily into music when not teaching. As well as performing as a duo, they are members of the Western Union and Free Spirit. Others in the Free Spirit are AL JONES, KEN BLAIR, IAN HUNTER and TERRY FLEETWOOD. Bill wrote all the material on the Maple Grove album "Bill & Sue-On Hillman". Free Spirit's initial album for Maple Grove Records is titled simply "Free Spirit" and contains all-original material by the group. The tune "You Must Remember" from the album, written by Al Jones has been released by Maple Grove as a single. Last summer Bill and Sue-On toured parts of the United
States and northern Manitoba and last fall Bill began developing a course
for the Manitoba Department of Education called Entertainment Arts. Included
was an examination of the various areas of the entertainment industry.
BRANDON UNIVERSITY ALUMNI NEWS ~ Fall 1976 Congratulations to two of our Brandon grads, Bill and Sue-On Hillman. They are not only high school teachers in Strathclair but are very heavily into music. The latest album they put out by Maple Grove is doing very well and Bill has written all of the songs on the album. BMI: THE MUSIC SCENE ~ Music In Canada: March-April 1977 Calgary songwriter Ron Mahonin was a semi-finalist in the Top-40 category of the 1976 American Song Festival. He was awarded $250 for "A Hit Song". Toronto songwriter TIM DANIELS received honourable mention and cash prizes of $100 each for two of his tunes. Three writers from the Ottawa area received honourable mention as well: MICHAEL BELANGER, TERRY CARISSE and BRUCE RAWLINS. Similar honours also went to S.B. "WHITEY" HAINS of Toronto and BILL HILLMAN of Strathclair, Manitoba. |
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THE AMERICAN SONG FESTIVAL
An International Songwriting Competition December 22, 1976 Mr. Bill Hillman Box 280 ~ Strathclair, Man., Canada R0J 2C0 Songtitle: Cajun Stomp Dear Bill: CONGRATULATIONS! Your fine entry into the 1976 American Song Festival impressed the judges enough that they have made you an Honorable Mention Prize Winner. Along with your Honorable Mention check, we have enclosed the 1976 Winners List. You should be very proud of this accomplishment and we hope that your winning will encourage you toward future growth as a songwriter. You should also be aware that your name will be printed in the new "ASF Perspective" which will be sent not only to the 1976 entrants, but to key members of the music industry who will be attending our festivities in New York on January 13th. On behalf of the American Song Festival Staff and Judges,
I congratulate you. If we can be of help, please let us know.
A presentation of Sterling Recreation Organization |
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DANCES FOR ALL AGE GROUPS
KENORA MINER AND NEWS ~Wednesday, March 3, 1976 Put on your dancing shoes, because this weekend is for the swingers. That's right. For people aged 11 to 111 there's some dancing music just for you during the winter carnival. There's a Sock Hop . . . a high school dance . . . . For those out of high school, there's a dance on tap for you too. Friday night at the Recreation Centre, "Sue-On and the Western Union" will be performing at the ice surface dance. Music starts at 9 p.m. and admission is $2. $30,000 FOR NEW OLYMPIC SONG RPM MAGAZINE ~ April 24, 1976 The Montreal Olympics Organizing Committee (COJO) opened a contest to select an official Olympic song. The winning song will be debuted at the internationally broadcasted Olympic closing ceremonies this summer. . . . The committee will award $1,000 to each of 10 contest finalists plus another $30,000 to the winner. . . . Eligible composers must be Canadian, members of a recognized songwriters society and represented by a publisher who is a member of CAPAC or BMI. The songs, which can be in French or English, and must be new, original compositions, must be submitted on mono, 15 ips tapes with a voice accompanied by three to five musical instruments, suitable for broadcast. COJO will share the studio costs of tape production. ... |
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COUNTRY STREAM MUSIC & RECORD CO.
Box 2644 ~ St. Louis, MO 63116 ~ May 13, 1977 Dear Bill & Sue-On Hillman Hope all is well with you and yours. I have reviewed records, and read promo. I'm thinking in terms of personal management. If you're tied up the, there would be no need to go further. There are a lot of questions I would like to ask: Maple Grove Records and Music BMI... Is that your label and publishing co? Will Canada continue to be your home base? I assume you have 8x10s, which I would need to prom you. Also what is your money rate, Re: bookings? I hope that you understand my line of questioning. If we are to work together, then I must know. Will await your reply. Thank you and God bless you and yours. Sincerely: Tony Mazzola GLENN PRODUCTIONS & PROMOTIONS 157 West 57 Street, New York, New York 10019 ~ March 21, 1977 Mr. Bill Hillman, Canada Dear Bill: Received your records and am very impressed. If you are interested in working out a promotion -release -distribution deal for the US, please call or write to the above. Looking forward to your reply. Sincerely, Ben J. Arrigo |
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DAUPHIN KIN-ADIAN FRONTIER DAZE
May 26-28, 1977 Arena Mary Jayne Shoppe (fan & sponsor) ALPINE MESSENGER SERVICE LTD. Annual Banquet ~ Embassy Ballroom, International Inn, Winnipeg February 5, 1977 Dancing to the music by: The Hillman Express NATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT BANQUET AND BALL MID-CANADA JAYCEES May 22, 1977 BRANDON SPORTSMANS SHOW March 19,1978 Bus Depot photo strip |
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LAKE OF THE WOODS: FUNTIER DAZE
March 3-6, 1977 Dances and Entertainment One of the highlights of any Carnival is the giant gathering of people which takes place during the Carnival dances. The ice surface of the Kenora Recreation Centre is covered with canvas and turned into a giant dance hall for adult dances on Friday and Saturday night. At the same time, the high school make use of their gyms to run dances for their students and the Kinettes stage sock hops for students aged 11-grade eight at Evergreen School. The adult dances, for people 18 years of age and over, will again this year feature live entertainment by "Bill and Sue-On and the Hillman Express", a very versatile and enjoyable group operating out of Strathclair, Manitoba. Filling in to provide continuous entertainment will be the sounds of Kenora's own "Music Machine". Dances and entertainment, always a focal point of past Carnivals, will once again prove a friendly gathering of the citizens of Kenora and visitors to the Lake of the Woods Winter Carnival. |
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PRO CANADA: THE MUSIC SCENE ~ May-June 1978
BILL and SUE-ON HILLMAN's latest album, on Maple Grove Records (Box 280, Strathclair, Man., R0J 2C0) was recorded during two summer tours of England, in 1976-77. The two did 30 one-night stands on each tour... "She (Sue-On) has a big, rich voice that just tears through country-rockers,"wrote Joe Sornberger of the Edmonton Journal. LAUGHING BANDIT ~ Winnipeg Tribune, June 11, 1976 Dusty Lee Rivers, the man with the rifle, held up the Toronto-Dominion Bank at Pembina Hwy. and McGillivray Blvd. Thursday afternoon. Actually, Dusty is the star of the Canadian Country Jubilee, one of the attractions at Fort Garry's Frontier Days celebration, and the robbery was part of the fun. The festival began today with the Frontier Days parade and lasts until Sunday, when it ends with an old-time dance. |
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CANADIAN FORCES BASE SHILO
SPRING INVITATIONAL BONSPIELS (19th 1977/20th 1978) Provincial Mixed Playdowns at the Shilo Country Club March 31/April 1 and April 6-8, 1977 ~ April 1/2 and April 7-9, 1978 February 24, 1978 Dinner & Dance Music by THE HILLMAN TRIO YELLOWHEAD NEWS ROUNDUP ~ December 5, 1978 NEWDALE: Long before moving to Brandon, Soo Choy of Newdale was famous throughout western Manitoba for his Chinese food. Nearly every weekend saw people driving to Newdale for one of his meals. A lot of groups held annual dinners at his cafe. We were talking to Soo the other day just after he had completed 9 holes of golf. Although not too active in the Brandon operation now, he still drops around to help the family out. The skill and years of food preparation he has passed on in Soo's Chop Suey House, winning the Presidents trophy for Restaurateur of the Year. The award was given by a panel of judges for the Manitoba Restaurant and Food Services Association. Soo is equally as proud of his daughter Sue-On, who along with her husband Bill Hillman, recently entertained at NEEPEX and other functions. This young couple have made a couple of albums and have a large following. Bill Hillman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Hillman of Strathclair. |
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WINDOW OF THE WORLD PAVILION Kinsmen Arena, Brandon 5 DAYS OF SUPER SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT THE HILLMAN EXPRESS CARABEAN STEELBAND HANDS CARLSON TRIO CAST IRON POTTY BAND RESI DUX MC Barry Forman & Kent ~ Rivers Pipe Band Ethnic Dancers ~ Other Entertainment ~ Ethnic Food ~ Alcoholic Beverages DELORAINE LIONS 9th ANNUAL 1980 CAR-TRUCK DISPLAYS September 21 & 22 Fiesta Fling featuring HILLMAN EXPRESS |
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KINSMEN CLUB OF SWAN RIVER
KINSMEN OPEN ANNIVERSARY DANCE Saturday, February 18, 1978 The Star and Times: Thurs, February 2, 1978 Dance to Bill and Sue-On Hillman - the Hillman Express Band from Strathclair, Manitoba. Bill Hillman has turned out six Bill and Sue-On Hillman Albums. During this period he appeared on Daily and Weekly TV Shows for five years, toured with Bobby Curtola, appeared with such artists as The Everly Brothers, Roger Miller, The Newbeats, Gordie Tapp. Bill and Sue-On hold university degrees in Arts, Science, and Education. Both teach high school music, drama and geography. For six years previous to this they performed as back-up band and feature act on the popular Federal Grain Train Show - performing at every major fair and rodeo in Western Canada - including the Northwest Round-up in Swan River. The third member of the Hillman Express is Kevin Pahl, also of Strathclair. He is a keyboard whiz in his musical contributions. William Ja-On Campbell Hillman was born in Brandon on February 17, 1978. |
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with a promise to be the best show yet! KEYSTONE CENTRE Brandon, MB March 17, 18 and 19, 1978 ENTERTAINMENT
AL CHERNY HILLMAN EXPRESS
JOHNNY THORSON
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CHMM ~ Flagship of the many radio stations in Manitoba, Canada,
and beyond that were responsible for the success of our 12 albums and many
single releases:
In Sadness, One Night Stand, Bring Back the Goodtimes, Cajun Stomp, Hold Me Darlin', et al. |
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SUN VALLEY SONGS ~ 23 Denmark Place, London, England
WC2H 8NL
17.10.79 Dear Bill:
Unlike most publishers and production companies in the British Isles we are currently expanding our operations. We would therefore be interested in any works/catalogues currently un-represented in the British Commonwealth. With our parent company we have full in-house disc-cutting, tape copying and production facilities. Therefore you may be assured that we would exert the maximum effort in promoting your works. Yours sincerely,
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International Inn ~ Winnipeg
We've done many dances and shows here over the years in their main convention hall, hospitality rooms, and poolside. We even appeared in the Hollow Mug Dinner Theatre Room when a client reserved the entire room and featured us along with the theatre cast. |
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COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS: Academy of Country Music Entertainment
Volume 1 ~ Issue 7 ~ March 1981 COUNTRY MUSIC SPREADS ITS WINGS We are happy to see another regional Country Music Organization spring up. The MANITOBA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTRY ENTERTAINMENT (MACE) has been incorporated and have applied for a Charter. The organization is headed by Mike Ried of CHMM-FM with Vice President Wayne Link of the Country Group Red Wine and Treasurer Pat Blythe. Other Directors are Bob Burns, Bill Hillman, Lewis Kaselitz and Gene Bretecher. The organization is working towards the promotion of Manitoba Artists and for the enrichment and betterment of Country Music in the province. They have also indicated a desire to help the Academy in fund raising to promote Country Music on a National Basis. We wish them well and hope they will be successful in attaining their goals. |
TO THE HILLMAN MUSICAL ODYSSEY
BILL & SUE-ON HILLMAN ECLECTIC STUDIO WebMaster: Bill Hillman