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Born in Renfrew, Ontario, Art is an avid and loyal fan of country music, old time fiddling and step dancing. He formed his own band at the age of 15 and, for the next thirty years, played for countless dances, weddings, anniversaries, fundraisers and at hotels throughout the Ottawa Valley. In his "other" life, Art was a teacher and principal (retired 1996), Reeve of Beachburg for 21 years, and Warden of Renfrew County in 1985.
Art’s expertise as an MC is in great demand, and his well recognized voice has been heard at hundreds of venues, from the Irish concerts in Sarasota, FL to the Northwest Territories and from Dartmouth, NS to Kelowna, BC. He has emceed many fiddle and step dancing events across Canada, including the Grand Masters Fiddle Championships in Nepean and the Pembroke Fiddle and Step Dancing Contest since its beginning in 1975.
Art is also a licensed auctioneer and, together with his wife, Dot, his daughter-in-law, Kim, and sons, Jason and Paddy Sean, operates the family farm near Beachburg, Ontario where they raise award-winning purebred Simmental cattle.
Art’s latest venture, in partnership with his daughter, Cindy Lee, is as organizer and tour guide for trips all over the world and, in 2004, he completed his 18th tour of Ireland. Although extremely busy, Art finds a lot of time for a great joy in his life, his grandson, Reuben John Jamieson.
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