BOB JOHNSTON (2015 Inductee)

Born in Renfrew, Ontario, Bob was first introduced to music when he was involved in the Renfrew Collegiate Cadet Band and the Lanark Renfrew Regimental Pipe Band. He is the founding Member and Host of the Valley Bluegrass Festival, which is a family oriented festival in the friendly Ottawa valley and just celebrated its 21st year. The festival has contributed over $100K to local charities.

He has also been involved for over 20 years with the Renfrew Fair serving in executive positions as well as overseeing the Valley Stage. Bob has actively been involved in the community and served as Councillor and Mayor for the Horton Township. He was chair of the fundraising committee that brought in some top Canadian Country Artists that helped raised $100K to build the local community centre. He is also involved in local charities and organizations as a member of Heritage Radio BOD, Hospital Healing Garden Committee as well as other charities.

Bob won the Ottawa Valley Bluegrass Award of Merit in 2013 (David Tinkoff Award) and also received the Queens Jubilee Medal in 2013. He is currently part of the Countrymen Band. He is the founding member of this band and for over 50 years the band has played the Renfrew Country, West Quebec and Eastern Ontario venues. Two of the bands CD’s that were organized by Bob and his friends contributed to over $12K towards Renfrew charities.

Bob, during this life time, has been an educator, farmer, entrepreneur, politician and musician. Bob is a family man who has nurtured the recording careers of his wife Julie and a daughter Jennifer Bob and Julie also have a daughter Denise.


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