Bass Lines and Memories with Peter Snell
Byron resident, Peter Snell, has spent the past 12 years building a life filled with community, family and music alongside his wife, Sharron. Music has been a lifelong passion for Peter, and over the years, his journey has taken many twists and turns. Bass guitar became his instrument of choice and he quickly established himself as the bassman in a Legion-based country band called County Road. He later partnered with Jim Furneaux in the 60s cover duo Double Take and played bass for both The J-Tones and The Silhouettes, groups known for their lively 50s and 60s hits. His current project is a duo with Byron newcomer Fred Garant, who moved to the community from Leamington with his wife Cath about three years ago. When Fred put out a call for a musician to jam with, Peter responded, and the two immediately clicked. They formed a duo called Heart and Soul, a name suggested by Fred, while Peter added a final touch with the idea of matching shirts. With that, the act was ready to go. Just as their new project was gaining momentum, Peter began noticing changes in his health, which he initially attributed to age. At 78, many musicians might consider setting their instruments aside. However, his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease shifted his outlook. Rather than stepping away from music, Peter chose to embrace it even more deeply. With unwavering support from Sharron, his family and friends, his doctors and therapists and his music partner Fred, Peter views his musical efforts as an essential part of his future. His family doctor reinforced this with heartfelt advice: “Don’t ever give up playing… it’s your best therapy.” Peter adds, “Music has always been my anchor. Even on the hardest days, picking up the bass reminds me of who I am and what I can still give to others.” Music has not only been therapeutic for Peter but also a bridge to countless memorable encounters. Eight years ago, he fulfilled a dream of meeting one of his favourite artists, Roy Clark, at the legendary entertainer’s office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Peter recalls Clark as humble and just as engaging in person as he was on HeeHaw. Through his connections, Peter also came to know Canadian icon Geordie Tapp, a HeeHaw writer and performer and even had the chance to share a stage with Rompin’ Ronnie Hawkins when Peter’s band, Whiskey Jack Music Company, opened for The Hawks many years ago. His passion for music also shaped his career as an elementary school teacher, where he always incorporated a music component into his lessons. He fondly remembers guiding a group of Grade 3 Sherwood Library Grand Opening Sherwood Library, located in Sherwood Forest Mall at 1225 Wonderland Road North, invites all to come explore their stunning new space and celebrate with them at their Grand Opening event, Saturday, October 4, from 11 am to 2 pm! Visitors can enjoy fun activities for all ages – including a photo- booth, face painters, and more surprises – while touring the newly renovated facility. Library staff extend a huge THANK YOU to the community for their patience during the renovation, and to our generous supporters – especially the Friends of the London Public Library and Rudy Sparkuhl – for helping bring this beautiful transformation to life.
students through a performance of Cat’s in the Cradle at a school assembly, complete with stage choreography. Years later, those same students—by then adults raising their own families—shared with him how the song’s meaning had grown clearer with time. For Peter, these moments are reminders of the lasting impact music can have. Many former students, now enjoying their own retirements, have told him how important music has been in their lives and how much they cherish those early memories. One of his most touching experiences came at a retirement complex, where a resident approached him after a program and said, “I only hope that if you find later in your life that you live in such a facility as this that someone will come along and give you the pleasure you have brought to us today.” For Peter Snell, music has been more than performance—it’s been connection, memory, therapy and joy. And in Byron, surrounded by community, it continues to be the heartbeat of his life.
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