1994 Entertainer Inductee

Neville Wells

    Neville Wells was born in Newfoundland in 1940 and grew up in Ompah, Ontario, just north of Sharbot Lake, where he attended high school.  His musical career began in the Ompah Dance Hall where, on Saturday nights, for $2, he sang and played rhythm guitar, backed up the fiddler, and called for the square dances.  He moved to Ottawa in 1959. 

    Neville has been a country music presence on the Ottawa Valley scene for many years. He has played in all of the country music establishments in the area and also traveled extensively across the land promoting his music.  He has had several records that received considerable airplay across the country, placing high on RPM and Country Music News charts, most notably, “If You Will See Me Through” and “Please Don’t Mention Her Name”. 

    In 1989, Neville was instrumental in establishing the legendary Ompah Stomp, one of Canada’s longest-running outdoor country music festivals. About the same time, he launched Capital Country News, which became Country Music News (now owned and edited by good friends Larry and Joanne Delaney), the most authoritative voice of and for country music in Canada.  He has been nominated for recognition by the Canadian Country Music Association on several occasions in recognition of his contribution and was named "Country Music Person of the Year" in 1984. 

    In 1994, Neville’s contribution to country music in the Ottawa Valley was recognized by his peers when he was inducted into the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame.  Neville continues to enjoy singing and playing in the Ottawa Valley.