Gary Fairburn began his career in the early 60’s, guesting with the legendary
Happy Wanderers, who appeared regularly on CJOH-TV and radio station CFRA.
A talented guitarist and vocalist, Gary “tore up” the Ottawa Valley,
making music with the Silver Fox, Ron McMunn.
In 1974, with Ray Griff producing the session, Gary recorded “Neon
Lady” and “Don’t Cry Blue”. At
that session, he met members of Donna Moon’s band.
He moved to Toronto, fronted her show, and they were married that
November.
Donna was born in Madoc, Ontario and was known affectionately as “The Moon of
Madoc”. She began singing when
she was 14 at the Lakehead Barndance in Peterborough.
Her first single on Marathon Records, “Bittersweet” shot to #2 across
Canada in 1973. She had other big
hits with "Baby and Me” and “Let Me Be There”.
Juno nominations and regular television appearances quickly followed.
Donna became a frequent guest on the George Hamilton IV show, CBC’s
Tommy Hunter Show, and CBC Countrytime out of Halifax.
Gary and Donna started promoting country music shows in Ottawa and the Valley in
1985. It was then that they formed
a long-lasting friendship with Charlie Walker, one of the starts on the Grand
Ole Opry. The friendship led to the
three of them recording together. Gary
and Donna have also made several appearances on WSM Radio’s Midnight Jamboree
from Nashville’s Ernest Tubb Record Shop.
They have three children, John, Jennifer and Stephanie, and the two girls
have carried on the musical tradition of their parents.
In 1992, Gary and Donna opened the Nashville Palace in Vanier (later called the
Music City Bar and Grill), and it became a capital country music landmark.
They both continue to perform, and Gary also operates Music City
Productions, promoting shows with Canadian talent and stars of the Grand Ole
Opry.