May 10, 2016

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Smiley Bates

// by Larry Delaney // Born: Harvey E. Bates – October 16, 1937 – Kirkland Lake, ONTARIO Died: January 8, 1997 – Ullswater (Bent River), ONTARIO Harvey “Smiley” Bates was one of Canada’s most popular country balladeers, yet one who has been least recognized by the Canadian country music industry at large. A diehard country traditionalist, Smiley Bates was influenced by the music of Hank Snow; and in fact, promoted his music career much in the same fashion as his idol by travelling to his shows hauling a trailer filled with his albums and cassettes – a hot commodity with his many fans. Smiley Bates came from a musical family, with his father and mother (Sidney and Pearl Bates), seven brothers and three sisters all […]