Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Don Messer And His Islanders – Flop Eared Mule
78 RPM audio transfer from Bowness Arts' collection of vintage records.
Don Messer And His Islanders – Flop Eared Mule / Angus Campbell
Label: Apex – 26277 (Canada)
Format: Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
Released: 1944
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Violin Instrumental
Other side of this record: Angus Campbell
youtu.be/tRBbVOm5KSw
Donald Charles Frederick Messer was born on May 9, 1909, in Tweedside, New Brunswick, Canada. He was a Canadian musician, band leader, and radio broadcaster. Known as a shy fiddler, Messer preferred to let other members of the band take the spotlight. He began his radio career on CFBO in Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1929, joining the station staff. By that time, he had organized a small studio band of musicians. In 1934, they started a regular radio show for the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (forerunner to the CBC), broadcasting from CHSJ in Saint John under the name the New Brunswick Lumberjacks. Messer also made personal appearances throughout the Maritimes and New England with a smaller group named the "Backwoods Breakdown." In 1939, Messer left Saint John and relocated to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where he became the music director at CFCY. While in Charlottetown, he formed the "Islanders," and by 1944, the group was airing a nationally broadcast show on CBC radio. The show became the most popular on Canadian radio during the 1940s-1960s, and Don Messer and The Islanders began touring outside of the Maritimes. His CBC Television series, "Don Messer’s Jubilee," which ran from 1959 to 1969, showcased Messer's down-east fiddle style and the "old-time" music of Don Messer and His Islanders. The show was one of the most popular and enduring Canadian television programs of the 1960s. Messer passed away on March 26, 1973, at the age of 63, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Note: The first 78 RPM record came into existence around 1894, and in 1912 the Gramophone Company established 78 Rotations Per Minute as their recording standard. The production of shellac records continued throughout the 78 rpm era, with "non-breakable" 78 rpm vinyl records being introduced in the 1940s. The popularity of the 33 1/3 rpm "Long Play" record, initially released in 1948, caused the 78 rpm record to become obsolete before the end of the 1950s. As these 78 rpm recordings are quite old, they may contain derogatory language and/or negative stereotypes. It is important to evaluate such recordings within their historical context and consider them as a reflection of the attitudes prevalent at the time. These recordings form an integral part of the historical record and do not represent the views of this poster, channel, or Bowness Arts.
Don Messer And His Islanders – Flop Eared Mule
78 RPM audio transfer from Bowness Arts' collection of vintage records.
Don Messer And His Islanders – Flop Eared Mule / Angus Campbell
Label: Apex – 26277 (Canada)
Format: Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
Released: 1944
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Violin Instrumental
Other side of this record: Angus Campbell
youtu.be/tRBbVOm5KSw
Donald Charles Frederick Messer was born on May 9, 1909, in Tweedside, New Brunswick, Canada. He was a Canadian musician, band leader, and radio broadcaster. Known as a shy fiddler, Messer preferred to let other members of the band take the spotlight. He began his radio career on CFBO in Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1929, joining the station staff. By that time, he had organized a small studio band of musicians. In 1934, they started a regular radio show for the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (forerunner to the CBC), broadcasting from CHSJ in Saint John under the name the New Brunswick Lumberjacks. Messer also made personal appearances throughout the Maritimes and New England with a smaller group named the "Backwoods Breakdown." In 1939, Messer left Saint John and relocated to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where he became the music director at CFCY. While in Charlottetown, he formed the "Islanders," and by 1944, the group was airing a nationally broadcast show on CBC radio. The show became the most popular on Canadian radio during the 1940s-1960s, and Don Messer and The Islanders began touring outside of the Maritimes. His CBC Television series, "Don Messer’s Jubilee," which ran from 1959 to 1969, showcased Messer's down-east fiddle style and the "old-time" music of Don Messer and His Islanders. The show was one of the most popular and enduring Canadian television programs of the 1960s. Messer passed away on March 26, 1973, at the age of 63, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Note: The first 78 RPM record came into existence around 1894, and in 1912 the Gramophone Company established 78 Rotations Per Minute as their recording standard. The production of shellac records continued throughout the 78 rpm era, with "non-breakable" 78 rpm vinyl records being introduced in the 1940s. The popularity of the 33 1/3 rpm "Long Play" record, initially released in 1948, caused the 78 rpm record to become obsolete before the end of the 1950s. As these 78 rpm recordings are quite old, they may contain derogatory language and/or negative stereotypes. It is important to evaluate such recordings within their historical context and consider them as a reflection of the attitudes prevalent at the time. These recordings form an integral part of the historical record and do not represent the views of this poster, channel, or Bowness Arts.
