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Reg Gallant Biography

Reg's introduction to music began at an early age. Born in the small village of Rexton, New Brunswick on March 27th, 1955, his family was poor and could not afford to go out much, so they would often have get-togethers at the family home on weekends. These "times" as they were called, laid the foundation for Reg's musical background and his love of Country Music.

Reg's father played guitar, mandolin and the harmonica, and it was at these parties that his fascination for the music began. He would sneak down stairs when there was a break in the music and he would pluck away at the strings trying to make it sound like the music he heard down below. He and his brother Claude would learn the verses to their favorite country songs and sign them acapella on the front porch of their grandmother's house in the summertime much to the delight of neighbors, and passers by.

Reg learned to play guitar, mandolin, and later, the 5-string banjo, fiddle and bass; he also "tinkers" with the piano, hammer dulcimer, harmonica, dobro, and steel.

Reg got an early introduction to "showbiz" with appearances on Supper Club and Time for Juniors, and entered many local talent contests after the family moved to Fredericton. As frequent winners of these contests, he and his brother became known as "ringers" and would often be told that the prize had to go to someone else for a change. The late Aubrey Hanson once told Reg to "Stick with it Kid, ya got a future in music"", Reg had just won the talent contest that Aubrey's band was fronting.

As a teenager Reg played in local rock bands, but his love of country music earned him a spot in a popular band in Oromocto called the "Twilights" and after stints with them, he was offered a spot in a rival band called "Time Zone" which he took, as it offered more of a chance to sing as a lead vocalist. Following that he and his brother were asked to form their own band and for the next twenty years this band would evolve form a group called Lost Souls to the very popular Fredericton based group called "BLACKJACK" which is still going strong with Brother Claude at the helm. Reg had to leave that group because of work commitments, he was manager at a Saint John music store and had to work Fridays and Saturdays. He and his brother played all over New Brunswick and became a steady fixture at such places as the River Room in Fredericton, Legions, Service Clubs, Military Clubs in Gagetown, fairs, weddings, beer gardens and arenas. They were introduced to the Saint John area by #2 Branch of the Legion in the city's West Side and became popular with many other clubs in the area.

Reg is very active in the Saint John music scene, having been music director for the popular jamborees at the Imperial Theatre and was a member of the Saint John Old Time Fiddlers, and Antique Ernie and the Hardwood Ramblers Comedy Act. Reg has opened for Julian Austin at Festival by the Sea as a member of ECMA nominee Jessica Rhaye's Band and has worked with a veritable who's who of New Brunswick musical talent such as George Hector, Ned Landry, Allison Inch, Ivan Hicks, Gary Morris, Gene O'Connor, Joan Kennedy, Joey Knight, Vance Patterson, Al Sherwood, Aubrey Hanson, Al Hooper, Perry Craft, Dominique Dupuis, Roger Lanteigne, Hank Snow and many more too numerous to mention.

Reg still finds the time to go to his regularly scheduled Tuesday night jams at Vance Patterson's house and does sound and lights at many events, while still finding the time to entertain at seniors homes around town.

Reg has written many songs, most are now registered with SOCAN through Winmar Publishing. Reg continues to work hard to keep the flames of country music alive and well in New Brunswick as well as in his heart and the hearts of his many friends.