Great Speckled Bird was a country rock group formed in 1969 by the Canadian musical duo Ian & Sylvia. Ian Tyson sang, played guitar and composed. Sylvia Tyson sang, composed and occasionally played piano. The other founding members were Amos Garrett on guitar and occasional vocals, Ben Keith on steel guitar, Ken Kalmusky on bass and Ricky Marcus on drums. They were named after the song, "The Great Speckled Bird", as recorded by Roy Acuff (1936).

Career The group was featured in the film Festival Express, a documentary about the music festival of the same name that took place in 1970. The shows were scheduled, and the performers traveled by train, across Canada. In the film, Great Speckled Bird performs "C.C. Rider", along with Delaney Bramlett and members of the Grateful Dead. A performance of the Dylan/Manuel song "Tears of Rage", without the aforementioned accompaniment, is included in the extra features of the DVD release.

In 1970, the group became the house band for the television show Nashville North, produced by the CTV network and filmed at the CFTO-TV studios in Toronto, which, after one season, became the Ian Tyson Show.J. Einarson, I. Tyson, S. Tyson. 2011.The Cool Groove. The Ian Tyson Show. 2008. retrieved 2011-09-14. The show ran until 1975.

The group backed Ian & Sylvia until the duo parted ways in 1975. They also backed Ian Tyson as a solo artist, for his 1973 debut solo album and his live performances,Liner notes. Ol' Eon. Ian Tyson. 2004"Ian's 1st Solo Album Marks Return To Country Roots", Billboard, November 23, 1974, p.66 until 1976.The Cool Groove. Great Speckled Bird. 2008. retrieved 2011-09-14.

Discography

Albums Year Album Album Artist CAN Label 1970 Great Speckled Bird Great Speckled Bird 54 Ampex 1972 You Were on My Mind Ian & Sylvia and The Great Speckled Bird Columbia 1973 Ol' Eon Ian Tyson 81 A&M

Singles Year Single Chart Positions Album CAN Country CAN AC CAN 1970 "Trucker's Cafe" 9 94 Great Speckled Bird 1972 "You Were on My Mind" 4 You Were on My Mind 1973 "Love Can Bless the Soul of Anyone"4661Ol' Eon 1974 "Great Canadian Tour"13

Videography Year Title Notes1970The Johnny Cash Showperformed "Crazy Arms" and "Long Long Time to Get Old"1970Nashville Northproduced by the CTV network1971–1975The Ian Tyson Showproduced by the CTV network2003Festival Expressfilmed in 1970

See also

Country rock Amos Garrett

References

Bibliography J. Einarson, I. Tyson, S. Tyson. Four Strong Winds: Ian and Sylvia. 2011. McClelland & Stewart Ltd. . retrieved 2011-09-13.

External links The Cool Groove – Great Speckled Bird, website of some former members of the band