Paul Valdemar Horsdal, (born 1 September 1945), commonly known as Valdy, is a Canadian folk and country musician whose solo career began in the early 1970s. He is known for "Rock and Roll Song", his first mainstream single. Valdy is the winner of two Juno Awards for Folk Singer of the Year and Folk Entertainer of the Year and has received seven additional Juno nominations. His fourteen albums, including four which are certified gold, have achieved sales of nearly half a million copies.
Early life and education Valdy was born and grew up in Ottawa, Ontario,"Valdy". The Canadian Encyclopedia, by Holly Quan, 7 February 2006 the third child of Danish portrait photographer Paul Horsdal and Lillian Horsdal (née West), an English nurse and writer. He studied guitar and piano," Valdy". AllMusic, biography by John Bush and attended Lisgar Collegiate Institute.
Career Early career Valdy was a member of The London Towne Criers during the 1960s and subsequently joined Montreal band The Prodigal Sons. He then moved to Victoria, where he worked with various rock and country musicians, including Blake Emmons.
When he was 25 Valdy bought several acres of land in Sooke, BC, and began farming. He began performing as a solo artist, and in 1972 recorded his "Rock and Roll Song" on Haida/A&M; it became a hit. His music was featured in the 1972 Steve McQueen film The Getaway. In 1973 he won a Juno Award for Outstanding Folk Performance.
Valdy recorded a live album, Family Gathering, through A&M; it was recorded at Massey Hall in Toronto and released in 1974.
Valdy appeared on the CBC TV show The Beachcombers as the environmental activist "Halibut" Stu. He also secured a part in the reunion production of The New Beachcombers performing a song he wrote, "It's The Water," as part of a jug band.
Valdy was among the performers at the first Home County Folk Festival in London, Ontario Canada, in 1974.
1980s Played at the 1983 Home County Folk festival in London Ontario, on July 23rd.
In 1986, Valdy made a guest appearance as himself in the popular 1980's Canadian children's television show, Today's Special (episode entitled: "trash"). He also guest appeared as himself on Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show in the third-season episode titled "Growing Up".
2000s In 2000, Valdy released the album Contenders with country musician Gary Fjellgaard. He continued to tour with Fjellgaard for many years."Contenders, still: Valdy on why he's still on the road" . Sean Brady Kamloops This Week, 26 October 2018
Valdy recorded 2003's Viva Valdy: Live at Last during the Rack-On-Tour. On 21 November 2005, Valdy was awarded the National Achievement Award by SOCAN at the 2005 SOCAN Awards in Toronto."2005 SOCAN Awards" . SOCAN website
2010s Valdy was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in June 2011. In 2012, he released his 18th album, Read Between the Lines, and toured across Canada in support."Street Sounds: Folk troubadour remains relevant" . Vernon Morning Star, Dean Gordon-Smith, 9 Nov. 2012"Valdy in Province For Tour, New Album". CBC East Coast Music, Bob Mersereau, 4 Oct 2012.
In 2013, Valdy toured in Canada with New Zealand guitarist Graham Wardrop."Folk stalwart Valdy at home on the coast". Mike Devlin, Times Colonist, 8 October 2013 In 2014, he continued to perform at folk festivals, including Kingsville Folk with jazz pianist Karel Roessingh and Nadina Mackie-Jackson on bassoon."Review: Kingsville Folk 2014". Folk Roots Radio, JAN HALL
As of 2018, Valdy continues to regularly tour across Canada, including a performance on the main stage at the Mariposa Folk Festival.
2020s
Valdy returned to the Home County Folk Festival on its 50th anniversary in London, Ontario on July 26th 2026.
Personal life
In 1986, Valdy married Kathleen Fraser Horsdal. Kathleen is a teacher, hospice worker and song co-writer. His daughter with his then partner Lindsay Whalen is actress Chelah Horsdal (b. 1973).
Discography Albums Year Album CAN 1972 Country Man 39 1973 Landscapes 39 1974 Family Gathering 35 1975 See How the Years Have Gone By — 1976 Valdy and the Hometown Band 40 1978 Hot Rocks 65 1980 1001 — 1980 Passport: Best of Valdy — 1981 Valdy's Kids Record — 1986 Notes from Places — 1988 Classic Collection — 1993 Heart at Work — 1996 Smorgasbard — 1999 Contenders (with Gary Fjellgaard) — 2001 Valdy: Millennium Collection — 2003 Viva Valdy: Live at Last — 2007 Contenders Two: Still in the Running(with Gary Fjellgaard) — 2012 Read Between The Lines —
Singles Year Single Chart Positions Album CAN AC CAN CAN Country 1972 "Rock and Roll Song" 31 17 — Country Man 1973 "A Good Song" 9 9 — "Simple Life" 22 16 — Landscapes 1974 "Landscapes" 87 — — "Renaissance" — 23 — Family Gathering 1976 "Yes I Can" 12 63 — Valdy and the Hometown Band "Peter and Lou" 15 58 — 1978 "Dirty Old Man" 38 — — singles only 1981 "Easy Money" 17 — — "Thank God He's a Stranger" 28 — — 1985 "Sonny's Dream" — — 17 Notes from Places 1993 "Link in a Chain" — — 36 Heart at Work 1994 "Dreams About You" — — 48
References
External links Valdy's website CanConRox entry The Canadian Encyclopedia: Valdy