King Ganam

Born Ameen Sied Ganam, King Ganam began his musical career at the age of nine, when he began learning the fiddle from old-time fiddlers and playing at dances in his hometown. By the age of 13, he was playing live on CHWC radio in Regina. He later went on to be taught by such fiddle greats as W. Knight Wilson, Jack Thornicroft and Gregori Garbovitsky. In 1942, he formed Sons of the West in Edmonton, and went on to perform on CBC Radio's “Alberta Ranch House”, winning the 1950 World Open Western Band Competition in Vancouver. This led to a recording contract with RCA Victor and to the creation of Ganam's nickname “Canada's King of the Fiddle”. After moving to Toronto in 1952, Ganam and his band performed live at Casa Loma, which lead to them becoming regular performers on CBC TV's “Holiday Ranch”. The band also starred in their own CBC Radio show and from 1959-1960 appeared regularly on CBC TV's “Country Hoedown” with Gordie Tapp. In 1961, Ganam starred in his own TV show on CTV entitled, “The King Ganam Show”. Although he moved to California in 1972, Ganam returned regularly to perform in Canada. King Ganam is one of the original inductees to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, having also received the Saskatchewan Country Music Association's Legend and Legacy Award in 1990. King Ganam passed away on April 26, 1994 at the age of 78.