Fraser Newcombe Committed to Tradition
By Don Graham
In a time when a lot of country music on radio and video today is very much like 90’s pop music, who will have the love and commitment to traditional country music to carry it on? Not many I assure you, but Fraser Newcombe of Murphy’s Cove, Nova Scotia proudly carries that torch for all to see and hear. Just over a year ago, I first met and shared a stage with Newcombe at the legendary Nashville Palace in Music City, U.S.A.
Several country, country rock, and country folk acts started the festivities on that May evening. Then Fraser Newcombe took the stage in his flowered Nudie suit, neat trim cowboy hat sitting proudly on his head and transported us back to simpler time. A time that the great songwriter Harland Howard called Three Chords and the Truth.
For over a quarter of a century Fraser Newcombe has been singing his songs and entertaining crowds all over the country. Doing songs from his heroes and influences, the Hanks; Snow and Williams, Johnny Cash, Stompin’ Tom Connors and Boxcar Willie. Pepper this with a collection of his own material, Fraser Newcombe has kept the tradition breathing. “ I do some covers of songs by my favourites and quite a few of my own songs. One of my best originals is ‘ Hank Snow and the Battery Radio.’ Wherever I play the folks seem to like my own songs,” Fraser said from his Maritime home. “I have 8 CD’s out there, available on my website and have shared stages with Tommy Cash and George Hamilton IV. Right now we have tentative tour in early Spring with Kevin Skinner, the America’s Got Talent winner, that would begin in Branson Missouri and tour the Southern States.”
Fraser Newcombe was born in Murphy's Cove, on the Eastern Shore of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Coming from a large family of 9 children, he learned the value of family traditions. Neighbors and friends would gather for any occasion and here is where Fraser acquired his love of music. His father worked in lumber camps and at age 12, Fraser worked alongside him. He attained his appreciation of natural resources at a very early age Fraser's love for the forestry, fisheries, and Canada's other natural resources, is emanated in his music. His strong passion for the preservation of these gifts, which he possesses, has led to his songwriting. Fraser's easy-going persona and comical nature, affords his work as interesting, entertaining, and amusing. Guaranteed to please and surprise you at the same time. Never having taken a guitar or voice lesson, Fraser's inspirations comes from classic country legends and he blends the mixture of these 'Greats' into his own style bringing you a familiar and unusual rendition of ageless music.
Fifteen years ago , Fraser met his lovely wife, Johanna. She was the drive for this turn in his life. She surprised him at Christmas with a studio session which led to vanity CD given to family and friends, Since then Fraser has gone on to record and release 7 CD’s all available through his website and iTunes. Fraser lives in the family home on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia with Johanna his wife of 15 years; he still maintains today that Johanna was the driving force behind his music success.
If you’re looking for something genuine, real and authentically country in your music then Fraser Newcombe is a must have for your CD collection.
