Still young at heart

Pickles' profiles - As far back as I can remember, Jerry Smith has always played a vital role in the music scene in our community.

With a career that has spanned several decades (he will be 60 years old on Dec. 26) he never once lost sight of his original love and passion for music.

He was just three when he started playing the accordion professionally. His mom, Eleanor Smith, had relatives central Newfoundland, and his dad worked as a logger for the A.N.D. Co. Both hailed from Chance Cove, Trinity Bay.

They would ride the Newfie Bullet on the milk run and Jerry would make close to $10 or $15 playing music by the time the train pulled into central. He credits his mom and dad, both musicians as his early influence.

Not only did Nathanial Smith play guitar and piano, but he also had a smooth, clear voice, filled with rich vibrato. When Jerry was young he would make fun of the way his dad sang. These days when Jerry himself sings he reminds himself of his father.

He moved from accordion to guitar, dropping the traditional sound when the Beatles came along. Jerry's first real band gig was at the Montrose Hotel, in Grand Falls-Windsor. The band was called the F. F Group, which also included members, Johnny Piercey, Johnny White, and Ed Feener. Their take-home pay was eight dollars a weekend. By 1968, he recalls he had already played in three bands, and cut his musical teeth in places like the Oasis, Spencer's Hotel, Simwesco Hotel, and St. Joseph's for teenage dances. When asked who he played with most over the years, he answered "Lornie Way". Another influence would be a musician named Rick Hollett, who followed Kevin Anstey as keyboard player in the band Choice.

The first Choice (as Smitty liked to call them), included Kevin Anstey, John King, Ed Cater, Melv Ellis, Russ Way, and Jerry. From the band Choice came the beautiful haunting melody Was It Something I Said, written by Gordie Joe and sang by Jerry.

Choice was together for six years and at one time was the backup band for the Platters. Jerry said the band itself had at least 10 or 11 different members. After a brief stint with the group "Red Foxx", the band "Chaulkie" was formed circa 1977-78.

How can we ever forget Chaulkie! They had to be, without a doubt, the best band to ever grace these parts. They went through three drummers in 15 years; Butch Pinsent, Roger Williams and Roger Hiscock, however, the main players in the band stayed the same; Kevin Anstey, Dave Strong, and Jerry. Which brings me to the third major influence in Jerry's music career, Kevin Anstey. At the beginning of Chaulkie, Jerry said Kev was relentless at times, trying to make him learn guitar parts. Kev Anstey himself was a very learned musician, and Jerry was to reap the musical rewards of a friendship and a partnership. Chaulkie disbanded in 1992.

There comes a time in every musician's life, when they hear voices telling them to "get a real job", so Jerry, thinking he would provide a "normal" life for himself, became the local milkman for Central Dairies. He then joined a duo with former Chaulkie band mate, Dave Strong and they played together for three years. Then it was on to another duo with Gary Davis, which produced the well-known recording Me and Smitty.

The duo played together for three years, which brought Jerry to the Jimmy Jak jam band. This band played every week for a stretch with members, among them Lorne Way, Glen Parsons, Dave Strong and Gary Davis.

While visiting a friend's cabin, Jerry received a phone call from Russ Way asking him to join a band previously called The Outlaws. This phone call was reinforced by another call from Sid Lane to join the band and play at his club, the Double S Lounge, every Saturday night.

That was the start of one of the most popular bands around, whose members still remain. Russ and Lorne Way, Sid Lane, Dave Burke and Jerry have played together ever since. This month will mark 11 years that Young at Heart have been together.

The next question to Jerry, of course, was how did you get the name? One night at the Double S Lounge, a friend Bill Lane said of them "The b'ys might be gettin' up there, but they're still young at heart."

Jerry now spends his time playing with Sean Tulk and Gerry Pynn, and Young at Heart. He has also been recording originals, co-written by his brother Randy, which I hope we will be hearing soon.

Jerry has always had the ability to make every song he sings his own. His voice has matured like fine wine. Today, when I asked him which song is most requested of him, hea answered that without a doubt it's Joe Batt's Arm Longliner, a song written by a friend from the community. No doubt when he gave it to Jerry, he knew what he was doing.

We almost lost him when he had a brain aneurism a few years back, but quick thinking on his doctor's part saved him. To this day they still don't know what exactly happened, but his doctor told him not to buy any more lotto tickets, because he had already won. A little mishap that only set him back a week.

These days, Jerry feels the best about his singing and playing than he has ever felt in his life. With age, they say, comes maturity and I think he's in his happy place. I know he enjoys singing now more than he ever has; he feels his vocals are "coming along." Well, for me they were always "coming along" as he's always been one of my favorite singers. It was truly an honor to sit and chat. Thank you, Jerry and you have a great birthday.