Rairdon named to Maine Country Music Hall

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    Bonnie Rairdon has added two more prestigious awards to her extensive repertoire.
    On March 21, the Maine County Music Hall of Fame Induction committee met and counted the ballots submitted by the members of the Hall of Fame. The ballot consisted of three qualified individuals, which the committee selected to be voted on by the Hall of Fame members and as a result of the voting, Rairdon was selected by the greatest number of those voted, as the Committee’s choice of induction into the Maine Hall of Fame.
    The induction ceremony will be Saturday at the Le Club Calumet in Augusta. Rairdon will perform one song for the award’s program, along with other new inductees.
    The next accolade for Rairdon will happen on Oct. 13 when she will be inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame.
Bonnie Rairdon
    The inductions will take place at the gala banquet hall at the Coverdale Recreation Centre, Riverview.
    Rairdon was the 10th of 12 children born to Orsie Ivey and the late Mozart Ivey. Since her family was musical, she was inspired at an early age to entertain. Rairdon’s musical career as a child was singing in the Maxell Pentecostal Church. As a preteen, she entertained on the Jeannie Wood CFNB TV Show, “Time for Juniors.”
    Then, she performed on the Ralph Hall weekly radio show in Maine.
    For 20 years, she was Rusty Rogers “favorite girl singer,” as they performed from New Brunswick to Virginia, appearing with Doc and Chickie Williams. Rairdon appeared on Rusty Rogers “Tribute to the American Cowboy” show several times in Massachusetts.
    For many years, Rairdon traveled with “The Old-Time Radio Gang” and Alan Mac McHale and with special guests Gene and Flo Hooper.
    Rairdon performs yearly at the tribute to Hank Snow Show in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia with members of the Rainbow Ranch Boys. She and Dale MacElwain do many benefits for various charities, as well. She and MacElwain are working on a new album in Nashville.
    Other awards for Rairdon include: 2009 induction into the Maine Ole Opry; 2010 Album of the Year  “You and Me” recorded with MacElwain at Gary Morris Studio; 2011 Gospel Artist of the Year, Bluegrass Artist of the Year, Entertainer Award, Album of the Year “My Mother’s Bible” recorded with MacElwain and 2012 Maine Country Music Hall of Fame.
    An international multi-award winning veteran performer/ songwriter, Rairdon has performed from New Brunswick to Texas and even in Ireland. She blends country/gospel and bluegrass music.
    For more information visit the web site; www.bonnierairdon.