06/11/2026
Introducing the MC for the EAS Fiddle & Stepdance Competition (June 26 & 27 - Erin Fairgrounds) - John Lester!
John Lester has had some unique opportunities to be involved in various aspects of the music business. Having been involved at one time with both the Lindsay Central Exhibition and the Academy Theatre Foundation he was able to be involved with a long line-up of both Canadian and American country performers. For several years he was co-producer and MC of the Showcase of Entertainment for the annual conference of Ontario Fairs and Exhibitions, a show that featured many legendary performers.
During the 1980’s his involvement at CKLY Radio in Lindsay gave him the opportunity to DJ his own weekly show entitled “Country Favourites”. For many years he served as MC for several Fiddle and Step Dance competitions, including Bobcaygeon (where he also served on the Board and was President for quite a number of years), Perth, Fergus, and The Royal Winter Fair.
As a management representative of Rocklands Entertainment he has traveled literally from coast to coast in North America with such performers as Kitty Wells & Johnny Wright, Tommy Hunter, The Carlton Showband, George Hamilton IV, Rita MacNeil, Roy Clark, Ray Price, Mel Tillis, Charley Pride, Frank Mills, Jean Shepard, Bill Anderson, and even The Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show. He has also procured and hosted shows for many Fairs across Canada with acts such as The Kendalls, Billy Walker, Johnny Burke, John Conlee, Connie Smith, The Family Brown, Jeannie Pruett, Johnny Russell, Little Jimmy Dickens, Ronnie Prophet, Lucille Starr and Hank Snow.
In 1977 he helped form the Lindsay based country group “The Misty River Ramblers”, and performed as part of this group for well over a decade playing country dances and shows throughout Ontario.
When asked about possible highlights Lester is quick to mention opening for both Kitty Wells and Jean Shepard with the Misty River Ramblers and then years later joining Jean Shepard on stage on a number of different occasions to perform Ferlin Husky’s recitation in her hit song “The Dear John Letter”.
Being MC and/or performing on some of Ontario’s major Country Jamborees has always been a highlight for him including involvement over the years in Colborne, Trenton, Marmora, Lakefield, Napanee, Lindsay, Baldwin, Hastings and Hollyrood. He was also honoured to be President of the “Classic Country Music Reunion” (CCMR) for a number of years.
His first CD – “Country Memories” was released in 2005, and it was followed up several years later by a second release… “Country Dance Party”.
For over fifty years John Lester has also worked as an announcer for both motorsport events and horse shows, including well over forty eight years of involvement at Canada’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
In 2021 he embarked on a new venture, hosting a weekly four hour classic country music show on the internet radio station “Your Kawartha Oldies” which can be heard worldwide on Sundays from 2 to 6 PM Eastern at www.kawarthatimemachine.com
To learn more about the competition visit: https://www.erinfair.com/fiddle-and-stepdance-competition/
