The Stompin' Tom Story ( Tom's Big Break )

An interview with the bartender that got Stompin' Tom
his first real job, working at the Maple Leaf Hotel.
Folk and country music legend, Stompin' Tom Connors,
was known for many classic hits, including: Bud The Spud,
Luke's Guitar, The Hockey Song, Sudbury Saturday Night,
Muckin' Slushers, Believe In Your Country, Rubberhead,
The Ketchup Song, The Coal Boat Song, and many others!

[@jenten15]

was a student at Laurentian...instead of leaving for Christmas break...stayed to watch Tom...end of his show he punched a hole in the board...then he came to Thornloe pub for a beer........great memory..RIP Tom

[@charlesmaximus9161]

I’m American. Connors is largely unknown here, but I heard him through an old band mate of mine who used to go play bluegrass up in Ontario. He brought back all these fantastic Stompin’ Tom albums for me, telling me that I’d love it. Soon I found myself downloading everything I could find of his. I’m a little sad that I didn’t discover him until 2014, the year after he died. I would have loved to go up north to see him play live, but at least all the music he left behind will never leave us. I absolutely love that man’s music, he was incredible. I’m a folkie and he is probably one of my favourite singer-songwriters of all time, no question. Wish he’d been more appreciated down our way, because he really was special. His songs really made you fall in love with Canada and want to be a part of it.

[@sharonhoffert1294]

A true soul. no bs in the man, God bless tom !

[@frankdiscussion2069]

Tom Connors was a legend and a Canadian national treasure. Great interview.

[@cliffordcormier2582]

Stomping Tom Connors was one of the greatest here in Canada and everywhere you can imagine yeah how to go for his country he’s been all over Canada more than one that’s where he picked up motivation song is singing Every song he would think it was about one country one town or another the mountain land was all his he better cross his Canadian country more than one saying about his city he went two his life started late in life singing started in Ontario I’ve heard a lot about stomping Tom you to go but never got to see him in person I want to but the opportunity never aroused but I listen to his music whenever I can today like mini mini years ago I will always remember and listen to his song some heartbreaking but as Stompin Tom would say this is my country there hasn’t been a place I haven’t been I made a song for each blade that I had been he lived a hard life but he enjoyed it The people loved him and they get to know him he done everything I had a lady that most people only dream about no he is in heaven singing for all the good people up there but one thing we can always hear him down here anytime we desire a good country song from Canada his legacy is here and will always remain here along with his Song his music and his heart so if we ever get lonesome. For the open down get to go to KZbin and you will find him and his song whenever you want to listen a great big thank you to KZbin and KZbin and the people who runs it they let us listen to legends and the music whenever we want thank you so much for that we will all see storm and Tom gold gone Conway Twitty Johnny Cash hank Williams and many many more some day thank God for that amen Clifford Cormier Quebec Canada my hat is off to all country singer from Canada or the USA As I said before amen to all God bless

[@larryrhindress2972]

I saw Stompin Tom at a hockey rink in Fredericton N.B., during my first year of university in 1971. He was spectacular!!! We loved Tom's music from day one! What a fine Canadian! He always made us proud!

[@williamlinington9166]

You can learn so much about our country and it's history by listening to his music.

[@danlalonde2751]

Well, here is my story of meeting him. It was at the Brockdan hotel in Sudbury Ont. around 1970. The girl i was with came from P.E.I. and wanted to go there to see him play. When he finished his set he asked if there was anyone from P.E.I. Right away her hand went up and so he joined us at our table . He was as down to earth as they said he was. He of course had a lot of questions that he directed towards her . Following that ,he had as many questions for me . His break must of lasted for at least 40 minutes. I was a proud Canadian before we met and an even more proud Canadian afterwards.

[@MsSmudge14]

He had a special gift - (His voice, writing, the love of Canada, determination, down to earth. He was real, and I saw him in concert three times. After one concert, I gave the security guard a card and within a short time, I received an autographed photo. I treasure that so much. I met his wife and son after a concert, lovely people. I miss him and hope he is singing in heaven.

[@maskandvaccinefreeandproud2110]

Thank you so much for sharing. God bless

[@sean891]

Incredible story of an incredible Canadian legend.

[@superbird24]

It’s really nice to hear the audio. I felt I was transported back in time to 1964 Sudbury!

[@hogie4318]

Thank you for posting this, it is an incredible story - and God Bless the man that recognized Tom's talent, and his love of this great country and gave him a place to stay and a chance to share his stories. I believe there is no one that could have done a better job of putting that love of Canada into words. I've listened to Tom's music for 50 years, and will continue to listen to it until I can't hear anymore.RIP Tom, we miss you so much :(

[@daklakdigital3691]

Way back in the '60s I used to service computers in Kapuskasing and Geraldton. Air Canada flew to Timmins where I picked up a rental car. That's where I first met Stompin' Tom. Many singers and groups starting their careers used to do the Highway 11 route from Thunder Bay - Geraldton-Timmins-North Bay-Toronto. His death left Canada with one less hero.

[@gregoryalanelliott8795]

Ohhhhh... the good ol' hockey game... is the best game you can name...

[@marymcinnis1719]

What a great interview! I had tears listening to this.

[@tdottim]

glad it wasn't just me

[@flowrider5082]

Great interview and a great Canadian history story!

[@ronwisman1767]

great story about a great man. Before Tom died a total stranger ( a Newfie) loaned me the two books stompan Tom wrote What a wonderful treat

[@bradric5602]

Not a newfie....a prince edward islander!!

[@tommycodfish]

@@bradric5602 I think this person is referring to a stranger, a Newfie not Tom Connors who gave him 2 books that Tom wrote. Yes Tom is Prince Edward Islander but a true passionate Canadian.

[@markusthegreat4785]

🍁That's what Canada is all about. Great people with hearts of gold, helping out whenever we can. Thanks for the memories and the music Tom, you're a legend that lives in our hearts forever. Love ya bud.🍁

[@Camman010]

In the 1970's he was traveling around playing elementary schools and he played my school in BC. The school only had about 200 kids from grade 1 to 6 but we loved the songs and they stuck with me all these years. R.I.P Tom.

[@seanlong7872]

What a fantastic interview....just fabulous

[@kevinlasota3015]

Thank you sir for sharing this great interview. Imagine...if he would have chased him out the door. God puts people in our path to help. Thanks Gabe.😊

[@Momcat_maggiefelinefan]

I was 10 when Tom hit the Maple Leaf hotel. He started being played on the radio and I fell in love with his music. Fast forward a few years, I’m in nursing school and some of us would end up in the Maple Leaf for the cheap beer. On the wall hung a piece of the stage, very splintered and torn, the results of his 14 months at the bar. It was the results of his stomping good music, immortalized forever, and the genesis of the stompin’ board that was part of his trademark. Thanks to a kind soul in that little northern town a Canadian icon was born! Thanks to the Maple Leaf. I still miss you, Tom!

[@davemarsden7750]

Thank you for sharing this

[@kyahstewart1135]

Awesome/Great interview. Thank you for uploading. Tom Connors was a great Canadian and a humble Soul. R.I.P.

[@thomastherriault6199]

Thanks for posting. I remember the Maple Leaf Hotel. I can still remember the smell of beer and tobacco smoke. There used to be a lot of bars in Timmins in those days.

[@zaxxx1975]

Amazing story. Wonderful. Treat ppl kndly.

[@bradric5602]

Tom Conners=True example of real Canadian ICON

[@Pig-hx5dt]

Stompin Tom used to work at my dads childhood farm, my dad has a signed board from him

[@PammyF]

FANTASTIC! I am SO glad I listened to this.

[@darrenaucoin7339]

PammyF P

[@randallgrant6175]

Same here!

[@dougnicholls6120]

PammyF h

[@terryayerst7306]

PammyF j.l

[@darrenmisick3493]

this was really nice to listen to.

[@owatajrkiam]

Gord Downie and Tom Connors.....two Canadian icons. Stompin' Tom Connors was the first entertainer i ever saw. In the Fort Frances, Ont. arena in the early 70's and it was a packed house. R.I.P Tom!!!!

[@stevenblackwell9684]

I was at his celebration of life in Peterborough that year remember it very well and Mister Gord we had family members of the concert but we travel and we Rodeo but that last concert all of us gathered in a bar and and ask them politely to put it on there was many of us so they had no choice true Canadians much more so than our government

[@FreedomFighter-cr5xg]

Gord Downie was nothing compared to Stompin Tom .. shame on you for comparing that do nothing loser Downie to Stompin Tom .. it's idiots like you that makes a mockery of what Canada is all about .. you dumb ass .. Downie was nothing but crap that only the losers of Toronto thought he was great .. Toronto sucks

[@Davessimplevideos]

Thank you my friend thank you so much for posting, this brought a tear to my eye.

[@SteveWallsable]

You're Welcome! :) Glad You Enjoyed it!

[@kylefiske2446]

That's awesome--thanks for posting.

[@Davessimplevideos]

Thank you so much for this.

[@robertparsons5295]

I was in Timmins the night the Maple Leaf burned down. Sad.

[@0017Bulldog]

That was awesome.

[@denisgoguen9823]

Great story

[@timmyasikin4177]

Awesome

[@danplanck2896]

Awesome!

[@696969640]

my grandfather would cut toms hair when he was a boy in Tignish pei

[@scottmacpherson2352]

Makes me feel proud to be Canadian

[@mattelderca]

If'n ya got the guts, to have nuth'n, ya can have it all!

[@amosspeight8941]

He was from Sussex New Brunswick buddy

[@sylvia106]

Says he grew up in Prince Edward Island…

[@denisenulliayuk2516]

❤❤ cool my mom was pregnant with my sister ❤❤❤

[@terryayerst7306]

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[@terryayerst7306]

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[@terryayerst7306]

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