By Ed Stozek
For the Herald
Elmer Zalischuk started his musical journey by learning to play the guitar when he was 18 years old. He later took fiddle lessons from Edward Lytwyn and Francis “Fiddling Red” Sabiston. Elmer noted that Fiddling Red taught him some of the tricks of the trade including playing “The Orange Blossom Special.”
In 1957 Elmer boarded the train and with 14 other locals left Winnipegosis to seek employment at Churchill. He initially worked as a carpenter renovating the theatre and then he helped to build a bowling alley. In 1959 he gained employment with the National Harbours Board. His interest in the electrical department led him to become an electrician, a job that he worked at until 1972. Since Elmer was a seasonal employee he came back home every year from November to April and helped his brother operate a garage business. During his years of working with the Harbours Board, Elmer only had to twice stay for the whole year at Churchill.
Playing music has always been an important part of Elmer’s life. Shortly after arriving at Churchill he began “jamming” with Edward and Josey Lytwyn. They formed a band and played together at various social functions. Elmer ordered a new fiddle from the Eaton’s mail order catalogue and in 1961 teamed up with Bobby Demeulles, Danny Demeulles and Josey Lytwyn.
In 1962 the owner of the Churchill Hotel hired the band to play from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. They were the first band to provide live music at the establishment. The hotel was divided into two beverage rooms and had a small stage area. One side of the room was designated for men only and the other side accommodated both women and men. Men couldn’t sit on the women’s side unless they had a female escort.
When provincial hotel liquor laws changed the room dividers were taken down to make one big beverage room. The hotel was always packed on the nights when there was live entertainment. Patrons lined up and waited for a table to open up and a chance to sit down, have a drink and dance to the music of the “hotel band.”
The CHGH-TV station affiliated with CBC at Churchill went on the air in 1964. The hotel band accepted the invitation to do live performances every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for a new half-hour show, Country Caravan.
Up to this time the band never had a formal name. Five minutes before air time someone suggested the name, the Rhythmakers. The name stuck. After playing at the television studio they had to pack up their equipment and rush over to the Churchill Hotel and set up to entertain at 9 p.m.
The Rhythmakers also played at the Hudson Hotel and at various other social functions.
Located six miles from Churchill, the Strategic Air Command Training Base for American servicemen was also home to three night clubs, the Aurora, the Borealis and the Navy Club. Elmer remarked that at the formal dances the ladies wore long evening gowns and the servicemen were attired in dress uniforms.
“It was a very classy place to play at.”
When Elmer came home for the winter months he played with the Serenadors and filled in with other local bands including the Sedors, the Meadowlanders and Smiling Johnny. In 1982 the Original Polka Kings needed a guitar player for a wedding at Pine River. Elmer practiced a few tunes with the band right before the function started and ended up becoming a permanent member with the Original Polka Kings until 1987.
Currently, Elmer enjoys playing with the Prairie Dust band. Prior to COVID-19 they entertained at a variety of social functions including weekly performances at the local senior’s care homes.
Elmer also competed and did very well at various fiddling contests.
The love for music runs in Elmer’s family and started with his father playing the fiddle. Recently, most Thursday nights find Elmer and his son Michael spending quality time practicing a variety of fiddle tunes. Elmer’s grandsons are also learning to play the guitar and the fiddle.
The musical journey continues. “It’s that Orange Blossom Special rollin’ down the seaboard line.”
