In 1974, after many summer tours with Russ Gurr's Federal Grain Train show, followed by a year of exhibition shows for Treflan Chemicals, Bardine Productions of the USA, invited us to represent them in auditions for the NW USA Grandstand circuit. We did well, beating out many Nashville acts and the Bardines took over management of our American appearances. Through them we also obtained William Morris Agency representation. We immediately told the Bardines that we planned to increase the size of the band to come up with a bigger show, but they returned with a flurry of personal letters and calls insisting that the act stay as a trio. Among the reasons they cited was the problem of obtaining work visas and clearances with the American Musician's Union, as well as the danger of bringing in a different act from that seen by the Fair Boards who had booked us. We had to prove to the unions that we were offering an act that was totally unique and different from anything American bands could offer. A singing Chinese girl drummer and recording / television performer seemed to fit the bill and we got our visas.

Cindy and Charlie Bardine were show business veterans who had worked the closing days of vaudeville and who had been immersed in all facets of show business throughout the 20th Century. They took us under their wing and offered invaluable show biz advice. They coached us in everything from stage entrances/exits and how to milk applause and encores, to costumes, and to surviving on the road as a family unit . . . and how to depend on and look to your mate for support and friendship in the crazy and often stressful and lonely life "on the road."

Our summer tour of '74 took us all over the American North West, where we were billed as the Bardine's feature act, Sue-On and the Western Union from Canada. We worked mainly evening grandstand shows at county and state fairs, and rodeos. Although we worked as a trio, with Sue-On on drums, Bill on guitar, and Barry Forman on bass and fiddle, we sometimes hired a local drummer to sit in on drums for part of the show so that Sue-On could work the crowd -- moving and dancing all over the huge stages with a hand mike. Other performers on the bill included country singers Jeannie C. Riley, Charlie Louvin and Hee-Haw's Archie Campbell, as well as many international variety/ vaudeville acts. We revelled in the many backstage stories that the other entertainers shared: tales of the Grand Ole Opry, the escapades of the early country stars, the excitement of the Bob Hope military tours, the glamour of the Ed Sullivan performances, the glitz of Vegas, and the naughtiness of the Marx Brothers and other experiences in the last days of vaudeville, etc.

Roads to Home ~ New Year's Eve Dance: CFB Shilo ~ One of Many Winnipeg Gigs

Following our return from the summer tour we returned to a full slate of appearances at halls, gyms, arenas, concert halls, universities, festivals, military bases and bars. We even did northern tours where we played the Trappers Festival at The Pas and flew into isolated Indian Reserves to perform in their school auditoriums. Our TV show carried on but we now worked as a trio with regular appearances by guest artists. Although we were now touring on our own, Russ Gurr gave us a call to back him on two television specials.