Mickey Andrews - Canadian Country Music Legend

I love shootin’ the shit with old men and women, at least those with good memories. Once they get going and they’re in “stream of consciousness mode”, there’s no stopping them. The stories and names that crossed their paths flow like water.

Born in New Waterford Nova Scotia on Cape Breton Island, multi-instrumentalist Mickey Andrews, is one of my favourite old guys. Don’t feel bad if you don’t recognize his name. For over 6 decades, he’s made a hell of a good living as one of the premier country music musicians while somehow, as only a Canadian musician can do, flying under the radar.

I’m talking hit records, many thousands of album sales, international radio air play resulting in huge royalty checks (paid for a few Hawaiian holidays), numerous appearances at Massey Hall, production credits (not advertised) on some of Stompin’ Tom’s biggest hits, recognizable steel guitar parts laid down on hit records and more.

Oh, one more talent that you might not know about…he’s a brilliant painter.

Today, Mickey is 82 , lives in Toronto and continues to perform with his musical partner, Mary McIntyre (Maritime fiddle fans will recognize her as Sandy’s sister). Mary is a punster of the highest level and is also a virtuoso on many instruments. If I knew her phone number, I’d offer to write her biography. To this day she’s freuently invited to join fiddle icon, Ashley Dwayne MacIsaac on his tours. Keeping up to him is no easy feat.

Mickey has had some health issues, 4 stints in his heart and more, but he’s never smoked or drank (“I didn’t like the taste”) so his brain is working just fine.

I call him from time to time. Our conversations are not short but when I hang up, I’ve learned a lot about the business of music.

Dianne Leigh (Zloty) is one name that popped out of his mouth early in our conversation. Of course Mickey played steel guitar with her. Who hasn’t he accompanied?

Country music, particularly the Canadian variety, was not on the radio much when Dianne was in her prime but according to Mickey, she was the “queen of Canadian country music”. In the 1960s and 70s she was known for her voice. He told me she even played drums for Patsy Cline. Her celebrity really took off when it was announced that she would be the very first person to win a Juno Award in 1970.

I spoke to her at length a few months ago. Read some of her story in this post from February 7, 2024.

More on Mickey and much more on Mary McIntyre in the weeks to come.