St. Paul's Church unveils rare childhood recordings of Gordon Lightfoot singing Christmas carol
Parishioners at St. Paul's Church in Orillia, Ont. will be treated to rare audio recordings thought to be forever lost of Canadian music legend Gordon Lightfoot singing a Christmas carol as a child.
"It gave me goosebumps as soon as I heard it," admitted recording engineer Rob Currie.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Members of St. Paul's recently stumbled upon the treasured recorded songs sung by a young Lightfoot and brought them to Gravenhurst to be digitally remastered.
Rob Currie works on remastering the recently discovered Gordon Lightfoot childhood audio tracks in Orillia, Ont., on Thurs., Dec. 21, 2023. (CTV News/Ian Duffy)
Currie quickly got to work to remove the vinyl scratching and bring the youthful voice of a 12-year-old Lightfoot to life.
"I just happened to watch the Beatles documentary where they separated the piano from John Lennon's voice using AI, so I thought, hmm, that might work with this because the AI thought the noise was an instrument," Currie said.
The remastered version of this Austrian Christmas carol will be heard for the first time in its entirety on Christmas Eve at the church where Lightfoot sang as a young choir boy.
"The church is his family, so to be able to have a multigenerational music going on with Gordon still singing as part of the mix is just kind of what Christmas is all about," said Dan McCoy, St. Paul's music director.
Even after his passing, Gordon Lightfoot's influence continues to resonate with the next generation of choir members at St. Paul's, in the city where the musical icon's career took shape.
Gordon Lightfoot's picture in the 1956/57 yearbook. (Supplied)
"So interesting how someone who's so big came from here, grew up here, just like me. That's really cool," said Grade 9 student Selema Bauman.
"We're both people who love music, and I think that's why we're kind of the same," added Grade 2 student Gordie Gauldie.
"Just to hear what talent he had at such a young age, I really think, puts a feather in the cap of his whole career," Currie concluded.
The hope now is to locate and restore the original vinyl record, ensuring that Lightfoot's early recordings can be enjoyed by fans worldwide.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
NDP house leader says House dysfunction will be a factor in future confidence votes
NDP House leader Peter Julian says there's more his party wants to do in Parliament before the next election, but if the current dysfunction continues it will become a factor in how they vote on a confidence measure.
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
BREAKING
BREAKING Jury begins deliberations in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
The jury tasked with determining if Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard sexually assaulted a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago began deliberating Friday after nearly two weeks of testimony that saw the singer and his accuser give starkly different accounts of what happened.
BREAKING
BREAKING Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
Airlines' challenge of Canada's passenger protection rules rejected by Supreme Court
Canada's airlines have failed in their challenge of air passenger protection rules that the federal government implemented in 2019.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Kitchener
-
Impaired driver charged after car crashes in Kitchener home: WRPS
Waterloo Regional Police have laid charges after a car crashed into the side of a Kitchener home at 3:30 a.m.
-
'I want to know why you did it': DoorDash driver appears to spit in Ontario man's drink
A DoorDash driver who was caught on camera appearing to spit into an Ontario man’s drink has been removed from the platform, the food delivery company has confirmed.
-
Two separate crashes on Highway 401 in Puslinch, Ont. sends three people to hospital
Two serious crashes shut down Highway 401 early Friday morning in Puslinch, Ont.
London
-
Truck wedged beneath CN train bridge shutters road south of Komoka
Middlesex OPP have shuttered a road between Mount Brydges and Komoka today - Amiens Road is currently closed between Glendon Drive and Oriole Drive.
-
'Not a random incident': Police respond to stabbing at A.B. Lucas
According to police, officers responded to the 600 block of Tennent Avenue for a, "report of a possible stabbing" around 9 p.m. on Thursday.
-
Ahead of the Israel Hamas war's first anniversary, police increase patrols around places of worship
The London Police Service said that it’s stepping up police presence around Jewish and Muslim places of worship as the October 7 anniversary of the start of the Israel Hamas war draws near.
Windsor
-
London man sentenced in Windsor harassment case
A London, Ont. man, who pleaded guilty earlier this year in a harassment case, has been sentenced to two months in jail for criminal harassment of a Windsor, Ont. family.
-
Windsor police looking for witness of September collision involving pedestrian
The Windsor Police Service (WPS) are looking for a witness to a collision between a pedestrian and vehicle in September.
-
Windsor fire names new fire chief
Windsor fire has named its new fire chief, effective on Jan. 1, 2025.
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
-
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
-
Fines totalling $9,500 for hunting bear in northern Ont. near a garbage dump, other offences
An outfitter in Kenora, Ont., and two individuals have been fined a total of $9,500 for bear hunting offences, including abandoning a bear they shot and using it as bait to hunt another bear.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
-
Proof that cleared police of Thunder Bay man's throat injury comes out in the end
A suspect who accused Thunder Bay police of being responsible for his throat injury actually hurt himself when he swallowed a large amount of drugs.
-
Fines totalling $9,500 for hunting bear in northern Ont. near a garbage dump, other offences
An outfitter in Kenora, Ont., and two individuals have been fined a total of $9,500 for bear hunting offences, including abandoning a bear they shot and using it as bait to hunt another bear.
Ottawa
-
Language watchdog tells Gatineau, Que. cafe to write Instagram posts in French
The owner of a Gatineau, Que. café says it's 'silly' that Quebec's language watchdog is telling the business to write its Instagram posts in French.
-
A new distillery opens in eastern Ontario, and this is what they make
Raise your glass and make a toast to a new Distillery in eastern Ontario. Artist in Residence (AIR) Distillerie has launched in Hawkesbury. This is the second location for the company, who has an existing operation in Gatineau.
-
Rev. Bailey retires after 25 years at Parkdale United Church
After 25 years, Rev. Anthony Bailey has retired as the coordinating minister of Parkdale United Church. A farewell event to celebrate Rev. Bailey will be held on Saturday at Parkdale United Church on Parkdale Avenue.
Toronto
-
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
-
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
-
Toronto-area police prepare for Oct. 7 anniversary with command posts, increased officer presence
Police forces in the Toronto area have stepped up their presence in Jewish and Muslim communities as the one-year anniversary of the deadly Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel inches closer.
Montreal
-
2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
-
Suspect arrested after Valleyfield college closed due to police operation
Classes and campus activities at CEGEP de Valleyfield were cancelled Friday morning as a result of a police operation.
-
'We won't be reopening tomorrow morning': Montreal metro stations may be closed for weeks
Public transport users who regularly use Fabre, d'Iberville and Saint-Michel stations on the Montreal metro's blue line will have to be patient, as the emergency closure of the three stations announced on Thursday evening could stretch out over 'a few days, or even a few weeks.'
Atlantic
-
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
-
'Pattern' of violence, threats against federal fisheries officers in Maritimes: DFO
The federal Fisheries Department says it is concerned about a "pattern" of violence and threats toward its enforcement officers after two tense incidents off southwestern Nova Scotia last month.
-
Man charged for vandalism, theft at Fredericton library
A 31-year-old man is facing theft and break-in charges in connection to a vandalism incident at the Fredericton Public Library that caused tens of thousands of dollars of damages over the weekend.
Winnipeg
-
Teen boy dead after assault outside Manitoba home: RCMP
Police say a 16-year-old boy has died after an assault outside a northern Manitoba home.
-
Manitoba Tories calling for review of case of Jordyn Reimer
The Opposition Tories introduced a motion to get the justice system to take another look at the case of Jordyn Reimer.
-
'Very special to be home': Chantal Kreviazuk to play anniversary concert in Winnipeg
Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.
Calgary
-
Martha Hart speaks out against Netflix 'McMahon' docuseries, blames WWE for Calgary wrestler Owen Hart's death
Martha Hart, the widow of Calgary wrestler Owen Hart, is speaking out after the release of Netflix's 'Mr. McMahon' documentary series, which she says inaccurately portrays her husband's death as an accident.
-
2 Calgarians charged following seizure of stolen vehicles
Authorities say two Calgarians were arrested and charged in "a complex scheme" involving stolen vehicles.
-
Rural Albertans say they're penalized by high utility costs
Rural Albertans say they’re being penalized by high utility fees and some municipalities are asking the government to step in and equalize costs throughout the province.
Edmonton
-
Rescue crews on scene of trench collapse west of Edmonton in Parkland County
Rescue crews are on the scene of a person "involved in a collapsed trench" in the Duffield area, Parkland County Fire Services told CTV News Edmonton on Friday afternoon.
-
Several Alberta charter school lobbyists have ties to UCP government
Following the Alberta government’s recent announcement of capital funding to build charter and independent schools, the Investigative Journalism Foundation has found that several consultants with ties to the United Conservative Party (UCP) have been lobbying on behalf of charter schools and associated organizations over the past year.
-
Rural Albertans say they're penalized by high utility costs
Rural Albertans say they’re being penalized by high utility fees and some municipalities are asking the government to step in and equalize costs throughout the province.
Regina
-
Saskatchewan NDP proposes $58M in cuts as it lays out plan to pay for campaign promises
NDP Leader Carla Beck says she would cut $58 million in spending during her first year as premier should her party win the Saskatchewan election set for Oct. 28.
-
Sask. Party leader promises tax credit rise on first homes, permanent return of renovation credit
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe says if re-elected, his government would introduce a Saskatchewan Home Renovation Tax Credit aimed at making renovations more affordable.
-
First Nations leaders say Saskatchewan court workers sent home for orange shirts
Indigenous leaders say two staff at a Saskatchewan courthouse were told to go home and take off the orange shirts they wore for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police arrest homeless person at scene of encampment fire under University Bridge
Saskatoon police arrested a homeless person at the scene of an encampment underneath the University Bridge on Friday morning.
-
First Nations leaders say Saskatchewan court workers sent home for orange shirts
Indigenous leaders say two staff at a Saskatchewan courthouse were told to go home and take off the orange shirts they wore for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
-
Saskatchewan NDP proposes $58M in cuts as it lays out plan to pay for campaign promises
NDP Leader Carla Beck says she would cut $58 million in spending during her first year as premier should her party win the Saskatchewan election set for Oct. 28.
Vancouver
-
Eby vows to increase B.C. tax on empty homes under NDP government
NDP Leader David Eby is vowing to raise British Columbia's speculation and vacancy tax on empty homes if re-elected premier this month.
-
Woman charged with murder after East Vancouver stabbing
One day after a man was stabbed to death in East Vancouver, a 27-year-old woman has been charged with murder.
-
$260 charge for bent blinds 'gratuitous,' says Vancouver affordable housing tenant
A Vancouver tenant is at war with his former landlord over what he calls an exorbitant charge for bent blinds.
Vancouver Island
-
Eby vows to increase B.C. tax on empty homes under NDP government
NDP Leader David Eby is vowing to raise British Columbia's speculation and vacancy tax on empty homes if re-elected premier this month.
-
Leaders spread out around the province as week 2 of campaigning in B.C. continues
Politicians are continuing to promote their promises across British Columbia as the provincial election campaign nears its midway point.
-
1 dead, 2 rescued after floatplane crash in B.C.
One person is dead after a floatplane carrying three people crashed Wednesday evening in a remote inlet on British Columbia's central coast.
