Page 36 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 114

36 Issue #114 July 2022
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By: Molly Kett
with Sports Energy
Featuring:
Ron Lamarche
By Molly Kett
ocal musician Ron Lamarche is
La Cornwall Native raised in the
East end around Mattice Park. He
graduated from St Lawrence College
and spent the next over 40 years in
the high-tech industry, living and
working in Montreal, Vancouver,
Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa.
Two years ago, Lamarche retired
and moved back to Summerstown,
where he currently plays in the band
Fork in the Road with his bandmate
Al Wagar, who you learned about in
our last issue of Sports Energy.
Like most musicians, Lamarche
has had a passion for music for as
long as he can remember.
“I had a passion and an ear for
music when I was young but could
not afford a guitar. So, at the age
of 15, I went to cadet camp, got
my long hair all cut off, and came
back six weeks later after being paid
$100.00, bought my first guitar at
Melody music and never looked
back,” said Lamarche. “I would
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go to the local library and check
out records, classical guitar, Chet
Atkins, Bob Dylan, and learn by ear,
or just listen to the radio and play
along.”
From there, Lamarche spent some
time trying to learn his own sound.
“My first preference was classical
guitar, but I also really liked playing
electric rock, acoustic ballads, and
everything else that was on the
radio. I studied classical guitar at
McGill in Montreal at one point
and in Ottawa, but I always would
keep going back to the acoustic and
electric guitar world simply because
there was so much great music to
play,” said Lamarche. “I played
with Sledge Rock Group when I was
still in Cornwall, then Y & R, East/
West Connection and Guns, a GNR Photo Submitted
tribute band when I was in Ottawa,
just to name a few.”
As for how he connected with
bandmate Al Wagar, the connection
goes way back. “Since Al is the main singer “Come out and see us play. I’ve
with his great range and the always found over the years if you
“Al Wagar and I grew up together rhythm guitarist, I add colour by forget your words on stage just look
in the same neighbourhood and we harmonizing when it’s called for. I out into the audience for a cue. You
decided to get together a little over also add colour with guitar solos, are guaranteed to find someone who
a year ago and jam while Covid was bottleneck slides, and Mandolin. knows all the words to whatever
going on. We quickly realized that I also improvise with Flute and you’re singing,” said Lamarche.
our talents meshed well and that we Harmonica when it’s called for,”
As for what’s next, Lamarche
had the same tastes in music and said Lamarche. “The best part of hopes to continue playing with Fork
could put sets together very quickly. being in a band is the sheer joy of in the Road for as long as he can.
So, we formed Fork in the Road and playing music and watching people
began playing locally last summer. have a great time.” “I’m very fortunate to have
We’ve played over twenty gigs Fork in the Road is playing next found a band like ours where our
since then,” said Lamarche. at Arts in the Park on July 12th at 7 personalities and musical tastes
Lamarche says his role in the band p.m. and Ribfest on Saturday, July mesh so well together,” said
is to add colour. 23rd at 1:30 p.m. Lamarche. “We are having the time
of our lives playing together.”