King Ganam (country, polka)

Born Ameen Sied Ganam, King Ganam began his musical career at the age of nine, when he began learning the fiddle from old-time fiddlers and playing at dances in his hometown. In 1942, he formed Sons of the West in Edmonton, and went on to perform on CBC Radio's “Alberta Ranch House”, winning the 1950 World Open Western Band Competition in Vancouver. This led to a recording contract with RCA Victor and to the creation of Ganam's nickname “Canada's King of the Fiddle”. King Ganam is one of the original inductees to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, having also received the Saskatchewan Country Music Association's Legend and Legacy Award in 1990. King Ganam passed away on April 26, 1994 at the age of 78.