Happy Tracks

Happy Tracks was Big Jim Allison's own band, formed over the summer of 1974 although he didn't sing leads, leaving that to a chap from London, Ontario. Jim liked to sing, but was shy because of his size.

Jim was a very good mandolin and guitar player, but could also play bass. Ken Johnson started out playing mandolin, guitar, bass, and then the pedal steel guitar. The first time Ken saw Happy Tracks play was at The Prince Edward bar in Brantford and he was impressed on how tight they were. Ken played with the band for four or five gigs, a couple in Brantford, Collingwood and Guelph. (Ken had his own band as well, The Country Squires) The bass player was Guy Migneault, (born Oct 28 1943 – died 2015) while the drummer was also from London. Ken would fill in when someone couldn’t make it. 

Jim's wife Marlene came to all of Jim’s shows, even when he played for 6 days straight. They were in love and hated to be apart. Ken Johnson also knew Terry Sumsion, whom he met at the Paris Inn during the early 70’s, and then Terry introduced him to bass player Jack Lewis, and the two became great friends and remained so. 

A huge thank you to Jack Wallace of Brantford for the above picture of Happy Tracks. Of course Jim Allison is on the far left, then we have Tom Destry (drums, vocals), Ted Brown (guitar, vocals) on the running board, and Guy Migneault (bass). This photo was taken in the fall of 1974 before Jim had the label logo finalized, as the totem-pole of the Thunder Bird is hand-drawn. Jim used this same locale to shoot the cover for Dusty Road's album in the summer of 1976. This location was Bill Johnson's place at 38 King Street in East Burford. (This Bill was not related to Ken Johnson's family)  

Happy Tracks fell apart when Tom Destry quit to go solo at the end of '75, and Jim just found himself too busy running the label. As a band Happy Tracks issued one single, 'Here Comes The Night Again' backed with 'Inflation Blues.' 

The author has released this music on two separate CDs' entitled 'Thunderbird Recordings - The Singles - 1975 - 1978 - A Sides.' The second volume will be called 'Thunderbird Recordings - The Singles - 1975 - 1978 - B Sides.' 

Jim's first band was called The Canadian Rhythmaires, and featured Gary Austin. Thanks to Gary, we have two CD's of that band, archived from 1972 - 1973. 

Discography -    The Canadian Rhythmaires 1st CD

                         The Canadian Rhythmaires 2nd CD

Ken Johnson was a great supporter of Thom Ryerson's Thunderbird research project, and also participated in the very first Thunderbird Jamboree in November of 2017. Sadly, Ken passed away on May 31st 2018 at the age of 72.