Saying Goodbye to Ottawa Musician and Entertainer Mike O’Reilly
It's as if music, mischief, laughter and kindness were looking for somewhere to live and they found their dream home in Mike O'Reilly.
O’Reilly, the legendary Ottawa artist, musician and comedian passed away Wednesday after a battle with cancer. He was 76.
The legacy of Mike's talent and humour will live on in the memories of his friends, and his many international musical admirers.
"Great entertainment with great musicianship and singing. Not too many do it all," says Al Bragg, steel guitar player, and Mike’s long-time pal, bandmate.
But Mike did it all—for a lifetime—sharing songs and smiles like nobody else.
"My heart is very heavy right now because we’ve lost a great one," says Vince Brooks, lifelong friend and bandmate.
"So many memories. So many wonderful times with that guy and he’s gone," reminisces singer-songwriter, pal and bandmate, Les Emmerson.
Born in England to a Canadian World War II serviceman and local Devonshire girl, Mike was raised in Ottawa.
He studied at Glebe Collegiate and then earned a teaching degree at the University of Ottawa.
But the stage would become Mike’s classroom, where he gave a masterclass in the art of entertainment.
"Even though it’s a sad time, it’s making me smile just thinking about all those times on stage where he’s cracking jokes, belting out songs. He was a wonderful person," reflects celebrated Bluegrass fiddler, Ray Legere, from his home in New Brunswick.
"How sincere he was about trying to entertain people and make people really listen and enjoy it. He wanted everybody to go home happy and everybody did," says a smiling, and emotional, Les Emmerson.
O’Reilly was a world class, bluegrass performer, a festival favourite. He wrote more than 300 songs.
His work is celebrated by the industry’s greats.
"Mike really liked the music and worked at it," recollects Bluegrass banjo player, and long-time musical collaborator, Dick Smith of Virginia, USA.
"Goble said Mike was his favourite song writer and Pete Goble was one of the premier songwriters of Bluegrass. That’s saying something, in my opinion.”
O’Reilly collected, and brilliantly played, a variety of vintage musical instruments but most agree his best was the one he was gifted at birth.
"I would say that’s his number one attribute. Mike’s vocal, 'Wow,'" says Al Bragg.
Ray Legere wholeheartedly agrees.
"From the first time I heard his voice, that high tenor voice—it just knocked me out."
"He’d do this acapella thing and I thought holy smokes, what a voice. What a tenor. Haunting. People would just stop dead and say that’s coming out of that guy who was just so funny a couple of minutes ago? He was a complete entertainer," says Les Emmerson, shaking his head.
Mike O'Reilly of Ottawa was the frontman for The Radio Kings.
O’Reilly formed countless bands over the years. He was an incomparable frontman for Cody, The Radio Kings and Bolt Upright.
"He was the show and we were just the icing on the cake," laughs Brooks.
In Ottawa, we’ll forever remember Delmer and Cecil performing such classics as "Meadow Muffin Blues."
O’Reilly turned manure on your boots into a hilarious pasture party, with his foot-stomping musical treasure.
And those who treasured him will remember him in their own way; his wife Rose, his children Rylan and Devon, his mother Mary, and his legion of friends and fans.
Ray Legere, who played with O’Reilly for 30 years, will continue playing Mike’s vintage Martin guitars.
"We’ll keep his memory alive and we’ll keep smiling for him cause that’s the way he would want it," says Legere.
Al Bragg, proudly showing off his Radio Kings band jacket, sports bandmate Mike’s famed ten gallon hat.
"This is for you Mike!” he says, as he models it.
"At the end of the day I think anyone who knew him would say, 'Boy, I’m really glad I knew that person,'" says Brooks.
Garry Bitze, retired CTV (CJOH) producer knew O’Reilly well.
"I have never known a man with more friends, from more walks of life," said Bitze.
In Ottawa, we’ll forever remember Delmer and Cecil performing such classics as "Meadow Muffin Blues."
O’Reilly’s passing is deeply felt by all of them.
"My buddy," says a sad and loving, Les Emmerson.
"I’m so sorry for Rose and the family and everybody, but maybe we should all get together and sing some songs. That would be the best tribute I could imagine," Emmerson suggests.
In the future, when live music can be played and celebrated, those tunes, and melancholy riffs will play.
And in true O’Reilly style, there will be more laughter than tears.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.