GospelMattersBand

Lyoness Woodstock

Lyoness Woodstock’s love affair with music began at an early age. His parents presented him with his
first acoustic guitar on his13th birthday and he’s never looked back. Originally from a farm in Quebec,
country music was a natural fit for Lyoness and he was drawn to the classic country music styles of artists like Merle Haggard, Ray Price and George Jones. With the encouragement of his parents, he soon formed a band (the Good Tymes) with his sister and some close friends. Before long the group was playing for private events, corporate functions, and Saturday night dance halls throughout the
Ottawa Valley and West Quebec. In 1976, with the new band Stetson, he and his sister hit the road full-time and toured much of Canada, appearing at major country music festivals, clubs and on television and live radio. Their 4 country music singles, What Are We Doing; The Wedding Pledge; Here We Go; and Please Come Back, recorded on the SNOCAN label charted on Canada’s national RPM country music chart and garnered nominations in the Big Country Music Awards in the Best New Artist and Best Duo/Group categories. During this time, Lyoness began to explore song writing,
drawing on personal experiences and telling stories of the common man. In time, home life beckoned and he and his sister returned home and began following other pursuits, along with continuing to write and to perform locally. Following the untimely death of his only son Cory, Lyoness’ song writing became an outlet that helped him navigate those dark days. His writing took on a new, country gospel focus and his live performances drew rave reviews from audiences.

Judy Woodstock

Judy Woodstock began singing on stage when she was just 13 years old. In 1976, Lyoness and Judy Woodstock, along with new band Stetson, hit the road fulltime and toured much of Canada, appearing at major country music festivals and country music clubs from Nova Scotia to askatchewan. Moving into the recording studio was a natural progression and they recorded 4 country music singles on the SNOCAN label. Their first single, penned by Judy, entitled What Are We Doing, garnered 2 nominations in the Big Country Music Awards in thes Best New Artist and the
Best Duo/Group categories. The Wedding Pledge written by Neville Wells and 2 Terry Carisse/Bruce Rawlins songs, Here We Go and Please Come Back followed and continued the group’s steady climb up Canada’s national RPM country music chart. When tour schedules brought them home to the Ottawa-Valley, Judy also did some studio work as a back-up vocalist for other Ottawa Valley artists. Judy was honoured to join Terry Carisse on two duets on his acclaimed A Gospel Gathering album released in 1984. In time, home life beckoned and the brother and sister team decided to disband the group and focus on performing as a duo in their native Ottawa Valley and developing careers
outside of music. Their country music performances at local clubs, fundraisers and special events continued and eventually led to the creation of the Gospel Matters Band. Judy’s love of singing has never faltered and the Gospel Matters Band provides an opportunity for her to use God’s gift to share the inspirational messages of country gospel music with audiences throughout the Ottawa
Valley.

Wilf Arsenault

JWilf Arsenault was born in the little town of Egmont Bay, Prince Edward Island in the mid-1930's and became interested in guitar and country music early in life, listening to CJRW Summerside and WWVA Wheeling, West Virginia. Radio was the big thing then and, with the help of his parish priest, Father Charles, Wilf even pressed a little record that was played on the radio in his local community. Wilf worked church suppers, square dances and jamborees in his home area throughout his teens and moved to Ottawa in the Fall of 1960. After meeting country artist Ralph Carlson, Wilf began working in the Ottawa area, playing the old Chamberland Hotel in Aymer, Quebec where he backed Hugh Scott for a number of years and recorded two albums with Hugh. He also played guitar with a number of Pop bands such as the Len Weeks Orchestra. Wilf is one of the few country guitarists who can play Jazz and Big Band with the best of them. There probably is not an Ottawa Valley singer
that Wilf hasn’t worked with at some time in his long career. As well, he has played guitar behind
some of the “classic country” artists such as Doc Williams, Dave Dudley, Mac Wiseman and Hal
Lone Pine and has recorded on the Rodeo, Melbourne and Snocan labels. In previous years, he worked extensively with Bob Sally and Good Tyme Country and, in 1986, joined Ralph Carlson
& Country Mile. When Country Mile disbanded in 1998, Wilf joined with Ralph and Doug Sinclair to
form W.R.D., a strong traditional country trio conceived by Shirley Sinclair. Ralph passed away
in October 2002, but W.R.D. continues to play regular dates at Legions and other venues in and
around Ottawa Valley.

Roger Heroux

Although Roger Heroux born in Ottawa he spent his childhood in the Bay of Quinte, now known as
QuinteWest. Receiving a bass guitar for his sixteenth birthday, he no longer needed to share his sister Mariannes‘ Gibson flat top. Joined a band in grade school (have newspaper clipping). Was part of St. Mary’s Church folk group where he met his first love, singer musician, Cindy Davis (Cindy &
Heather Davis, Brady Aubin, Tom on organ) the band Scorpio that were guests on Max Keepings
CJOH TV Show New Faces in 1975. In 1976 moved to Ottawa to perform with Pauline & Todd Noland - OVCM hall of fame. Was member of Silver Spur Rebels, toured Eastern Canada with Three Lane Highway, Paul Gurry, Ranchmen, (Phils Entertainment) Ralph Carlson and Country Mile, Valley Legend Show and OVCM Hall of Fame band 1987- 2011. Studio and recordings, Pauline & Todd, Paul
Gurry, Doogie Trineer, Ralph Carlson live in Smiths Falls with George Jones, CJET classic radio
show with Howard & Ralph.