Elmer Tippe

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Inducted in 2002

At the age of eight, Elmer Tippe began playing banjo and fiddle in Alberta. At the age of 15, Tippe started entertaining professionally, playing dances up and down British Columbia’s Fraser Valley with his two older brothers, forming Ray’s Harmony Five. The group came to a tragic end in 1955 when his brother Clarence was killed by a drunk driver. Two years later, Elmer and his brother Ray formed The Pine Mountain Boys and landed a job performing with the Royal Canadian tours.

For more than 50 years, as a performer/disc jockey, however, Tippe was the force behind traditional country music and Western Swing. He started his broadcasting career in Langley, BC on CKWX Supercountry radio in 1975 on the all-nighter shift, but quickly moved to the Mid-Day slot where he stayed for 25 years. He recorded several albums (Cynda Records) and charted three singles on the RPM charts during the 70’s.

“The Elmer Tippe Show” was a destination for listeners each day. Known for its down to earth style, Tippe became a local superstar after developing fan favourites such as star phone ins from Nashville, as well as Elmer’s Choice, a special song chosen by Tippe each day.