Biography
Frank Maher (born Cornelius Francis Maher in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in 1934; died 2 March 2025) was a Canadian folk musician remembered for his work on the buttonbox (diatonic accordion) and as leader of the band Maher's Bahers. Maher received the 2002 Tradition Bearer Award from the Celtic Roots Festival in Goderich, Ont., and the 2003 St. John's Folk Arts Council Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2007 he received the Stompin' Tom Award, an award for Canadian East Coast musicians established in 1993.
Maher grew up in The Battery, a closely knit community hugging the east end of St. John's harbour. Armed with a harmonica, he busked as a youngster from a dory to American servicemen during the summers of WWII. He acquired a four-stop single row accordion during his late teens and was taught many tunes by his mother, Bridget Maher, and local accordion player Frank Stamp, who studied the playing of John Kimmel.
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The McNulty Family and the Flanagan Brothers were other early influences. During his time managing the Harbour Inn, Frank dispensed played music with the great Newfoundland musicians of the time including Emile Benoit, Rufus Guinchard, John White, Andy Oliver, Billy Boyles, Art Stoyles and international stars like Dolores Keane and Jackie Daly. He was part of several groups including the Quidi Vidi Minstrels and the Newfoundland Kitchen Band and was a tremendous source of music for the new generation of Newfoundland groups such as Figgy Duff, Red Island, Tickle Harbour, and Christina Smith and Jean Hewson and is an inspiration to today's fine accordion players such as Graham Wells and Dave Penny. After Figgy Duff broke up in 1993, Frank then played with the Plankerdown Band and the Planks for an additional year. For many years Maher played on Tuesdays at the Auntie Crae Food Shop and regularly at benefits and at Folk Night at the Ship Inn with the Auntie Crae Band, and occasionally with Mahers Bahers at mainland festivals. He remained in constant demand as a studio musician and has been recorded on over 35 albums.
In recognition of his significant contribution to Canadian culture, Maher received the 2002 Tradition Bearer Award from the Celtic Roots Festival in Goderich, Ont., and the 2003 St. John's Folk Arts Council Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2007 he received the Stompin' Tom Award, an award for East Coast musicians established in 1993.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.