~ Peter Styles' Biography ~
His talent as a singer songwriter was recognized a year later, in 1976, by Bill Smith, a record producer of the times, who produced Peter's first 45 RPM Single, "One Guy You Won't Hurt," at Kinck Sound in Toronto. For an objective opinion he could respect, Peter took tapes of the unfinished daily takes of his song to Gord Ambrose at C.F.G.M. Radio (Toronto's #1 Country station at the time), who at the time was one of the top Country Program Directors in Canada. Gord listened to the tape and informed Peter that when the song was ready he would personally see it got the attention it deserved. This sounded like a vague promise to Peter, but when the 45 was finally released, Peter's persistance and trust paid off in the form of a spot on the playlist. This also led Peter to make several appearances on the live syndicated radio show, "Opry North," the premier Country show in Canada. This was a Canadian version of the Grand Ole Opry, but for Canadian Entertainers and musicians.
Peter did not forget how he had to work his way up, from amateur status to professional, and has since hosted his own amateur shows which in the past have highlighted some of the brightest names on the Canadian Country Circuit. Many are the names who in the infancy of their careers appeared on stage with Peter Styles, some of them for the first time. Debby Bayshaw, Steve Pitico, Margo Dennison to name just a few.
Peter was the leader of the Toronto-based band "Stetson," which in 1985 was the house band at the Matador After Hours Club, where he jammed with such notable performers as Carrol Baker, The Midnight Rodeo Band, Harold MacEntyre, Phil Lloyd & Cement City Stompers. Members of the "Stetson" band varied over the years, and included such notable musical talents as Wiz Feinberg, Dennis Brunett, Bob Johnston, Norma Gayle, Henry Poswistak, Russell Noseworthy, Sebastian Agnello, Derek Pilgrim, Trevor Huggit, Harry Horne, Jean Legendre, Bob Wilburn, Lance Bennett, and many others.
Peter founded Stypro Records & Promotions, Canada, in 1985. It is a company dedicated to the development and promotion of Canadian talent, including the personal training of prospective Karaoke Hosts.
Peter did a stint as Host and Producer of McLean Hunter's Country Time show, on Parkdale cable T.V. Here he met and interviewed some of the most popular names on the country circuit. Terry Sumsion, Eddy Eastman, Scotty Wells, Rowan & Mary, Reg Benoit, Bob "Wiz" Feinberg, and Derek Pilgrim, all were participants in the Country Time Show. During this time Peter established himself also as a writer of articles on country music appearing in the Toronto Sun and other local Newspapers.
From this show, grew the "Family Matinee At The Matador" show, which highlighted up and coming Stars, and Bands of the time. Peter found that due to Programming Schedules, it was convenient, through the courtesy of Matador Owner Anne Dunn to utilize the stage there as a set on which to interview guests on video tape for later editing. Once they found out how easy this type of remote was, Ms Dunn was approached by Cal White, Director of Country Time, to Video Tape full Family Jam Sessions on Sunday Afternoons. This too became a successful staple of McLean Hunter Broadcasting as produced by Anne Dunn, and directed by Cal White.
Peter credits his education in the field of music and entertainment to the people with whom he surrounded himself. He admits a debt of gratitude to performers such as Sam ( Briggs ) Mcgee, who taught him about the blend of music and entertainment, the late Rick Curtis who gave Peter lessons in Rhythm Guitar, and never once cringed on stage, Dennis ( Wipeout ) Brunett, who not only stood by Peter for eight years, but later was responsible for much of his studio experience. His driving percussion kept Peter going through several different band inversions.
In 1998, Peter was diagnosed as suffering with Distemic Lupus Erythamatosis, ( D. L. E. ), a rare blood disease which in his case affects the skin in the form of a rash on the face, arms and shoulders. He suffered a temporary bout of depression, through which he was sustained by the love and support of his fans, friends and family. This disease, thanks to those wonderful people, has proven only a minor set back for Peter, and he has offered support and advice for other sufferers of D. L. E.
During 2004 Peter got to know the love of his life, Darlene, and on August 31, 2004, Peter Styles and Darlene Hall-Leger were married, in Las Vegas, NV.
It's said that into every life a little rain must fall. For Peter that took the form of a storm in 2010 when he awakened from a deep sleep, to find himself in a hospital room with several tubes entering and exiting his body having experienced a seizure, and a valve replacement heart surgery. Luckily enough, throughout the procedure, Peter had never regained consciousness!
Apparently due to the attentive care of his wife Darlene, the tremors he suffered in his sleep were recognized for what they were, and Darlene contacted the appropriate medical assistance. Peter was transported to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto where he was diagnosed with a failing valve in his heart.
Peter survived this major trauma in his life and continued to work at the Gladstone Hotel until 2013 when he was informed that another procedure was necessary due to the history of failure of the particular type of valve used. Unfortunately, although he came through the procedure famously, the removal of the breathing tube caused permanent damage to his vocal chords, and necessitated his retirement from the industry upon which he had devoted his entire life.
*All Excerpts from Peter's 1989 Album "Easy To Love" on The Stypro Records Label. Bob Wilburn Producer. **Released on The Little Eva Records Label, 1976, Bill Smith Producer, ***Presently Pending Publication on The Stypro Records Label.
Used By Permission of the Author; Socan / BMI