Vic Mullen

Melvin Victor (Vic) Mullen (born January 28, 1933) is a multi-instrumentalist, television host, and teacher born in Woodstock, Nova Scotia. He is one of the earliest Canadian Bluegrass performers, has appeared numerous times on CBC programming, and has toured across Canada.

Mullen was music director on radio and television programs in addition to his work as A&R representative for Rodeo Records for a period of time in the 1960s. Later, in the 1950s Mullen gained experience working with Charley Bailey, Ken MacKenzie, Kidd Baker, The Birch Mountain Boys also toured and released recordings with fellow Nova Scotian, Angus Walker during the early 1960s. Mullen became an A&R representative for Rodeo Records during the mid 1960s During this time, he released recordings under his own name, such as "Mr. Country Strings" in 1964 and "Swingin' Fiddle" & "Vic Mullen's Country Time Jamboree" in 1966. Mullen also played various instruments on numerous entertainers' songs such as Fred Mckenna and the Boutilier Brothers, in addition to production roles for Rodeo Records during this period.

Appearances on radio and television

Mullen made a substantial number of appearances on notable television programming in Canada in different roles throughout the 1960s and 1970s. In Halifax, he headed the house band "The Countrymen" on CJCH/TV with Walker, Ross Broughm, Chuck Lohnes and George Beck. Mullen "was seen nationally" and others until the show's cancellation in 1969. on CBC's Countrytime filmed in Dartmouth, NS. He also worked closely with Myrna Lorrie on the program in addition to an album titled "It's Countrytime" for MCA Records. Mullen, The Hickorys and Lorrie also toured with Family Brown in Ontario in 1971 and made other appearances with them afterwards. He also started his own record label "Jay-Vee" in the late 1980s. Mullen taught music during this period and continued his appearances at festivals during the summer. He retired in 1997 but continued to "teach music and occasionally perform." Part of his legacy includes helping to start the careers of many local entertainers "on his weekly stage shows." In 2001, Mullen was inducted into The Nova Scotia Hall of Fame.