A Man Outstanding In His Field

A Man Outstanding In His Field

Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – Oct 11, 2026

On this Thanksgiving weekend in Canada it makes only sense to recognize a singer/songwriter who paid tribute to the farmers who spend time in the fields nurturing and harvesting their crops.

This Canadian icon is an accomplished guitarist, pianist and harmonica player who, in addition to winning 11 Juno Awards throughout the 70s and 80s, became a Member of the Order of Canada 1993.

In 1973, our featured artist was aided by an Ottawa Valley country DJ Ted Daigle who decided to play the B-side of one of the artist’s singles simply because he didn’t care for the A-side. The song gained massive momentum from radio DJs and jukeboxes across Canada, ultimately peaking in the Top 10 and receiving multiple Juno Awards.

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The song was written in the middle of Manhattan while the artist was recording his 1973 self-titled second album. He was inspired by his New York City friends who had never left the city and did not even know what a wheat stalk looked like.

Seeing apples and broccoli imprisoned in plastic at a local deli sparked his realization about how far removed city dwellers are from where their food actually comes from.

Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, Murray McLauchlin immigrated to Canada with his family when he was five years old. He grew up in suburban Toronto. At 17, he began playing at coffeehouses in Toronto’s Yorkville area and later attended Central Tech as an art student before deciding to become a full-time musician.

Like the fun definition of a farmer, McLauchlin was a man who was outstanding in his field. A man who gave us the tribute tune, “The Farmer’s Song,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.

YouTube video of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTMvtII8Elk

This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.