Wayne realized the waves gave him a sense of musical meter and he found his rhythm from the old rocking chair in his house.

Wayne Chaulk is a man with a burden we’d all like to have – too much talent. His head is chinched full of words that keep coming out in the nicest way. I mean, does it get any better than this:

“Some go to where the buildings reach to meet the clouds
Where warm and gentle people turn to swarming faceless crowds
So I’ll do without their riches, glamour and the noise
Stay and take my chances with these saltwater joys”

Wayne’s environment blessed him from day one. He was born and grew up down by the water. He still lives within clear sight of a splendid array of saltwater joys. From the Chaulk household in Charlottetown, Bonavista Bay, the ocean can be seen in all its splendor – one day covered in fog, the next day sparkling like diamonds in the sunshine.

As a young man Wayne realized there was a mysterious movement to the sea and in that mystery found a musical metre for his works. Rhythm and timing come from such unlikely objects as rocking chairs and motor boats.

Luckily Wayne had a father who played guitar and sang cowboy songs. Being intrigued by the guitar, Wayne saved his pennies over three years and bought himself an authentic Roy Smeck guitar for $35.00. Wayne thrilled himself by learning chords on his new found friend. To his amazement the fingers on one hand obediently followed those on his other hand and he was able to play his first chords before long.

Hand in hand with his love of music Wayne continued his lifetime romp with nature. Even his grandmother, who was a music teacher, could not convince him to give up his playground for music lessons. Instead he gathered the music of nature inside him, a music which later found its place in Wayne’s beloved “Saltwater Joys”.

“I was born down by the water
It’s here I’m going to stay
…..
Kicking leaves that fall around me
Watching sunset paint the hills
The ocean smells are perfume to my soul”

Other influences include the likes of Uncle Elias Penney – a local Red Skelton character – who was both a yarn spinner and a public performer via the old fashioned concert. Observing Uncle Elias taught Wayne the power of public performance. Recalling a hall full of “sweating humanity”. Wayne was duly impressed by the artistry of the performer whose antics drew an audience which was literally chinched into the old Orange Lodge.

In his late teenage years Wayne took off for university and followed the usual rock band circuit. After serving his stint as a bass player, Wayne found his ultimate love in writing and performing original Newfoundland songs with a traditional feel. Having finished university and taken a job as a teacher in Glovertown, Wayne continued his calling to write and perform original music.

Enter fellow teacher Ray Johnson in the early eighties. A great accordion player with a died in-the-wool love of traditional music, Ray took up the torch with Wayne and practice sessions began at the school lunch room. Shortly after, Kevin Blackmore moved to town. Already a well known comedian as one half of the Free Beer act, Kevin joined the Other Fellers on a musical excursion that has lasted eighteen years.

Wayne Chaulk has now developed into a brilliant songwriter whose output has been prodigious. His talent is touching the human heart with real emotion. Those who live away from Newfoundland break down during concerts and fly back home on the wings of Wayne’s artistry that has burned itself into the consciousness of the Newfoundland soul.

For Buddy Wasisname and The Other Fellers fans Wayne Chaulk remains a very deep well of musical delight.