Network: CTV Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1978 to 1979
Broadcast Medium: Television
Born in Campbellton, New Brunswick, Patsy Gallant was only three when she began singing (in French) with her three sisters at fairs and on radio and TV. The Gallant Singers moved with their family to Montreal when Patsy was ten, but it was not until 1967, when she was 17, that Patsy made her first solo recording.
This led to television appearances on the CBC, and commercial jingle work for such major clients as General Motors, Air Canada, Coca Cola and McDonalds. In 1973 she recorded an LP in Nashville for Columbia. Four years later she recorded what became her biggest hit in English, “From New York to L.A.”, which led to her being given her own CTV television series, The Patsy Gallant Show.
As far as the English language market was concerned, however, Patsy was something of a one-hit wonder, for her success with “From New York…” was never duplicated. Despite the inclusion of several name American guests, including Gloria Gaynor and Edwin Starr, and Canadian disco star Claudja Barry performing her hit “Boogie Woogie Dancing Shoes”, The Patsy Gallant Show was itself a one-year wonder. Produced in the studios of CTV affiliate CFTO-TV Toronto, the half-hour series ran on the Network on Thursdays at 7:30pm during the 1978-79 season.
The musical director for the series was trombonist Russ Little.
Written by Pip Wedge – February, 2003