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Dennis “Little Dennis” Skinner - Toronto

 

Dennis became a VRCA member in 2014 and was a recipient of a VRCA Lifetime achievement award in Atlanta 2013. A frequent supporter of VRCA events over the years, Dennis is originally from Whitfield Town in Jamaica. His early musical influences came from listening to the sound systems of the neighborhood. These included Coxsone Downbeat, King Edwards, Duke Reid and Doc’s Thunderstorm  - all stalwarts in the sound system business.

He migrated to Canada in 1972 taking his prized collection of records with him. His passion is for soul music and he has been on many sojourns inside and outside of Canada seeking new gems to add to his collection. On the trips he has encountered and became friends with some stalwarts in the collecting fraternity including the late Spencer Tracy, Raphael Grant, Paul Hutton and Norman “Buzz” Fortella.

A solid supporter and now extremely dependable member of VRCA Dennis go about his VRCA business without fanfare.

Clifford “Cliffy” Walsh - Toronto - Director

 

Clifford “ Cliffy” Walsh, they call him the “record chef” is our newest member having joined the organization in 2015. Growing up in Greenwich Farm, Kingston Jamaica his father being the owner of a small sound system influenced his introduction into the world of music. Cliffy would often accompany him to play at small parties in their area in the late 1960’s to early 1970’s.

Migrating to Canada in 1980 Clifford took his small vinyl collection with him (albeit with nothing to play them on). While in Canada he made contact with Winston"Bobby" Daley an older associate from Greenwich Farm and ardent vinyl record collector living in Detroit. On weekends Clifford often made trips to Detroit to hang out but often would end up in the kitchen whilst Bobby and his friends went record hunting expeditions. On their return he would receive whatever ”brukings” (Jamaican slang for extras) Bobby and his friends could spare him.  For “Cliffy” life as a real collector had begun.

He names Van McCoy as one of his favorite artiste.

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