Bigger than Elvis: Rick Mercer praises Wonderful Grand Band in q interview

Wonderful Grand Band gave lots of inspiration to a young Rick Mercer, the comedian says, and helped pave the way for his own life in comedy.

Mercer says his decades-long career was made possible by the group, which was an institution in Newfoundland and Labrador life when he was a child.

"What they taught me was, that I could have a career in comedy," Mercer told CBC Radio's q.

"You could have a creative life, and you could do it in your own backyard. And you could create material about where you're from. And that was my dream."

Mercer spoke to q for an interview that will be aired Tuesday.

The Newfoundland comedian — and star of the Rick Mercer Report — said Wonderful Grand Band was the biggest act in the province during his youth.

The music-and-comedy group formed in 1978, nine years after Mercer was born. Over the years, it featured Ron Hynes, Sandy Morris, Tommy Sexton and Greg Malone.

Wonderful Grand Band had its own weekly half-hour television variety show, produced in Newfoundland and Labrador and aired nationally on CBC between 1980 and 1983.

The band released two albums, in 1978 and 1983. Both included the now-unforgettable Newfoundland song Sonny's Dream.

"They were the biggest influence in my life, and they had a huge impact on everyone of my generation in Newfoundland," he said. "It's hard to describe to people who aren't from Newfoundland how big this band was."

Mercer cracked that if Elvis Presley toured in Newfoundland, he'd be forced to open for Wonderful Grand Band.

You can catchCBC Radio q's interview with Rick Mercer on Tueday, at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. NT.