Earl (Carlyle) Heywood was a country singer-songwriter, guitarist, and broadcaster known as ‘Canada’s No. 1 Cowboy Singer.’ He lived and worked in Wingham.
Born on a farm outside Exeter, Ontario, Heywood learned guitar at age 10. He began his career playing tenor euphonium with the Exeter Brass Band. He served in the army during World War II and, in 1941, became well known for singing his own ‘Living in the Army’ as the theme of a radio show on CFCO, Chatham, Ontario.
In 1942, he joined CKNX Radio in Wingham, Ontario and remained at that station as a singer and announcer for more than 40 years, performing for almost 20 years on the weekly CKNX Barn Dance.