Their 1949 debut on Tanza, ‘Maple On The Hill’ – originally a “hillbilly” hit for USA act Zeke and Wade – became a standard for country performers, especially in the South Island. For decades, at amateur concerts and talent shows, it was almost compulsory for young artists to perform a rendition of the song.
Cole Wilson - vocals, guitar
Bill Ditchfield - double bass
Myra Hewitt - vocals, steel guitar, guitar
Nola Hewitt - vocals, double bass, ukulele, guitar, mandolin
Colin McCrorie - guitar, vocals, lap steel
‘Maple on the Hill’ is alleged to have sold some 80,000 copies in the 1950s
‘Maple on the Hill’ was written in 1881 by the 18-year-old Gussie Davis, one of the USA's first successful African-American songwriters.