Robert Marginet inducted onto the Fiddling Wall of Fame
Surrounded by family and friends, Robert Marginet of Holland was inducted onto the Fiddling Wall of Fame in the Accompanist category, at the Carman Community Hall on Sunday, April 27, 2025. A life-long musician, Robert says “I always loved music as a child. I remember neighbours coming over to play music with my dad. My first instrument was the trumpet, and I joined the Bruxelles Brass Band when I was 15 years old.” Not only was he a member of the Band, but in 1991, in advance of Bruxelles’ Centennial celebrations the next summer, he led the newly resurrected Bruxelles Centennial Brass Band as Band Leader, stepping into the shoes of his grandfather, Gustave Hutlet, who was the Band’s first Leader in 1899. “I played the ‘Last Post’ at the annual Remembrance Day Service in Holland for 45 years, retiring in 2023”.
Born on February 19, 1939, Robert was more interested in music than in school. “My sister Mary kept a guitar in her closet, and I would sneak in there to play it. I fell in love with the guitar when I heard Chet Atkins on the Grand Ole Opry, and I tried to play like him in fingerstyle. Mom promised to buy me a better guitar if I didn’t smoke, so, I never smoked! One night I discovered how Chet played, and I stayed up until 5:00 a.m. to make sure I wouldn’t forget it. The next morning, I slept in, and my dad woke me up by throwing a cup of water on me! I bought Chet Atkins records and learned many of the tunes, but I was just ‘copying’ so I decided to branch out. I fell in love with jazz and played with a group in Brandon. I like all types of music: country, jazz, rock’n’roll, and bluegrass. I played with bands in Portage la Prairie, Brandon and Winnipeg, including The Northern Gentlemen, Just for Now, Sonatrice Singers, and Incline-ation”.
Robert will celebrate his 63rd wedding anniversary on May 19th with his wife Jacqueline (nee Hacault) and says, “I discovered my wife Jackie was a good singer; actually, the best singer I ever had the pleasure of backing up. She has a good ear and corrects me when I have a wrong harmony or note. In 1977, Jackie and I formed the band Jasmine, and we disbanded in 1987. I freelanced a lot after that. We recorded a few CDs: some of my playing and some of Jackie’s singing. I also recorded with some old-time fiddlers. Now, I play mostly in care homes with ‘The Three Berts’: Albert Wytinck, Norbert Simoens, and myself, Robert Marginet. In the summer, I also play with Harvey Dueck of Miami and Ernie Enns of Carman.”
The husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, accompanied by his guitar, is a familiar sight locally and further afield, at community events and gatherings, at weddings and funerals. But on-stage that Sunday afternoon in Carman, performing with Albert, Norbert, daughter Melissa and son Brent, a man was honoured for being there with his guitar during some of our most joyous and difficult days. Thank you, Robert; we Congratulate you on this milestone in your life and career!
PHOTO CAPTION: Robert and Jacqueline Marginet proudly display Robert’s Wall of Fame award.
