BIOGRAPHY:

Born Dorothy Jean Heppel in 1925, “Ginger” was raised in Toronto. Her early passion for music was fueled by her parents, and as a teenager, Leonard “Hal” Francois Joseph Guy Gauthier worked in the logging camps of Northern Quebec, his real passion lying in music.

Ginger first took in a performance by Leonard in Rouyn, Quebec, where she and her band had a gig.  Leonard soon joined Ginger & The Melody Rangers full-time and eventually, the two became a couple on stage and off with a trip down the aisle and a new floor show duo act in Montreal and upper New York State.

Hal changed his name in acknowledgement of his idol Hank Williams and in 1955, Hal & Ginger moved to Nashville. Ginger became the first Canadian female country artist on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville and they, together with Hall of Famer Hank Snow, are the only Canadian performers to have ever toured with the legendary Elvis Presley.

Hal & Ginger's success as writers also hit a high with their songs being recorded by Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Ernest Tubb, Bobby Helms, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and The Wilburn Bros. Hal and Ginger each won a BMI award; Hal received two gold records, including his signature song, ‘The Lunberjack’, a classic novelty tune co-written by Hal & Ginger, which was a #5 hit for Hal on the Billboard Country Charts in 1964.

Hal's beloved music and life partner, Ginger, passed away on October 26, 2003 at the age of 78 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. After recent health trouble, Hal is now back on track and continues to live in Nashville, is writing songs and plans to cut a new album soon.

Ginger Willis passed away on October 26, 2003 at the age of 78.
Hal Willis passed away on September 4, 2015 the age of 82.

Photo Credits: Grant Martin Photography