Kenneth W. MacKenzie was born November 18, 1918 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Simone LaBrie MacKenzie was born April 26, 1920 in Manchester New Hampshire.
They were married on New Year’s Eve in 1938. They had two sons, Kenny and Ricky.
As a teenager, Ken’s dad bought him a guitar, case, picks, and instruction book from Spiegel’s for $8.00. he learned to play the guitar as well as the harmonica.. He played and sang on Minstrel Shows and at Grange Meetings.
In 1936, Ken commenced broadcasting over Radio WFEA in Manchester, N.H. this program lasted for 2 years.
In 1938, Ken came to Maine to work the Buck Nation & The Cowboy Caravan. And in 1939, he began on WGAN, Portland Radio.
In 1942, he opened the Lone Star Ranch at Reeds Ferry, N. H.
Ken sincerely felt and stated that he would not have enjoyed the success he has as an entertainer “...without the tremendous Country Music Fans of Maine….”
Simone began just taking care of ticket sales during Ken’s Shows and joining singing the last song. And in 1941, she finally became a regular member of his shows.
She has performed with such Country Greats as Eddie Miller, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Dick Curless, Joe Gallien, Dickie Monroe, Charlie Gilliam and many others.
Ken MacKenzie was inducted into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame in 1978
Simone MacKenzie was inducted into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame in 1984.
Ken & Simone MacKenzie were inducted into the Maine Academy of Country Music's Hillbilly Heaven on September 25, 2004.
