Smale's Pace

Smale's Pace opened in 1969 under the ownership of John Smale. The venue was converted from a Bell Canada garage.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} Willie P. Bennett began his performing career at the Smale's Pace,^[6] among many Canadian artists who performed on the stage.^[7][8]

Upon acquiring Smale's Pace, Carl and Annie Grindstaff moved the venue to nearby Talbot Street, re-opening it with the name Change The Pace. While keeping the same furnishings, the ambiance was more formal. Ken Palmer of bluegrass band the Dixie Flyers was brought in to book the talent and while the venue still focused on singer-songwriters, Palmer booked weekly bluegrass players, as well as touring artists including Connie Kaldor, Roy Forbes, James Durst, and Mark Rust.^[3][9]

Annual Smale's Pace/Change of Pace Folk Reunion Concerts have featured Ken Whiteley, Brent Titcomb, Colleen Peterson, Jackie Washington, Murray McLauchlan, Perth County Conspiracy, Liam Russell, Fraser & Girard, New Cumberland with John P. Allen, Nora Galloway and The Dixie Flyers.^{[10][11][12][13]}