|
 
May
2, 2008
3 upcoming Summer
concert Packages: July 20, August 17 and September 21 in Big
Pond.
Chowder dinner & Concert package includes dinner at Rita's tea
room and concert at the Big Pond Community Centre.
View Poster for
more details
(PDF)
Tickets:
Available at Rita's Tea Room: 902-828-2667
or
Securely Online
Cost:
$30.00
................................................................................................................................................
February 13, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
RITA MacNEIL’s Mother’s Day Concert
Series!
Tickets on sale this Friday, February 15th
Nova Scotia
will play host to four special Mother’s Day performances by Rita
MacNeil.
The concert
series will visit Truro May 10th, Halifax May 11th, Pictou May
12th and Wolfville, May 13th. It will be a blend of her time
honoured hits as well as selections from her most recent CD,
“Songs My Mother Loved”.
As a daughter,
a mother and a grandmother, Rita’s life journey is reflected in
her unpretentious lyrics and in the engaging stories of the
people and places that are near and dear to her heart. It’s an
honest, poetic and engaging afternoon or evening of
entertainment filled with the music that first brought Rita
national acclaim (I’ll Accept the Rose Tonight”, “Working Man”,
“Home I’ll Be”) and of course the songs her mother loved (“North
to Alaska”, “Green, Green Grass of Home”, “You’ll Never Walk
Alone”)
Rita MacNeil –
a special Mother’s Day concert series – goes on sale this
Friday.
SATURDAY, MAY
10/08 - 3 PM
Cobequid Educational Centre, Truro.
Tickets go on sale Friday at McQuarries Pharmasave.
902-895-1681.
SUNDAY, MAY
11/08 - 3 PM
Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax.
Special Mother's Day Concert. Tickets go on sale Friday. Call
902-494-3820.
MONDAY, MAY
12/08 - 7 PM
deCoste Entertainment Centre, Pictou.
Tickets go on sale Mon. March 3rd. Call 902-485-8848.
TUESDAY, MAY
13/08 - 7 PM
Festival Theatre, Acadia University, Wolfville.
Tickets go on sale Friday. Call 902-542-5500.
................................................................................................................................................
December
2007
Visit
Destination Cape Breton for details and to enter the "Home
I'll Be" Giveaway contest with Rita MacNeil!
................................................................................................................................................
December 16, 2007
Holidays burned into MacNeil's memory
PETER NORTH, CanWest News
Service
Time finds a
way to stand still, at least momentarily, in the presence of
Rita MacNeil during the Christmas season.
Anyone who
caught a repeat TV broadcast earlier this week of one of
MacNeil's Christmas specials would have been hard pressed to
determine whether the show was shot last week, last year or last
decade.
For MacNeil,
the season is about traditions. If the Cape Breton singing star
isn't performing a spirited rendition of a holiday classic,
she's digging into a bag as deep as Santa's that contains dozens
of Christmas songs she's penned over the years.
MacNeil's
recollections of childhood Christmases have been well documented
over the years and the anecdotal segments of her Christmas
concerts find the much-loved performer sharing memories of
handcrafted gifts, and the sounds of the radio playing holiday
favourites while her mother's baking filled the house with
enticing smells.
"Those
memories of Big Pond at Christmas in my youth really do burn in
my memory. It was an amazing time with family and friends and it
was simple and real. I like that much better than all the hype."
In the midst
of a 21-date tour, the soft-spoken artist is delighted to be
back on the road at this, her favourite time of the year.
"I continue to
draw on the songs I have written about Christmas and the
audience also wants me to throw in a few traditional songs and
carols as well."
Despite the
deep well of Christmas songs she has to draw on, "I don't
believe I've got them all out yet. There are more to come, new
ones to sing."
The voice that
began capturing the hearts of Canadians at Expo 86 continues to
serve her and her audience well.
"It's always
there when I need it and singing is something that I still love
to do."
She has a
mantel full of Juno, East Coast and Canadian Country Music
Association awards, and aspires to begin work on a children's
album.
"We're hoping
to get into the studio soon. I have four grandchildren and that
has inspired me to write a number of original songs for them."
But first
things first. It's time to keep enjoying a season that will
never grow old for MacNeil or her fans.
................................................................................................................................................
December 15, 2007
Rita's Back In Town: Songstress MacNeil Crosses Canada Spreading
Holiday Cheer
By DAVE MALLETT, Edmonton Sun
"If you find
longevity doin' what you're doin', then you're doin' alright."
So says Rita
MacNeil, whose self-fulfilling words are indeed quite true for
the long time Canadian touring fave. The east coast singer
brings her popular holiday show to the Winspear Centre stage
tonight.
The holiday
cheer and great seasonal tunes will be there in spades as
MacNeil visits her loyal Edmonton fans. For 30-plus years,
MacNeil has been building a devoted and faithful fan base across
the country with her consistently enjoyable, light and
traditional folk songs.
MacNeil
released her debut album, Born A Woman, in 1975. All of the
familiar hallmarks of her sound were intact even then - gentle,
melodic songs of home and longing, themes she has explored ever
since.
"I was just
getting to know myself. There's a real sense of home on that
album," says MacNeil.
Scanning the
history of one of the Great White North's favourite ladies, the
theme of having a sense of home is pervasive.
MacNeil first
came to national recognition when she sang her hit "Workin' Man"
with the Men of the Deeps, a male chorus comprised of working
and retired coal miners from the Maritimes.
And it's the
familiar themes of family and hard work that have kept her
audiences faithful to her unchanged sound over the last three
decades.
MacNeil's
latest album, Songs My Mother Loved, continues the motif, with
MacNeil covering several classics that were favourites in her
family as she grew up.
"I wanted to
do something a little different, but I had to have a connection
to it. And the connection was, they were actual songs I sang to
my mother," MacNeil explains. "While growing up in Cape Breton,
my mother was a great encouragement when it came to my singing.
Both mom and dad had favourite songs that they really enjoyed
and many times after school they would ask me to sing these
songs."
That's the
kind of cozy, heart-warming fare her fans love. MacNeil's music
has always been easy on the ears and food for the soul, and
rarely if ever, has the award-winning performer made chart
position or record sales her first priority.
"You can't
compete with radio," says MacNeil. "If you're looking for No. 1s
and 2s, all the way up to tens, you're in it for the wrong
reasons."
But that
doesn't mean the singer is out of touch. Her website features
her latest album in streaming audio and offers clips from every
album she's done, from the aforementioned debut to her
breakthrough disc, Flying On Your Own, to the country tinged
Blue Roses.
But rather
than release oldies discs for the rest of her career, MacNeil
has some ambitious plans for the future.
"I've written
a lot of children's songs and I'd like that to be my next
project," says MacNeil.
As well, she'd
like to distill her experiences into a piece of musical theatre.
The singer's life has already been brought to life on stage in
Charlie Rhindress's play, Flying On Her Own.
"I'd love to
do a musical. Just on the idea stage. Remembering the songs I'm
singing, memories, stories and a good time," says MacNeil.
Thankfully,
you won't have to wait to experience any of that as MacNeil's
traditional Christmas concert will also feature old favourites
from her catalog.
................................................................................................................................................
Pour for the Cure
September 9, 2007
1:00-5:00 pm
Rita's Tea Room
Rita will be
stopping in for a few hours between these times. All dining room
proceeds for the day are donated to Breast Cancer Research.
Pour for the Cure Dinning Room Special - Strawberry Cake with
Tea/Coffee - $6.00
................................................................................................................................................
 June
12, 2007
Summer Concerts: Big Pond Festival Series:
Big Pond Community Centre
(all shows 8:00 pm)
Saturday, July
14 - ($20.00) - Gordie Sampson
Sunday, July 15 - ($22.00) - The Barra MacNeil’s
Sunday, July 22 - ($25.00) - Rita MacNeil
Sunday, July 29 - ($22.00) - Ashley MacIsaac
Sunday, August 19 ($12.00) - Fiddlers Ceilidh
Sunday, August 26 ($25.00) - Rita MacNeil
Sunday, September 30 ($25.00) - Rita MacNeil
Chowder Dinner and Concert Package
Dinner: 6:00
pm, Concert: 8:00 pm
July 22 • August 26 • September 30
Dinner and
Concert: $50 (incl. taxes and gratuity). Package includes dinner
at Rita’s Tea Room (6:00 pm) and ticket to see Rita in Concert
at the Big Pond Community Centre (Big Pond Festival Series).
Show at 8:00 pm
Tickets are
available at Rita's Tea Room, Gillis Timbermart (King's Road,
Sydney River), McKillop Flowers (King's Road, Sydney River),
Home Hardware (Prince St, Sydney).
................................................................................................................................................
April 18, 2007
Rita MacNeil concert at Opera House cancelled; Singer cites
scheduling conflict
Courtney Whalen, The Packet & Times
Those hoping
to enjoy the sounds of Cape Breton crooner Rita MacNeil at the
Orillia Opera House will be disappointed, as the singer has
cancelled her May 3 date. Opera House general manager Michael
Martyn said they got the news yesterday that, due to a
scheduling conflict, MacNeil would be unable to honour the
booking.
"These things
happen sometimes," said Martyn, noting he believes the show will
be rescheduled at a later date, although he's unsure when. "At
this point, it's more of a postponement than a cancellation."
MacNeil's
publicist, Marlene Palmer, said the Opera House date was
cancelled after a conflict with a previous commitment became
clear. "It became a time issue, to load in and load out a show,
to travel the distance and have Rita in top form, it just became
a scheduling issue," she said. While he acknowledged the
cancellation is unfortunate, Martyn said the Opera House had no
control over it, although he apologized for the inconvenience to
patrons.
"I look
forward to working with Rita again in the future," he said of
the anticipated rescheduling of the show.
Brian Edwards
of Rocklands Talent, which books tours for MacNeil, confirmed
the show will be rescheduled for some time in the future. A
performance May 5 at the Gryphon Theatre in Barrie will go ahead
as scheduled.
Those who had
already purchased tickets for the May 3 date can call the
Orillia Opera House box office at 326-8011 to arrange a refund.
.........................................................................................................................................
Home
She’ll Be: Rita MacNeil’s Cape Breton Airs April 8 on CTV
Features performances by Jimmy Rankin, Ashley MacIsaac, Aselin
Debison, Gary Beals and more. The spectacular one-hour music
special airs Easter Sunday, April 8
at 7:00 pm ET (9:00 pm in Man and Sask) on CTV. Visit
www.CTV.ca to confirm local
broadcast times.
From the
rolling hills of the majestic highlands to the coal-mining town
of Glace Bay, Rita MacNeil and her fellow East Coast musicians
entertain Canadians this Easter with Rita MacNeil’s Cape Breton.
"I've done
many television specials but this one is my favorite. It's the
simplest, yet most beautiful. It captures the magic and
spirituality of the island, which is the heart and soul of my
music," said Rita MacNeil.
 In
Rita MacNeil’s Cape Breton, the beloved songstress celebrates
the island’s stunning beauty and unique musical heritage with
special guests Jimmy Rankin, Ashley MacIsaac, Aselin Debison,
North America’s only coal mining choir, Men of the Deeps,
legendary gospel singer Mavis Staples, Canadian Idol’s Gary
Beals and native ensemble, Sons of Membertou.
Rita was
thrilled to work with some of her favourite East Coast artists.
“I was so completely blown away by Jimmy when we sang together,
that, except for the chorus, I just hung back and let him go,”
she said. “What a voice. What a star!”
 “All
the guests brought something special,” MacNeil added. “Aselin
has the voice of an angel and she’s only 16. Ashley is an
original, a musical revolution unto himself - and Men of the
Deeps tell us of the hardship they endured with every emotional
note they sing.”
“The nighttime
chants on that silent fire-lit lake of the Sons of Membertou are
with me still,” continued MacNeil. “And, when we went to Arichat,
even though many of the townspeople only speak French, they
waited in line and packed the church to hear legendary gospel
singer Mavis Staples who sang up a storm with Canadian Idol’s
Gary Beals.”
 Rita
MacNeil’s Cape Breton was shot entirely on location including
Mabou in Inverness County, home to the Rankin family; Plaster
Rock in Iona; Ingonish; Neils Harbour; the historic Savoy
Theatre in the coal mining town of Glace Bay; Rita’s famous tea
room in Big Pond; one of Nova Scotia’s oldest communities, the
French town of Arichat and the breathtaking Middlehead
Peninsula, a conservation area surrounded on three sides by the
Atlantic Ocean.
“I’ve done lots of shows with Sandra [Faire, Executive Producer
of the special], and she always takes us to the most remote
areas - like Middlehead Peninsula where we shot the opening,”
said MacNeil. “To get there, you have to hike almost one mile by
foot or helicopter in. Guess which one I chose,” joked MacNeil.
A native of
Big Pond on Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island, Rita MacNeil is a
legendary Canadian singer/songwriter. She is currently touring
across Canada in support of her latest CD, Songs My Mother
Loved.
Rita MacNeil’s Cape
Breton is produced by Leopard Productions Inc. in association
with CTV, with the assistance of the Canadian Film and Video Tax
Credits and The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credits.
.........................................................................................................................................
February 28, 2007
Rita MacNeil returns to the Algonquin
by Gillian Brunette, The Huntsville Forester
Rita MacNeil
is coming back to the Algonquin Theatre on March 6 at 7 p.m.
"This
performance is the rescheduled date for the Dec. 15
cancellation. Tickets from the cancelled concert will be
honoured at this performance," said Algonquin Theatre manager
Karin Terziano.
MacNeil will
be presenting her Songs My Mother Loved show which she did for a
sold-out audience here last June.
"If you missed
that performance then here is a wonderful not-to-be-missed
opportunity to catch
it this time around," said Terziano.
Rita MacNeil
is a household name across Canada. Her songs are about
conversations, friends
getting together, community roots, believing in dreams, both
good and bad times, working people, taking risks, home and
paying tribute to a loving family - things that ring true for
everybody. Not many could weather what Rita MacNeil did
and achieve what she has. On A Personal Note, her book written
with Anne Simpson, detailed most of her struggle to succeed as a
singer in spite of personal difficulties.
MacNeil grew
up in Big Pond, Cape Breton with three brothers and four
sisters. Often chaotic,
her youth included the physical and psychological trauma of
surgery for a cleft palate, a first
love affair that left her with a child and a broken heart, a
marriage breakdown and numerous
frustrating attempts to kick-start a musical career.
Her mother
Renee was a great encouragement, MacNeil said. "She believed in
the singing and
wanted me to be able to perform because she knew that's what I
loved."
Renee MacNeil
did not live to see her daughter's success, but MacNeil's song
Reason To Believe acknowledges the gift.
After a number
of unsuccessful attempts to find work in the music business,
MacNeil found
inspiration in the women's movement. In 1971, she wrote about
women having a voice and called it Need For Restoration.
The next year
she wrote a song protesting a beauty pageant, called Born A
Woman, which became the title of her first album, recorded in
1974. The album launched MacNeil into the folk music circuit,
from the Riverboat and Mariposa to Northern Lights (in Sudbury)
and the Kootenays Folk Festival in B.C.
Despite a
troubled marriage, having to care for her two children and a
disappointing career to
that point, MacNeil found that music was really the best
medicine. Back in Cape Breton in 1979, she found work and more
inspiration to write. The songs came fast and furious and
suddenly people paid attention to her work. There were press
interviews, radio appearances and calls for concert appearances.
The turning
point in MacNeil's career was Expo '86 in Vancouver, where
despite her normal misgivings about the gig her shows were
sold out. Later that year, her Flying On Her Own album was
recorded and then released in 1987. The album soon went gold and
helped earn MacNeil
her first Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist at the
age of 42.
In 1990,
MacNeil sold more records in Canada than Garth Brooks and in
1991 she was invited to play at Royal Albert Hall in England. In
1992, she was inducted into the Order of Canada.
Her television
appearances broke all records and there followed two more Junos,
four Canadian
Country Music Awards and seven East Coast Music Awards in the
'90s.
.........................................................................................................................................
February 15, 2007
Rita returns! After cancelling
her popular holiday concert tour, Rita MacNeil is ready to kick
off her Songs My Mother Loved tour
By Laura Jean Grant , The Cape Breton Post
SYDNEY - Rita
MacNeil says it's great to be back at it. The beloved Cape
Breton songstress said she's feeling better and is eager to get
back onstage after having to cancel her popular holiday concert
tour due to illness.
"I was so
disappointed I had to cancel the Christmas tour so I'm really
looking forward to getting back out on the road and doing my
show," she said.
MacNeil will
kick off her Songs My Mother Loved tour Feb. 25 at the Membertou
Trade and Convention Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the
show starts at 7:30 p.m.. The tour comes on the heels of her
first all-covers collection and tribute CD released last year.
"I recorded my
own music for a long time and when it came to this project I
thought it would be fun to draw on the memories I had of singing
songs for my parents when I was growing up so the songs on the
CD were ones that my mother used to get me to sing for her," she
said. "It brought back a lot of good memories and I was real
happy that I was able to put the CD together."
Tracks include
Green Green Grass of Home, It's Almost Tomorrow, The Wayward
Wind and Dear Hearts and Gentle People.
"They were
their choices at the time," she said. "It will bring back
memories for some folks. They're a treat to do. They're
wonderful songs and they've stood the test of time, for sure."
MacNeil said
looking back her parents' support, encouragement and belief in
her talent gave her the confidence to pursue a career in the
music industry.
"My mother had
passed away before things really took off for me but I think as
you get older and you look back you realize what a great impact
they did have on your life and how they were there for you, for
sure," she said.
Throughout the
tour MacNeil said she will play some of her own music in the
first set, but will dedicate the second set to songs from her
latest CD.
"This is a fun
tour and I think the selection of songs make it fun and it's
great to be back out and to see folks," she said.
Tickets are on
sale at the MTCC box office or by calling 539-2300. Tickets from
the Now The Bells Ring show scheduled to take place at the
centre Dec. 22 will also be honoured.
.........................................................................................................................................
February 9, 2007
A Note From Rita...
With the
cancellation of the December tour, I missed the pleasure of
seeing all you good people. I want to thank everyone for the
support and well wishes and look forward to the evenings
together on this tour. With songs from the new CD 'Songs My
Mother Loved', I hope to share a memory or two, giving us all a
reason to smile.
-
Rita
.........................................................................................................................................
December 12, 2006
CHRISTMAS CONCERTS CANCELLED – NEW CONCERTS SCHEDULED:
Regretfully,
Rita MacNeil’s “Now The Bells Ring” Christmas concert tour has
had to be cancelled. The Nova Scotia born singer is recovering
from an infection and doctors have recommended rest.
A number of
concerts have been re-scheduled:
Wednesday,
February 28, 2007 - Charlottetown (replaces Dec. 19)
Friday, March 2, 2007 - Fredericton (replaces Dec. 20)
Sunday, March 4, 2007 - Simcoe (replaces Dec. 14)
Monday, March 5, 2007 - St. Catharines (replaces Dec. 11)
Tuesday, March 6, 2007 - Huntsville (replaces Dec. 15)
Wednesday, March 7, 2007 - Blyth (replaces Dec. 9)
Friday, March 9, 2007 - Kingston (replaces Dec. 16)
Sunday, March 11, 2007 - Belleville (replaces Dec. 10)
Monday, March 12, 2007 - Nepean (replaces Dec. 12)
Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Brampton (replaces Dec. 17)
Patrons who
purchased tickets for the December shows may hold onto their
tickets – they will be honoured for the March shows. Those
wishing refunds must do so before December 20th by returning to
the point of purchase.
.........................................................................................................................................
December 1, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Regretfully,
Rita MacNeil’s “Now The Bells Ring” Christmas concert dates in
Western Canada and Thunder Bay have had to be cancelled. MacNeil
is recovering from an infection that took hold just as the tour
was expected to begin a week ago. Plans are underway for Rita to
return to these markets sometime in the new year. Tickets may be
refunded at point of purchase.
For further
information please contact:
Marlene Palmer
Palmer Publicity Ink, Ltd
604-988-6757
.........................................................................................................................................
September 2006
NEW TEA ROOM COLLECTION
"The Tea Room
Collections" are attractively packaged easy-listening themed
music
compilations, culled from Rita's catalogue over the years. They
have been released by
EMI Music. There are six in total:
-
Home I'll
Be: Songs of Home
-
Higher
Power: Songs of Praise
-
Reason To
Believe: Songs of Inspiration
-
Sweet
Memory: Songs of Reminiscence
-
I'll
Accept the Rose: Songs of the Heart
-
Shining
Strong: A Country Collection
»
Click covers above for larger views
.........................................................................................................................................
July 13, 2006
Returning to her roots
By Brad Rowe, Cape Breton
Post
Big Pond's
most famous resident will be the feature performer for the
community's annual summer festival.
International
recording star Rita MacNeil will cap off a week of festivities
scheduled during the 42nd annual Big Pond Summer Festival with
her Home I'll Be concert Sunday, July 23 at 7 p.m. at the Big
Pond Community Centre/Fire Hall.
"I've played
the Big Pond concert for many years off and on like most
performers and I've enjoyed it very much," said MacNeil. "But
it's like everything else, you don't always have the time, or
the time may not be right to perform.
"When this
opportunity presented itself I was happy to agree. I love it out
here. It's certainly close to my heart. They have a wonderful
new fire hall. I'll be proud to be part of the festival series
this summer."
MacNeil spent
the month of June on a 13-city tour of Ontario to promote her
newest CD, Songs My Mother Loved. The 13-track CD of cover tunes
* the 23rd of MacNeil's career * was released in May.
"We had a
wonderful tour of Ontario," said MacNeil, who used to sing to
her late mother, Renee, in the kitchen of their Big Pond home
growing up. "I work with wonderful musicians and they'll be
performing on stage with me at the Big Pond concert, which will
be wonderful for me as well."
The festival
will officially get underway Sunday with the annual Big Pond
concert at the Big Pond Community Centre/Fire Hall. Glen Graham,
Cyril MacPhee, Dwayne Cote, Shauna Doolan and the Cape Breton
Gaelic Choir and Tracey Dares will be among the performers. The
concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.
"Big Pond has
always taken great pride in presenting quality and high-profile
musicians, many of whom have performed throughout the world,"
said festival committee member George MacInnis. "There has
always been a strong influence on fiddle music and the year 2006
is no exception."
Some of the
headline artists who have performed at past festivals include
John Allan Cameron, The Rankin Family, Natalie MacMaster and The
Cottars.
MacNeil has
performed in numerous Big Pond festivals during her illustrious
career but this will be her first appearance in several years.
"Certainly for
me, it's special when I can perform in Big Pond, because this is
where it basically all started for me," said MacNeil, who was
presented with a lifetime achievement award at the 2005 ECMAs in
Sydney. "It's always good to come back and be on your home turf.
There's always that rush of memories that make it special. I've
certainly celebrated the fact that I'm from here when I've
travelled across the country, so to be able to sing here is
always a great pleasure."
The
eight-person festival committee, which is fronted by chair
Melvin White, is ecstatic to have MacNeil back on stage.
"We love
having Rita here," said MacInnis. "We're just so proud she
belongs to us. We love the attention she is able to draw for Big
Ponders."
MacNeil's show
during the Big Pond festival will be her only performance during
July and August. She spends a lot of time during the summer
months at her bungalow in Big Pond and makes regular appearances
at Rita's Tea Room.
"I do (try to
take the summer off) because we have a busy schedule with our
Christmas tour and our spring tour. So the summer is the time
for me to sort of rejuvenate out here in Big Pond by the water,"
said MacNeil.
This is the
second year the festival concerts will be held indoors at the
community centre after years at MacIntyre's Field. The decision
to move the shows inside was made to avoid inclement weather and
to showcase the new community centre/fire hall. However, the one
drawback is that the venue can only hold a little over 400, so
tickets will be at a premium.
A limited
number of tickets to MacNeil's concert are available at Gillis
Building Materials and Renovations in Sydney River, Wilson's
Home Hardware in Sydney, Rita's Tea Room, MacKillop's Flowers in
Sydney River and the Ben Eoin Beach Campground. Tickets are $18
advance or $20 at the door.
BACK
TO TOP
.........................................................................................................................................
July 15, 2006
1897 two-storey, Victorian home in Sydney has been lovingly
restored
Kathryn Kates, Toronto Star
Singer Rita
MacNeil is so enamoured with her 1897, two-storey Victorian home
in Sydney, a city on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island, that
she's bought the house twice!
The first time
was in the '80s. Then, she sold and moved into a brand new
place, which never quite felt like home to her. So, seven years
ago, she re-purchased the historic Charlotte St. property a
block from Sydney's port harbour.
MacNeil's home
in the city's north end, which she shares with three Yorkshire
terriers — Dee Dee, Joy Joy and Summer — was originally built by
S.H. Stevenson for C.V. Wetmore, a railway engineer. On bus
tours, guides proudly point out the residence of their hometown
singing sweetheart to the throngs of cruise ship passengers who
stop in Sydney throughout the summer months.
"The first
time I walked in, it just spoke to me," says the singer who just
released the album Songs My Mother Loved on the KOCH
Entertainment label. "You know some houses do that. I was
attracted to the layout, the dark oak panelling and trim and the
light oak hardwood floors. I found it very comfortable,
inviting, homey and very much me.
``I knew what
I wanted and I knew how I wanted the house to look because it
just has such a warm feeling when you come into it and I wanted
to maintain that.
"I love to
decorate and to take things that are a little rundown and bring
them back to their original state. This is pretty well what I
did with this house. Of course, I had help with a house this
humongous, but I picked out all the lighting, draperies,
accessories, different wallpaper in every room. And the rugs
have been in my possession for years. The house reflects my
personality in the décor and the things I picked out. The whole
vibe inside the house is very much a Rita vibe."
In the book,
Old Sydney Town — Historic Buildings of the North End, written
by the Old Sydney Society, it's noted that the composition of
the exterior beige brick façade is an interesting mix of
symmetry and irregularity. There are projecting bays on either
side of the central door, the left side has three angles for the
walls and the roof. On the right is a square bay.
"I don't have
any grass around my house, the reason being, when I built
before, I had five acres of lawn and I swore I never wanted to
have the worry of the upkeep again. I don't have a lawnmower
here and I don't want to see one. So, I've done gravel and stone
in the front and back yards. Sometimes I buy planters with
lovely flowers in them. It is not that I don't love greenery,
but I can go to Big Pond to see lots of grass and trees...and
that's fine by me," states the singer, who owns a teahouse in
Big Pond and spends summer mornings, when not on tour, greeting
guests there.
The house has
an unfinished basement. At the front of the house on the main
floor is an enclosed sun porch the width of the house. The
wallpaper is cream-based with flowers. In addition to a beige
couch, a pink chair with a pillow with a cat design on it and a
round side table draped in a cream cover with a fringe, are
pink-carpeted dog stairs with dog figurines on each step. The
custom-designed stairs allow the three Yorkies a great view of
the comings and goings on Charlotte St.
A second door
leads to the front foyer; there is a small dark table that came
with the house when MacNeil originally purchased it. On it is a
brass cone lampshade with glass beading on a brass base that
came from MacNeil's first CBC television special.
At the front
of the house is a powder room. To the right of the foyer is the
family room with its wood-burning fireplace. The walls have
green and pink floral wallpaper. There are cream and green
floral drapes over pink sheers and built-in bookshelves. The
furniture includes a medium-stained wood chair and a small
cranberry leather couch.
Behind the
family room is the dining room. The walls, three-quarters the
way up from the floor, are panelled in dark wood; the wallpaper
above is striped in a floral rose. There is a cherrywood dining
suite with a hutch that the singer bought in Cape Breton — the
seat cushions are made with gold on gold-striped fabric.
Displayed in the hutch is a 15-place set of Cauldon China made
in England and bought by MacNeil in a second-hand store in
Toronto. Above the table is an ornate brass and crystal
chandelier.
At the back of
the house is the kitchen. To the left of the foyer is the
parlour, MacNeil's favourite room. The wallpaper is a burgundy
and beige floral stripe. There is an Oriental rug and in front
of the wood-burning fireplace are two rose parlour chairs
surrounding a coffee table. At the back of the room is a green
parlour couch. A parlour chair sits in the corner; it was bought
while on tour in Toronto and MacNeil reupholstered it in purple
fabric. A sister parlour chair, reupholstered in a light pink
fabric, sits in front of MacNeil's beloved antique secretary
bought at an auction in Sydney. On it is a collection of Royal
Doulton figurines.
A grand, dark
oak staircase leads you to the second floor where there is a
bathroom, three guest rooms and the master bedroom and ensuite.
Each bedroom has its own patterned drapery with matching
bedding.
"Buying an
older house can be a lot of work, but if that's your passion, it
can be a lot of fun, as well," adds MacNeil. "Certainly, that's
what I did and I enjoyed every minute of it. It is great to have
the house up and running again. There are lots of old houses in
Sydney and people do take them on and love and care for them. It
is so nice to see."
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Summer 2006 Personal Appearances at the Tea Room:
(all dates & times subject to change)
July 01
--
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Canada Day! Come celebrate Canada's Birthday with Rita
(complimentary cake & tea).
July 06 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
July 09 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
July 13 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
July 16 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
July 20 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
July 23 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
July 27 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
July 30 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Welcome H.O.G.® Members: Meet and Greet with Rita MacNeil
(The Tea is on US!)
August 03
--
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
August 06 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
August 20 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
August 24 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
August 27 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
August 31 --
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Visit
the Tea Room Online
.........................................................................................................................................
 March
23, 2006
Upcoming CD "Songs My Mother Loved"
Rita MacNeil's
newest CD (to be released May 2006) is a project close to her
heart. A tribute to her mother, entitled 'Songs My Mother
Loved', the CD is a collection of standards from the 40s, 50s,
and 60s. A tour of the same name is set to begin in Ontario,
Canada this May/June.
Visit the 'Songs My Mother
Loved' page
for more information and to listen to all tracks from the CD.
»
BUY
CD
.........................................................................................................................................
January 18,
2006
Out of print albums released to CD!
Rita's first three albums
(original vinyl's out of print) are now available on special
edition collector's CD. Visit the
Gift Shop to place your pre-orders (will ship end of March
2006).
.........................................................................................................................................
December 2,2005
Rita brings her own touch to Christmas show
By Mike Ross, Edmonton Sun
Rita MacNeil does all the cooking
at her home on Christmas Day - in Big Pond, Nova Scotia - though
she could afford to get Emeril and a squad of personal
assistants to do all the work. Heck, she could even hire the
Mormon Tabernacle Choir to sing and Raffi to entertain her four
grandchildren.
"No, it's my cooking that they
want," she says. It's a simple spread: "basic" turkey, a small
ham, vegetables, salad, fruit and "a fish dish as well because
there's a vegetarian among us."
Remember that in Cape Breton, fish
is considered a vegetable. In Cod we trust.
She does all the decorating, too.
Already done, in fact, before she hit the road for two months of
"Cape Breton Christmas" shows across Canada, including one
tomorrow night at the Jubilee Auditorium. Does Rita MacNeil love
Christmas? Is the Pope German?
"I love Christmas, not to say it's
a great time for everyone," says MacNeil, in a voice as soothing
as a nice cup of tea. "I'm aware of that, and maybe that's why I
try to keep the best of it so much. Growing up, I certainly had
my share of Christmases that weren't that great. There can be a
lot of sadness in this season, too."
For specific details on Rita's
personal trials that won't be taken out of context in a press
interview - she answers the nosy query more politely than that,
of course - refer to her book, On a Personal Note. No word on a
sequel, but there is still plenty of material in this
61-year-old singer's remarkable rags-to-riches tale. From
humble, even dire circumstances, she's grown to superstar
levels, at least among Maritimers who like Christmas and a nice
cup of tea - and make no mistake, they are as legion as Lawrence
Welk fans. There are no rough edges at all in Rita's music,
soothing examples of which can be heard on her latest studio
album, Blue Roses.
It's all Christmas music at the
show, of course. She plugs her opening act, the Barra MacNeils
(no relation), as a band capable of "bringing the house down."
She'll join the band along with crooner Peter Giller in a
"rousing last set" with no worries she'll be able to keep up.
She says, "Music is timeless and
ageless. It's about joy and passion, and I think you don't just
string a bunch of songs together and hope they work. I think
they have to come from the heart and you have to feel them, and
when you feel them, there's always the energy there."
MacNeil has even branched out a
bit. She made her television acting debut two years ago with an
unlikely appearance in Trailer Park Boys. She played herself -
kidnapped and forced to pick marijuana. She says she had a
"blast" but hasn't done any acting since.
MacNeil recalls, "I'd seen the
show and didn't see where I'd fit into it, but they sent me the
script. I read it and said, 'This is too funny. How can you not
do this?' A lot of people were surprised I did it, but you
wouldn't believe the e-mails I got from people who admit they
watched the show, who surprised me. They have a lot of closeted
viewers. When I get a chance I put it on just for a laugh, but
I'm not a television person."
Needless to say, there will be no
football games on at Rita's house on Christmas Day. Just some
lovely Christmas music - from someone else.
She laughs, "I'll be sung out by
then."
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 November
1, 2005
Rita MacNeil given Nova Scotia Honour
Canadian Press
Canadian folksinger-songwriter
Rita MacNeil added another award to her list of achievements
Tuesday, when the province of Nova Scotia bestowed her with its
highest honour.
MacNeil was among those named to
the Order of Nova Scotia Tuesday. The Cape Breton singer was
recovering from surgery and unable to accept in person, so she
sent her daughter Laura Lewis on her behalf.
MacNeil, who is also a member of
the Order of Canada, has recorded more than 20 albums, holds
honorary degrees from five universities and has won a host of
Canadian music awards, most recently a 2005 East Coast Music
Award recognizing her lifetime achievement.
Other inductees to the Order on
Tuesday included former Nova Scotia chief justice Constance
Glube, Annapolis County's former high sheriff Theresa McNeil,
veteran Jack Yazer and the late Cyril Reddy, a former social
worker and advisor to Premier John Hamm.
Established in 2001, the Order of
Nova Scotia recognizes individual Nova Scotians for their
outstanding contributions or achievements in a range of
endeavours. Public officials may not be nominated while they are
in office and the Order may be awarded posthumously, if the
person is nominated within one year of his or her death.
Past recipients include singer
Anne Murray, historian and curator Marie B. Elwood, journalist
Carrie M. Best and John Savage, the former mayor of Dartmouth
and premier of Nova Scotia.
PHOTO: Rita
MacNeil was honoured for her lifetime achievement at the 2005
East Coast Music Awards.
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October 24, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Celebrate Rita MacNeil’s Cape
Breton Christmas featuring The Barra MacNeil’s and introducing,
The Cape Breton Tenor, Peter Gillis!
The warmth and splendour of Cape
Breton comes to life as Rita MacNeil welcomes you to join her in
an intimate “parlour-style”gathering of celebrated artists!
MacNeil’s concerts are a perennial
favourite. It is an evening where everyone can take a moment to
remember what makes the season special and enjoy the purity and
pageantry of Rita’s original Holiday music – a blend of Celtic,
Country and Gospel, including “Christmas at Home” and “Making
Merry”, as featured on her most recent Christmas CD, “Late
December”.
Joining Rita on stage will be
special guest’s the Barra MacNeil’s! With a career that now
spans almost 20 years, this award winning family of Celtic
ambassadors will offer selections from The Christmas Album
including a show-stopping performance of “O Holy Night”. Their
Celtic roots run deep and their musical artistry unparralled.
The Barra MacNeil’s have appeared with Rita on television
specials over the years, can be heard on her records and are now
a welcome addition to this special touring show.
Rounding out the evening will be a
gentleman well known to Maritimers and soon to be discovered by
the rest of Canada - Peter Gillis. The tenor’s rich and
expressive voice has earned him critical acclaim from audiences
and critics around the world.
Each artist will also include
selections from their current releases – Rita MacNeil’s “Blue
Roses”, The Barra MacNeil’s “All At Once” and Peter Gillis’
“Cape Breton Tenor”.
Rita MacNeil’s Cape Breton
Christmas promises to be a unique and joyful experience – an
evening steeped in tradition, wrapped in warm memories and of
course shared with you.
November 24 – Grande Prairie, AB –
Canada Games Arena
November 25 – Prince George, BC – CN Centre
November 28 – Surrey, BC – Bell Performing Arts Centre
November 29 – Victoria, BC – Royal
Theatre
December 1 – Red Deer, AB – Enmax Centrium
December 2 – Calgary, AB – Jubilee Auditorium
December 3 – Edmonton, AB – Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
December 4 – Saskatoon, SK – Centennial Auditorium
December 5 – Regina, SK – Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts
December 7 – Winnipeg, MB – Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall
December 8 – Thunder Bay, ON – Community Auditorium
December 10 – London, ON – Centennial Hall
December 12 – Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre
December 13 – Oshawa, ON – Civic
Auditorium
December 14 – Kitchener, ON – Centre in the Square
December 15 – Windsor, ON -
Chrysler Theatre
December 16 – Welland, ON – Centennial Secondary School
December 17 – Hamilton, ON – Hamilton Place Theatre
December 19 – Brantford, ON – Sanderson Centre
*Show times all 7:00 pm except for
Brantford, which is 2:00 pm.
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September 21,
2005
Rita MacNeil to receive Order of Nova Scotia
Canadian Press
HALIFAX -- A former judge, a
popular musician, and a World War Two veteran are among five
people who will be recognized this year with the Order of Nova
Scotia. Constance Glube, Rita MacNeil and Jack Yazer headline
the list released Wednesday by Premier John Hamm.
"This year's recipients are
representative of the diversity of talent and excellence in this
province," Hamm said in a release.
Glube, of Halifax, became the
first female justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia when
she was appointed the court's chief justice.
She served as chief justice from
1982 to 1998. From 1998 to 2004, she was the chief justice of
Nova Scotia and chief justice of the Appeal Court.
MacNeil,
a native of Big Pond, has recorded more than 20 albums during a
lengthy singing career.
She is a member of the Order of Canada, holds honourary degrees
from five universities, and has won numerous Canadian Country
Music Awards, Junos and East Coast Music Awards.
Yazer, of Sydney, is a successful
businessman, World War Two veteran and community activist who
was the founding chairman of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital
Foundation.
Through his work with young people
in the province, he was instrumental in establishing the
province's graduated licence program, and championed the Youth
Speaks Up program, which helps Grade 6 students cope with drugs,
alcohol, tobacco, violence, racism and peer pressure.
This year's other recipients are
Theresa McNeil of Granville Ferry and Cyril Reddy of New
Glasgow.
McNeil, a mother of 17, is the
first woman in Canada to be named a high sheriff. She held the
post in Annapolis County.
Reddy was instrumental in the
development of the Department of Community Services and was
executive director of the Children's Aid Society in Pictou
County.
The recipients were selected from
109 nominations across the province.
They will be recognized during a Nov. 1 ceremony at Province
House.
The Order of Nova Scotia was
established in 2001. Ten people were selected as inaugural
members in 2002, with no more than five people being selected
every year after that.
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September 21, 2005
2005 Order of Nova Scotia Recipients Announced Premier's Office
Premier John Hamm announced the
recipients of the 2005 Order of Nova Scotia today (September
21st). Five people were selected from 109 nominations from
across the province. They are: Rita MacNeil and Jack
Yazer of Sydney; Constance Glube of Halifax; the late Cyril
Reddy of New Glasgow; and Theresa McNeil of Granville Ferry,
Annapolis County. They will be recognized at a ceremony at
Province House in Halifax on Tuesday, November 1st.
The Order of Nova Scotia was
established in 2001 and is the highest honour bestowed by the
province.
A public administrator, a
musician, and a World War II veteran are among five Nova
Scotians being recognized this year with the Order of Nova
Scotia. The 2005 recipients were announced today, Sept. 21 by
Premier John Hamm.
"This year's recipients are
representative of the diversity of talent and excellence in this
province," said Premier Hamm. "The Order of Nova Scotia is the
highest honour awarded by this province. These recipients have
brought honour and prestige to themselves, their communities,
and our province through their contribution to the cultural,
social and economic well-being of our province."
The 2005 recipients are:
-- Rita MacNeil, Sydney, Cape
Breton Regional Municipality, has recorded more than 20 albums,
set sales records and had top-10 hits in Canada, Australia and
the United Kingdom. She is a member of the Order of Canada,
holds honourary degrees from five universities and has won
numerous Canadian Country Music Awards, Junos and East Coast
Music Awards. Ms. MacNeil is an entrepreneur, television host,
author and cultural ambassador for Nova Scotia.
-- Constance Glube, Halifax,
Halifax Regional Municipality, has been a pioneer in the field
of law. She was the first female justice of the Supreme Court of
Nova Scotia and when she was appointed chief justice of the
Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, she was the first woman in Canada
to be named to this position. She served as chief justice from
1982 to 1998. From 1998 to 2004 she was the chief justice of
Nova Scotia and chief justice of the Court of Appeal of Nova
Scotia. A judicial leader and mentor who has won the admiration
and respect of her peers, she has been active in the areas of
judicial education and administration.
-- Theresa McNeil, Granville
Ferry, Annapolis Co., is a role model, not only for her 17
children, but also for women in adversity everywhere. After the
sudden death of her husband and with seven children under 10
years old at home, Ms. McNeil entered the workforce for the
first time. She became high sheriff of Annapolis County, the
first woman in Canada to be named to the position. She has
volunteered for many community causes including the Heart and
Stroke Foundation, the Arthritis and Alzheimer's societies and
Meals on Wheels. She continues to volunteer in the gift shop at
Soldier's Memorial Hospital in Middleton for the ladies
auxiliary.
-- Cyril Reddy, New Glasgow,
Pictou Co., was instrumental in the development of the
Department of Community Services. He was the regional
administrator of Community Services and executive director of
the Children's Aid Society in Pictou County. His sense of
fairness and compassion for people extended to such causes as
Christmas Daddies and the fund to assist families of the victims
of the Westray mine disaster. Mr. Reddy died on Oct. 5, 2004.
-- Jack Yazer, Sydney, Cape Breton
Regional Municipality, is a successful businessman, World War II
veteran, community activist and tireless volunteer. He was the
founding chairman of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital
Foundation which raised funds for Cape Bretons first regional
hospital. Through his work with young people in the province he
was instrumental in establishing the province's graduated
licence program, and championed the Youth Speaks Up program
which helps Grade 6 students cope with drugs, alcohol, tobacco,
violence, racism and peer pressure.
The recipients were selected by
the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council from 109 nominations
received from across the province.
The 2005 recipients will be
recognized at an investiture ceremony at Province House in
Halifax on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
The Order of Nova Scotia was
established in June 2001. Ten people were selected as inaugural
members in 2002, with no more than five people being selected as
recipients in the following years. Recipients have the right to
use the initials O.N.S. after their names.
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SEPTEMBER 10, 2005
Cape Breton
Songstress Returns
Brandon Sun -
By: Joanne F.
Villeneuve
It quickly becomes apparent that
family, like music, plays a big role in the life of Rita MacNeil.
As she talked about her
grandchild’s first day in kindergarten yesterday, it was obvious
that family, friends and life experiences have fuelled her
imagination and helped produce the songs she has created in the
more than three decades she has been a songwriter.
Now a familiar name on the
Canadian musical landscape, MacNeil returns to Brandon with her
vast portfolio of songs, sharing those very personal yet
universal themes in her new CD Blue Roses and the 20 recordings
that preceded it.
“This new CD is a collection of
songs — some new and two of them are older — and all of them
I’ve written. It’s a nice non-themed CD,” says MacNeil, whose
instrumental backup on the tour features the two musicians who
produced the album, guitarist Chris Corrigan and keyboardist Kim
Dunn.
“My songs for the new CD come from
living your life and the people that you meet and the places
that you travel to. They run the gamut from love to home to
heart to hope. There’s all those themes running through it.”
For this tour, the singer promises
to introduce some of the cuts on her newest album along with
crowd favourites from the past. “I’ll cover a wide perspective
of my music,” says MacNeil, who is actually finishing a tour she
began in the spring which she had had to interrupt due to
illness.
Though she is far from her home
when performing in Prairie cities and towns, MacNeil is looking
forward to her show here.
“I love touring out this way. It’s
always a pleasure. People have always been very kind to me. I’m
a hometown girl, so it’s always a treat to play all the markets
and though I don’t get a lot of time to look around, the people
are where I get my reading on the place I’m at. When I meet
folks after the show, that’s the best part of it,” says MacNeil.
“It’s the warmth that’s always
overwhelming and you feel safe, and it’s a very good feeling to
have when you’re on tour.”
MacNeil will give one concert in
the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium this evening at 7
p.m. For ticket information, call: 728-9510.
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JUNE 2005
Taping of "Rita MacNeil's Cape
Breton" TV special
Leopard Productions Inc. and CTV
present the return of Canada's favourite singer-songwriter in an
all-new, all-star music special being taped this June. “Rita
MacNeil’s Cape Breton,” starring Rita MacNeil, spotlights the
culture, music, and history of Cape Breton.
This once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity will see Rita welcoming diverse guests such as Jimmy
Rankin, Aselin Debison, Ashley MacIsaac, Men of the Deeps,
Beolach, Gary Beals (from Canadian Idol), and renowned gospel
singer Mavis Staples to the beautiful Island of Cape Breton on
Canada's East Coast, featuring such scenic highlights as Iona,
Mabou, Arichat, Big Pond, The Cabot Trail, Neil's Harbour,
Keltic Lodge, and Glace Bay's Savoy Theatre.
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June 14, 2005: Red
Shoe Pub Taping- Mabou, NS
      
       
Please refer to the schedule below
for taping information. Admission is FREE, but please note that
reserving a spot in the audience DOES NOT guarantee admission.
We will be admitting audience members into the tapings on a
first come, first served basis, but you must have a ticket
reservation placed in order to secure a spot in line. You should
consider lining up at least thirty minutes prior to showtime.
You may book tickets for more than one taping session, but you
may not book more than four tickets at a time. Once at the
taping, please understand that there will likely be some stops
and starts throughout the night, but we request that the
audience stay for the entire duration of the taping.
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MAY
2005
Rita
regrets to having had to end her Canadian tour prematurely, due
to hospitalization from a stomach infection, but she is back
home and now on the mend. Sincere apologies to all those who had
planned on seeing Rita in concert.
However,
all cancelled dates have been re-scheduled for early fall, and
are now posted under the 'Tour Dates' section. Additionally,
Rita was to have performed as part of a tribute concert to John
Allan Cameron in Halifax at the Rebecca Cohn on May 19. She
regretfully will now not be able to partake, but the show
promises to be a smashing night of entertainment in honor of a
true Canadian legend and should not be missed.
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APRIL
2005
Rita
MacNeil brings her signature voice to concert halls for a spring
tour visiting 20 cities in five provinces.
The
recent recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award
at the East Coast
Music Awards, MacNeil’s performance will be an intimate
evening showcasing her new CD Blue Roses as well as hit songs,
and a mix of rarely performed music from her 19 previous albums.
2005
marks not only the singer’s 60th year, but also the 30th
anniversary of her first recording, “Born A Woman”. In
celebration, this CD as well as “Part of the Mystery” and
“I’m Not What I Seem”, will be released for the first time
on CD. These recordings represent a turning point in Rita’s
life and a treasure chest of special memories. They will not be
available at retail, but sold only on-line before the start of
the tour and at the concerts.
“An
Evening with Rita MacNeil” promises to be an entertaining,
enlightening and eclectic night of music and laughter not to be
missed.
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FEBRUARY
2005
Rita
was the recipient of the "Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime
Achievement Award" at the 2005 East Coast Music Awards,
presented live from Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Article
excerpt from the Halifax Herald by Stephen Cooke:
 "Other
celebratory Nova Scotians included the grand dame of Cape Breton
song, Rita MacNeil, who was honoured with the Dr. Helen
Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of singing
about her home and supporting East Coast musicians.
 An
all-star tribute featured the Big Pond singer's famous
compositions performed by the likes of soul man Dutch Robinson,
Mabou singer-songwriter Jimmy Rankin, female vocal trio Shaye
and Cape Breton rock legend Matt Minglewood, singing a stirring
rendition of Working Man backed by the Men of the Deeps coal
miners choir".
Rita
MacNeil Tribute Photos
by Kimberley, Island View Creations
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December 21, 2004
PRESS RELEASE:
Rita Wraps up Farewell Christmas Tour and Receives ECMA
Nomination
Rita
MacNeil Wraps Up Farewell Christmas Tour with Men of the Deeps
and Receives ECMA Nomination for Female Artist of the Year Rita
MacNeil and the Men of the Deeps - The two have become sort of
an institution in this country ever since they teamed up to play
Expo '86 in Vancouver. MacNeil's quivering voice and her
heart-rending song "Working Man" combined with the
helmeted, coal miners' choir bring tears to the eyes of a nation
that had lost more than its fair share of men pulling resources
from the ground. Those early shows also helped cast a light on
all the hidden musical treasures buried on Nova Scotia's Cape
Breton Island, sparking an interest in east coast Celtic music
that continues to this day.
For
the past five years, MacNeil and the Men of the Deeps have been
celebrating this Cape Breton tradition every winter with a
special Christmas tour. "This is our farewell Christmas
tour together," MacNeil said in a recent interview from her
home in Sydney, N.S. "We'll be doing our own things
(after), but as far as performing together this is our last
tour. We're going to be saying goodbye to folks at these shows
and it's very emotional."
With
four Christmas albums in her discography and a 1993 holiday
special on CBC-TV that drew two million viewers,
singer-songwriter Rita MacNeil is practically synonymous with
Christmas in Canada. On the importance of the Christmas song:
"I've always talked up Christmas in my life. I think it
brings out the child in all of us and I've written a fair bit of
Christmas music. It's one of my favorite times of the year to be
out touring too. Folks seem to be in a very up mood. I realize
Christmas isn't peachy creamy for everyone in this world, but
it's good to have that certain amount of hope inside you that
you can go forward."
In
her 60th year, Rita continues to maintain a heavy work schedule.
She recorded her 20th career release "Blue Roses",
fulfilled a critically acclaimed and commercially successful
national tour , is selected as the 2005 ECMA Lifetime
Achievement Award Recipient and most recently, received a
nominated for ECMA 2005 Female Artist of the Year.
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December
17, 2004
Rita
has been nominated for the ECMA 'Female Artist Of The Year'
award! The East Coast Music Awards will take place
February 17-20, 2005 in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. For
more information and a complete list of nominees, please visit www.ecma.ca
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Monday,
December 13, 2004
Rita on the Trailer Park Boys, etc.
By Heath McCoy - The Calgary Herald
With
four Christmas albums in her discography and a 1993 holiday
special on CBC-TV that drew two million viewers,
singer-songwriter Rita MacNeil is practically synonymous with
Christmas in Canada.
The
season to be jolly has always been a great source of inspiration
for the Canadian icon from Big Pond, N.S.
In
advance her sold-out show tomorrow at Centrepointe Theatre, the
60-year-old Cape Breton songstress talked about her special
connection to Christmas, her latest CD, Blue Roses, her troubled
past and her wholly unexpected and infinitely cool appearance on
an episode this year of TV's Trailer Park Boys.
On
working with Men of the Deeps: "In the '70s I wrote the
song Working Man (about the coal miners in
Sydney
Mines) and I got the chance to sing it with the Men of the
Deeps. That's what brought us together. They bring such an
amazing warmth to the stage because everything they sing about,
they've lived. ... The idea of the Christmas tour came much
later. ... We've done the show a number of times now since 1999
and we decided to do it one last time this year. We wanted to go
out on a high note."
On
songwriting: MacNeil has been particularly prolific of late, and
her latest album, Blue Roses is her first in 10 years to contain
all-original material.
"It
comes and it goes. There will be months of nothing, then all of
a sudden you're hit with some kind of inspiration. Every song
you write you think 'Oh, that's it. There probably won't be
another.' But they keep coming, luckily. They creep in and
out."
On
the importance of the Christmas song: "I've always talked
up Christmas in my life. I think it brings out the child in all
of us and I've written a fair bit of Christmas music. It's one
of my favourite times of the year to be out touring too. Folks
seem to be in a very up mood. I realize Christmas isn't peachy
creamy for everyone in this world, but it's good to have that
certain amount of hope inside you that you can go forward."
On
the power of music and how it helped her overcome a life of
hardships -- sexual abuse, weight problems, failed marriages,
poverty, a cleft palate as a child: "I think singing helped
me overcome, period. Music is one of the greatest joys we have
in this world. ... But having said that, people are faced with
challenges every day that are greater."
On
her appearance in Trailer Park Boys, where Rita's tour bus is
hijacked and she and her band are forced to help the boys
harvest their marijuana crop: "They approached me to go on
the show and at first I thought, 'Well, I'm not sure that would
be a good mix.' But when I read the script I said, 'My God, I've
got to do this, it's too funny.' And I'm glad I did. It was just
a blast."
On
the reaction of Rita's conservative fans to the Trailer Park
Boys appearance: "I don't think my fans took offence. I
think they thought it was a fun thing I did and they were glad I
had the gumption to do it. I don't know how many of my fans
would be fans of the show, but I have a sneaky feeling some of
them are closeted fans. I got too many e-mails for there not to
be."
BACK
TO TOP
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December
12, 2004
Down East dynamite
James Reaney, London Free Press
Rita
MacNeil brought a lot of her coal-mining friends and a taste of
Christmas in Cape Breton to a sold-out Centennial Hall last
night. The Cape Breton singer-songwriter teamed with the Men of
the Deeps -- the island's famous miners' choir -- for a concert
strong in Down East warmth and bursts of gospel fire before an
audience of 1,602 fans.
"I
make a mean cup of tea, I tell you," MacNeil smiled before
going on to recall how the grownups she knew as a child in Big
Pond, N.S, brewed some special tea at Christmas time. The more
company, the stronger the brew.
MacNeil
denied she would ever serve visitors to her Big Pond restaurant
and store any such mixed drink.
But
last night's concert proved that as a musical brew, MacNeil,
combined with the Men, is heady stuff.
The
Cape Breton stars each carried off their individual parts of the
show in the first half, but when they teamed up for the second
half, it was Down East dynamite.
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