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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2007-01-25, Page 18THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2007. PAGE 19.Entertainment Leisure&Rita MacNeil coming through Blyth After a cancellation due to illness, Rita MacNeil is healthy and ready to hit the road in February. MacNeil will stop in Blyth on March 7 on her 11-stop tour that will take her through Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick as well as eight stops in Ontario. MacNeil’s original date in Blyth was Dec. 9, however tickets for the original show will be honoured on the new date in March. MacNeil is touring in support of her latest album, Songs my Mother Loved. MacNeil’s 21st offering is an album of covers featuring 13 songs from her youth. “I chose the songs because they were songs that I used to sing for my parents years ago,” MacNeil says. “They were actual favourites of my mother’s and some of my father’s and when I went to put the album together, that’s how I came up with the choices.” MacNeil says that she is happy with the songs that she chose, but with her mother’s taste and love of music, it was a hard list to put together. “There was a much bigger list, but these on the album are the ones I probably remember the most. In that sense it wasn’t too bad, but I could easily do another album of their favourites as well.” “My mother had very eclectic taste in music. She loved to listen to the radio and certain songs would catch her ear. She was also a great inspiration for me in my life. She was always encouraging me to sing, so it was a whole combination because she tried to get me out of my shell and I would love to sing these songs. They were favourites of the time.” Covering such classic songs was something that MacNeil says she’ll never forget adding that the album is almost like a time capsule containing songs of the time when she was young. “I think the album reflects the music that was playing at the time on the radio. That’s why they were chosen and they’re songs that have stood the test of time.” “I mean, a song like You’ll Never Walk Alone is a profound piece of music with some amazing lyrics and sentiments and I think that’s what music is all about. It’s connecting to people that keeps you in this business and keeps the music going around.” MacNeil says that making this album was like a trip down memory lane, but new material is always on her agenda. “Well it was just a thought of making a tribute to my mother really. I’ve done my own music for a long, long time and I’ll continue to do so, but this was a fun project for me, very different from anything I’ve ever done.” “I certainly enjoyed it and singing the songs again and recording the album brought back a lot of great memories for me.” Songs my Mother Loved is something that has been on MacNeil’s mind for a while and it was a project that came quite easily to her, singing these songs again after so many years. “It was certainly a joyous experience to record this album because it would be the first time I would be singing these songs in many, many years. It was a great experience and I’m just very happy that I did it. It’s a project that I have thought about for some time and the timing seemed to be right.” “The songs just came back to me. I didn’t have a lot of angst over them, they just came back with the memories and it was a really unique experience.” The Rita MacNeil live show should be a unique experience as well. MacNeil says the concerts on this tour will be comprised of two parts. The first half of the show will be old favourites from MacNeil’s past and the second half will be songs from the new album, a concept she is very excited about. “Certainly when we do the shows, we’ll be doing songs that people have requested over the years, songs that I do and the second half of the show will be from Songs my Mother Loved. It’s neat to see the reactions with people because it brings back memories with a lot of these folks, so it’s a little like a journey in a way,” MacNeil said. “Hopefully we’ll all have a good time.” MacNeil has been having a good time with folks for over 30 years, with an illustrious career in the books, she says that she has a lot to be thankful for. “I think I’ve achieved success because of my love of music which was pretty profound. I have a great passion for it and that’s all I ever wanted to do, so I was very fortunate that I’ve been able to pursue this career and I think people who have supported what I do are the reason I’m still able to tour after 30 years in the business.” “I think I’ve been surrounded by a lot of great people. I work with great musicians and I have a wonderful family and siblings and people wishing me well and coming from [Cape Breton] has kept me grounded. I feel very fortunate that after a tour I can come home and enjoy the beauty here.” Although MacNeil loves her home in Cape Breton, she does like to tour, especially across Canada. And now that she’s healthy she is more than ready to get out on the road. “I had to cancel the whole December tour, but I’m doing well now and I’m looking forward to getting out.” “I love getting out on the road and seeing the folks and doing what I do. It’s a great joy for me.” Healthy and ready to sing Rita MacNeil, after having to cancel her tour dates in December due to illness, is healthy and ready to get back on the road in February and March, including a stop in Blyth. MacNeil is touring in support of her newest album, Songs My Mother Loved, an album comprised of cover songs from her childhood. (Courtesy photo) Randy Stanlake, board chair, and the United Way board of directors are thrilled to announce that the community of Huron County and Grand Bend have met the challenge for the third year in a row, raising the most money ever for the Huron United Way, $250,000. United Way acknowledge the volunteers who tirelessly worked on the 2006 campaign and the countless donors who generously supported the Huron United Way. Stanlake said, “We had a very dedicated staff team and an enthusiastic group of employee campaign co-ordinators who did a tremendous job in their workplaces. We also feel that the work we are doing with the Community Matters Consultation process has been raising awareness and educating people about how we do make a difference in their community.” Highlights of this campaign would be the record achievements at Sifto, Dashwood Industries and both the public and separate school campaigns. Another successful Amazing Race and the CN Tower Climb both added significant revenue to the campaign. “What a thrill to announce achievement of our goal. Our volunteer and staff team worked relentlessly to achieve this goal and we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated or volunteered this year … we simply could not do it without you!” stated Kimberley Payne, United Way executive director. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who made a contribution of their very valuable resources of time and money,” added Stanlake. “Your support will make a difference in the health and well being of your community in the coming year, congratulations on another outstanding success. Payne reported, “We are waiting final numbers to be tabulated from a few workplaces that are just finalizing their campaigns, however we can say that we are presently over $250,000.” The Huron United Way is a local non-profit agency investing in Huron County through its 12 funded agencies. For more information, please contact the Huron United Way at 519-524-7900 or e-mail: huronunitedway@tcc.on.ca Huron United Way raises largest amount in its history, $250,000 Happy 10th Birthday LL ee xx ii January 25 Love Mom, Dad, Delayna, Hudson & Bennett FF aa ii tt hh --II nn --SS oo nn gg CC oo nn cc ee rr tt ##55 Sat., February 3 at 8 pm Tickets $10 (advance) $12 (door) $30 (family) $35 (door) Outlet Luann’s Country Flowers - Blyth Featuring Watchmen & Kirby Cook MC ~ Bill Townsend Sponsored by ~ ABC Women’s Ministry Blyth Memorial Hall The Brubachers of Ethel Restaurant & Bakery Real Home Cooking Try our Cinnamon Buns 519-887-8659 Mon. - Fri. 7-6:30; Sat. 8-6:30, Sunday Closed By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen There's a better way to move that old furniture... TThhee CCiittiizzeenn 552233--44779922 oorr 888877--99111144 AADDVVEERRTTIISSEE IINN TTHHEE CCLLAASSSSIIFFIIEEDDSS!! Unload your unwanted items and pick up some quick cash! One Call Moves It All