ECMA Announces Stages and Performers
for 2002
December 21, 2001 - whttp://www.ecma.ca
Saint John - The East Coast Music Association has a diverse array of stages
and performers confirmed for the 2002 edition of the East Coast Music Awards
& Conference. This year's event is set for Saint John, New Brunswick from
January 31 to February 3, 2002.
The annual three night Concert Series is just one way the public is invited
to share the excitement during ECMA weekend. It takes place at the beautiful
Imperial Theatre and features some of Atlantic Canada's top acts.
Thursday's show, entitled UniSon, highlights the Anglophone and Francophone
traditions in New Brunswick, Canada's only official bilingual province.
Co-hosted by multi-ECMA award winner, Lennie Gallant, and ECMA 2002 Francophone
Recording of the Year nominee, Ronald Bourgeois, the evening also features Terry
Kelly, Danny Boudreau, Brent Mason, and Les Muses. Performed in an environment
of mutual respect, UniSon demonstrates that music is a universal language.
Friday's "Country Night" features ECMA 2001 country nominee and
showcase artist JR Vautour; Canadian Country Music Showcase performers The
Guthries; and ECMA 2001 Country Artist of the Year Julian Austin.
ECMA 2002 five-time nominees Crush perform in a Pop/Rock night full of
nominees and the East Coast's latest stars, including four-time nominees MIR,
two-time ECMA winner Kim Stockwood, and double nominee and Saint John native,
Jessica Rhaye.
The Imperial Theatre will also play host to the newly expanded
Jazz/Blues/Classical Series, and will feature some of the best talent Atlantic
Canada has to offer in these genres. Performances will be 10 pm until midnight
on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, with a special Sunday afternoon show
from noon until 2 pm.
One of the most popular events during ECMA, the Songwriter's Circle, is a
showcase for Atlantic Canadian songwriters. Multiple nominees Bruce Guthro and
Jimmy Rankin each host one-hour songwriter circles with new talent and
international "heavyweights" who perform their songs and share their
stories about their inspirations and successes.
Saint John also brings two new stages to ECMA weekend - the ECMA Roots Room
and the Bluegrass stage. The ECMA Roots Room at the Saint John Hilton,
highlights acoustic music of many genres in an intimate atmosphere. Fifteen
artists perform over three matinees and offer an open mic late-night for people
to drop by.
Ground Hog Day at the Market Square Atrium on Saturday, February 2 features a
morning Children's Concert and a noon-hour Bluegrass show with five ECMA
Bluegrass nominees. Both of these shows are free of charge and open to the
public.
Tickets are now on sale for the Concert Series, Jazz/Blues/Classical Series,
and the Awards Show and can be purchased at Harbour Station, Imperial Theatre
and selected Irving Mainway Outlets or by calling 506-657-1234 or 506-674-4100.
A box office outlet will also be available at the Trade & Convention Centre
throughout ECMA weekend for all the events. Tickets for all other ECMA events
will be sold at the door of each venue.
*All ticket prices include taxes and applicable service charges.
*Tickets subject to availability.
To find out more information about the artists performing, visit the ECMA
website at www.ecma.ca.
Jimmy Rankin Featured in Celtic Heritage Magazine
December 17, 2001 - Celtic Heritage Magazine
The November/December 2001 issue of Celtic Heritage Magazine contains an
article on Jimmy Rankin.
"It's been two years since the Rankins last played together as a family.
Since then songwriter Jimmy Rankin has had a lot to deal with, including the
accidental death of his older brother John Morris. Now he's back with his own
single in his very own style.
You can order the magazine online with a subscription via their
website, or pick it up at
your local newsstand in Canada.
A tribute to John Morris Rankin was included in the March/April 2000 issue,
which you can order
here.
Heather Rankin appearing in Musical in
Toronto
December 16, 2001
Heather Rankin appears in Necessary Angel Theatre's
musical "The Piper" in Toronto, Ontario at the Factory Theatre
Mainspace from February 8 to March 3, 2002.
A mad-cap romp with music, verse and an ensemble cast of over
twenty actors. The Piper is a subversive, haunting tale of greed and
retribution, loosely based on Robert Browning's poem The Pied Piper of Hamelin,
presented by the director and company of last year's mesmerizing Clout.
For complete details, visit the 2002
Concerts Page.
Jimmy Rankin receives 6 ECMA Award Nominations
Awards to be broadcast Nationally February 3, 2002
December 6, 2001 - EMI Music Canada
HALIFAX, NS: Jimmy Rankin was recognized today with 6 ECMA
Award nominations. After ten years of touring, multiple hit singles and Juno
Awards with The Rankins (which disbanded in 1999), Jimmy Rankin is back with his
debut solo album Song Dog. Rankin s nominations include Male Artist of the Year,
SOCAN Songwriter of the Year, Single of the Year and Video of the Year for
"Followed Her Around", Country Artist/Group of the Year and Song Dog
was given the nod for Album of the Year.
Jimmy has this to say upon hearing the news of his nominations; "Song Dog
is my first solo project. I've got to say that these nominations are a very
special honour; a real nice homecoming validation." Jimmy is looking
forward to the 2002 East Coast Music Association Awards next year: "I'm
definitely excited about taking part in this year's ECMAs. In fact, in
celebration of the event, I'm planning to do a show at the Marquis Club to kick
off the ECMA weekend festivities right here in Halifax. After that, I'll head
over to Saint John where I'm just going to take it all in. "
Jimmy Rankin has completed a successful series of concert dates in Ontario, and
the East Coast, where his "homecoming" show in Halifax garnered
glowing front-page coverage in both of that city's major dailies! The Halifax
Daily News review raves: "Rankin sang and charmed away any doubts about his
return to the top rung of the East Coast's music scene." The tour continues
in February 2002 with a series of Western Canadian and new Ontario dates to be
announced soon.
The Annual ECMA Awards will be handed out on during a nationally broadcast
awards show on Sunday, February 3, 2002 from Saint John, New Brunswick. For the
latest news on Jimmy Rankin's activities and tour announcements, log on to www.jimmyrankin.com
Congratulations to Jimmy Rankin!
Nova Scotia Kitchen Party Christmas
Show
December 1, 2001 - Nova
Scotia Kitchen Party Website
The Nova Scotia Kitchen Party - http//www.novascotiakitchenparty.com
- will be having a Christmas music show on Saturday December 8th at 4pm ADT.
This show isn't live but will be music from CD's
Tune in and hear music from Rita MacNeil, Heather, Raylene
and Cookie Rankin, Les Méchants Macquereaux, Great Big Sea, Dave MacIssac,
The Ennis Sisters, Bruce Guthro, Rita and Mary Rankin, Nova Scotia Mass Choir,
John Gracie, Dave MacIsaac, Barra MacNeils and Ashley MacIsaac.
Best of the Huron Carole on CMT
November 13, 2001 - Huron
Carole Website
The Best of The Huron Carole
The Huron Carole. It's a Canadian tradition of giving that has
kept growing and giving more and more during the holiday season since the mid
'80s.
Beloved Canadian actor, singer and humanitarian, Tom Jackson,
has taken his band of music makers across Canada from coast to coast each year,
spreading the word about the plights of our country's homeless and less
fortunate and raising aid for our national network of food banks. We give what
we can at a time infused by the spirit of giving, and in turn we get an evening
of inspired and top notch music from some of Canada's premiere artists.
Since it began, The Huron Carole has brought to its stage the
likes of Natalie MacMaster, The Rankins, Amy Sky, Michael Burgess, Beverley
Mahood, Lisa Brokop, Tara Lyn Hart, Adam Gregory, Bruce Guthro and many, many
more of Canada's finest musicians. As this year's tour gears up to hit the road
from Halifax to Victoria, join CMT in re-visiting some of the best performances
from the last five years with "The Best of The Huron Carole". It's an
hour of inspirational music to set the mood for a very special time of year.
Watch "The Best of The Huron Carole"...only on CMT
Canada.
Thursday, November 1 - 8pm & 11pm EST
Friday, November 9th - 10pm EST
Tuesday, November 13 - 8pm & 11pm EST
Wednesday, November 21 - Midnight EST
The Helen Creighton Story
November 6, 2001 - National Film Board of
Canada
In August 2000, The National Film Board of Canada filmed Raylene
Rankin's performance at the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival as part of a
documentary on the life of Helen Creighton. This video is called "A
Sigh and a Wish: The Helen Creighton Story."
A Sigh and a Wish tells the story of pioneer folklorist Helen
Creighton and of the enduring appeal of her remarkable collections of song and
story. Creighton helped define Maritime culture as we know it. Thanks to her,
folk songs moved out of the kitchens and the fishing boats and into the
mainstream. Top contemporary Maritime musicians - talents like Mary Jane Lamond
and Lennie Gallant - describe how deeply they have been influenced by Creighton.
For 60 years, Creighton sought out ghost stories, superstitions and tales of
buried treasure, as well as songs handed down from generation to generation:
fishing songs, work songs, love songs. Timeless songs.
A Sigh and a Wish is a moving tribute to the genius of a self-taught
folklorist and to the continuing strength of the deep oral traditions she helped
preserve. But it also raises important questions. Does Creighton's collection
truly reflect Maritime culture, or is it tinged by her own upper-middle-class
assumptions?
Besides Raylene, other musicians appearing in this documentary include Teresa
Doyle, Mary Jane Lamond, Pete Seeger, and Lennie Gallant. Ashley MacIsaac
provides the narration and there is also original music of Mary Jane Lamond's.
You can hear some clips of the performers here - http://www.onf.ca/sigh/
The film was released recently and is available for purchase in VHS format at
$15.95 CDN (for limited time) regular price $19.95 CDN for home viewing (item
#143H9101032) or $39.95 for public viewing (#143C9101032), plus shipping and
handling ($3.50) and applicable taxes.
Please note: Home viewing : Restricted to home consumers for personal
use. Public viewing : Cleared for classroom use and public performance,
provided no entry fee is charged.
Ordering is easy!
By e-mail: You can order now by contacting Aline at a.bourgeois-champagne@onf.ca,
providing complete shipping and invoicing addresses, telephone number and
P.O. number. Institutions can be invoiced. We accept American Express,
Visa or MasterCard, cheques and money orders (payable to the Receiver General
for Canada). If you wish to pay by credit card, we will need your
number, expiry date and the name that appears on the card. Orders paid
by cheque and money order will be processed upon receipt of payment (see
addresses provided below). Please note that e-mail exchanges are not
secure, so if you prefer not to transmit your information through this
channel, I invite you to call our toll-free number listed below.
By mail: You may send a check or money order (payable to the Receiver
General for Canada) to: NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA, Customer Services D-10,
P.O. Box 6100, Station Centreville, Montreal, QC H3C 3H5, CANADA
By phone: From anywhere in Canada, toll-free 1-800-267-7710 or locally
(514) 283-9000, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM, Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to
8 PM (ET). I or one of our able agents will gladly accept your order and
answer your questions. If you're in the US, call toll-free
1-800-542-2164.
By fax: (514) 283-7564, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
For more information on over 10,000 NFB titles, visit our Web site
regularly at http://www.nfb.ca
.
Jimmy Rankin part of 2001 Nova Scotia
Music Week
October 27, 2001 - MIANS
Nova Scotia Music Week 2001 is proud to announce Jimmy Rankin as this year’s
host of the Songwriters Circle Luncheon at the Guild Hall, Holiday Inn Select,
Halifax, NS, November 3, 12:30pm.
Jimmy Rankin will be taking the leading seat at NSMW’s annual songwriters
circle performance. He will share the spotlight on Nova Scotia talent with
Paul Lamb of Crush, Ruth Minnikin of The Guthries, Lisa Myers-Hall of Good
Question and Carlo Spinazzola.
This year’s Songwriters Circle is standing by with tradition with a
spectacular line-up. Jimmy Rankin has been a huge songwriting force locally
and internationally with The Rankin Family and now with his solo project,
Songdog. Paul Lamb is no stranger to the muse, either. Following all of the
years as a performer and writer, he is causing new sensations with his band
Crush. Ruth Minnikin is a local darling with her voice and style adding a soft
beauty to The Guthries and other projects like the Heavy Blinkers. Lisa
Myers-Hall follows along in this pattern of songwriters with years of
chops. She brings to the circle sounds that move from an airy melody to
a rocking jolt. And last but not least, we present a songwriter the province
is buzzing about - Carlo Spinazzola. His roots background, guitar work and
smart song structures will impress all.
Every year the Songwriters Circle sells out, so don’t pass by the
opportunity to dine and hear these great songwriters. Tickets price is $25 for
member early registration and $30 at the door. Lunch is provided. The
registration line is 902-423-5587 or 1-888-343-6426 (in NS only).
Heather Rankin featured on new
recording by William Ackerman
October 24, 2001
For fans of Heather Rankin, you can hear her perform on William Ackerman's
new CD "Healing Voices." Ackerman is an instrumental artist and
this is his first album featuring vocals. Heather contributes lead vocals
to 3 tracks: "Walk with Me," "River," and "Beneath The
Tree."
Heather recorded these songs this past June in Vermont. She lends a
blend of Gaelic words and sounds on the new-age recording by this new-age guitar
player.
To hear sound clips or to purchase the CD, visit the Discography
Page.
Howie MacDonald joins Jimmy Rankin for
Cape Breton dates
October 23, 2001
Press Release
Cape Breton's fiddlin' funny man Howie MacDonald will join his old pal Jimmy
Rankin as they head out on tour in early November. MacDonald who made for some
HOT fiddle moments at Jimmy's Sydney waterfront show this past summer will be an
added bonus to the show. Howie will open the show and return to do some Rankin's
favorites towards the end of the performance.
Dates are :
Strathspey Place - Mabou - November 7th
Savoy Theatre - Glace Bay - November 8th
Strathspey Place - Mabou - November 9th ( 2nd show SOLD OUT )
SAERC - Port Hawksbury - November 10th
MacDonald recently returned from the renowned " Valley of the Moon Fiddle
Camp " in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Northern California. The camp was
started 18 years ago by noted Scottish violinist Allister Fraser, now living in
California.
The camp has music for all genres including guitar, percussion and fiddle.
There were three types of fiddle music being taught, Scottish, Cape Breton and
Norweigan. Each fiddler would teach approximately 160 students.
Joining Howie was Tracey Dares, who taught piano for the tunes that he was
teaching the students. Both artists also played concerts in Berkley, California
and at the Santa Cruz Auditorium to standing ovations. MacDonald noted that the
"level of interest and passion for the Cape Breton music and culture
was booming...there was music 24 hours a day."
A highlight for MacDonald was to hear and see a whole orchestra playing his
tunes "Kilts on Fire "( MacDonald/Stubbert) and "Ann Marie
Barrie- Francis Aucoin's Jigs" in unison.
Howie also heads to Woodstock, NY......maybe a few decades too late for the big
festival but....just in time for a gig in the Catskill Mountains, American
Thanksgiving weekend Sunday November 25th 4-6 pm...Colony Cafe. Say hi to
Dylan!
Jimmy Rankin's Western Canada Tour
Postponed
September 27, 2001 - Jimmy
Rankin's Website
Press Release
Friends and fans,
Due to recent world events, Jimmy must regretfully postpone scheduled concerts
in Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Banff and Calgary. Jimmy remains as
excited as ever about these concerts, so they will be rescheduled for early
2002. Ticket holders who purchased tickets over the internet should contact
their local charge by phone outlet. Others should obtain refunds at the point of
purchase.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause for everyone who is
as eager to hear Jimmy's new material as he is to perform it. But hang tight,
we'll see you in the new year!
Maren Ord opening for Jimmy Rankin
September 12, 2001 - Maren
Ord Website
September and October opening
slots confirmed for Maren...
September 5, 2001
Armand S.
Nettwerk Communications
Vancouver, BC
Maren Ord has just recently had a
series of select tour dates confirmed as the opening act for three separate
artists: Sugar Jones, Cowboy Junkies and Jimmy Rankin. Maren's opening
slot for each will run through September and October.
Be sure to visit the tour dates section for a complete list of dates. Tickets
should be readily available through Ticketmaster or the venues themselves.
Jimmy Rankin unveils Canadian Tour
September 5, 2001 - Jam! Music
Cape Breton singer-songwriter Jimmy Rankin has lined up his first solo tour
since the break-up of The Rankin Family.
Rankin, who recently released his solo debut album "Song Dog," kicks
off the tour with a pair of shows in support of Cowboy Junkies: Oct. 4 at Guelph,
Ont.'s River Run Centre and Oct. 5 at Toronto's Convocation Hall.
The tour, which hits small theatres from coast-to-coast, wraps up Nov. 13, close
to Rankin's home base at Pictou, Nova Scotia's DeCoste Centre.
A release issued by the singer's website, JimmyRankin.com, said he will be
backed by a band at most shows, and the set will include both material from
"Song Dog" and Rankin Family favourites.
For the full tour itinerary, click here.
Jimmy Rankin on Land and Sea
August 30, 2001 - Halifax Herald
Jimmy Rankin has been in front of the TV cameras a lot lately.
The Mabou-born singer-songwriter was filmed for an episode of CBC's Land and
Sea this week.
The show will focus on creative people growing up on islands. Other artists
included are ECMA award-winning singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant, Cape
Breton-raised, award-winning author Alistair MacLeod and Cape Breton's young
Celtic band, The Cottars.
Holly Preston was in Halifax conducting the interviews for a future Land and
Sea show.
Rankin will open for the Cowboy Junkies in Toronto in October, before heading
out on a solo tour of Ontario and the West. Nova Scotia fans will see him in
concert in late October and early November.
Jimmy Rankin in Songwriters Series
August 30, 2001 - Halifax Herald
Bruce Guthro's Songwriters' Circle television series began shooting four more
episodes in Halifax last night.
Produced by CBC, the Sydney Mines singer-songwriter was joined by Susan
Aglukark and Jeff Healey.
On Friday night, Guthro will be joined by Jimmy Rankin and Dan Hill.
The series continues shooting next week, with Jane Siberry and Prairie
Oyster's Russell deCarle on Wednesday, while Colin James and Blue Rodeo's Jim
Cuddy wrap up the tapings on Sept. 7.
The series is expected to air early next year.
Guthro is about to embark on a tour of the Maritimes on Sept. 19, to promote
his latest CD, Guthro.
Klondike Days Videoclip
August 21, 2001
In July, Jimmy Rankin performed at Klondike Days in
Edmonton. Watch a clip from this performance here.
(You need Quicktime to view it which you can download for free here
if you don't have it). The clip is 3.7 Megs and you will have to wait for
it all to download before watching it.
"Song Dog" reviewed for
Celtic Cafe Canada
July 25, 2001
Jimmy Rankin's CD "Song Dog" has just been reviewed on
the Celtic Cafe Canada Website. You can read the review here - http://www.celticcafe.com/canada/cdreviews/jimmyrankincdreview.html
Jimmy Rankin to headline Sydney Outdoor
Concert
July 20, 2001
Jimmy Rankin, whose debut solo album hit record stores this
week, will headline Sydney's annual Action Week open-air concert on Aug. 11 at
the Government Wharf on Sydney's waterfront.
After 10 years of touring, numerous hit singles, multiple Juno
Awards and sales of over two-million albums with his siblings, The Rankins,
Jimmy Rankin emerges with his album Song Dog and moves into the realm of solo
singer-songwriter.
Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday at all Select-A-Seat and
Rolling Phones locations in Cape Breton. A limited number of advanced tickets
are available for $12.50, after which the price will be $15.
The concert was made possible through the co-operation between
the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's Recreation Department, Moosehead
Breweries and The Savoy Theatre.
The annual concert has featured well-known groups like The
Rankins, Bruce Guthro, Leahy and Rawlins Cross in past years.
For more info, visit www.islandviewcreations.com/rankins/concerts.htm
Jimmy Rankin on HMV's Website
July 19, 2001
From www.hmv.com:
"The guiding force behind the songs of Canada's beloved Rankin Family
emerges with his first solo album, packed full with rootsy tales of love, loss
and redemption. Rankin's debut as a solo artist is a real winner."
Jimmy Rankin Update
July 19, 2001
You can vote for Jimmy Rankin's album "Song
Dog" here on the JAM! Weekly Chart Battle - http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusic/jam_chartsbattle.html
You can rate Jimmy Rankin's song "Followed
Her Around" for Country 105 in Calgary here - http://www.country105.com/105kcall.html
and read what other people have to say about it!
"Followed Her Around" is at number 17 on the Top
30 Countdown on K94 FM in Sydney, NS, up from 21 last week.
Jimmy Rankin Calgary Interview
July 19, 2001
Jimmy Rankin was in Calgary, Alberta on Tuesday,
July 17th promoting his new album "Song Dog." While there, he
stopped in at Country 105 for an interview and for a live performance of
"Wasted." You can listen to the interview here - Jimmy
Rankin Country 105 Interview in Calgary. In order for it to work, you
must have the latest version of Windows Media Player (version 7.0). If you
don't have it, you can download it for free here - http://windowsmedia.com/download/download.asp
Jimmy Rankin's video on CMT Canada
Screening Room
July 15, 2001
Jimmy Rankin's video for "Followed Her
Around" will be shown on the CMT
Canada Screening Room Program, Monday July 16th at 4pm PDT & 8pm PDT
(which is 7/11pm EDT and 8pm/midnight ADT).
The video has been shown for the past few weeks
on CMT Canada throughout the day.
Jimmy Rankin interviewed on Magic 93 in
PEI
July 11, 2001
Jimmy Rankin was interviewed this morning on
Magic 93 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. He discussed his upcoming
release "Song Dog" and performed "Tripper" live. The
transcript will be available shortly. For now, here's a photo of him with
Morning Show host Paul Alan.
Jimmy Rankin visits Sydney Radio
Stations
July 5, 2001 - K94
Radio / CJCB
Jimmy Rankin stopped by the studios of K94 &
CJCB in Sydney, Nova Scotia today to promote his upcoming CD "Song
Dog", due for release on July 17th! Below are a couple of photos from
his visit, courtesy of K94.
Left Photo: Pictured L-R: Don Sharpe, Barry
MacKinnon, Jimmy Rankin; and Phil Thompson - July 5, 2001
Right Photo: Jimmy Rankin "Unplugged" -
Live in K-94 studio - Thursday July 5th!!
Jimmy Rankin's new video produced by
New Scotland Productions
 July
5, 2001 - New
Scotland Productions
Jimmy Rankin: Followed Her Around
Jimmy Rankin, primary songwriter of the world-renowned Rankin Family, moves
into the realm of the solo album. Recorded in spring 2001, Song Dog
comprises twelve tracks that break away from the traditional Celtic melodies
typically associated with The Rankins, favouring a more contemporary roots
rock/pop sound. New Scotland Pictures was invited to produce the video for the
album's first single, Followed Her Around.
Set in a small strip club in Nova Scotia, the video reflects upon the odd and
somewhat desperate mood that the surroundings evoke. Jimmy, unnoticed by the
crowd, moves seamlessly between vignette scenes.
Dancers perform, patrons linger and ogle and a drunken brawl breaks out - a
typical night at the club. The video wraps with Jimmy walking out onto the
street into dazzling daylight and driving off in a vintage car.
The clip was directed by Los Angeles based director George Dougherty, who has
worked extensively in the Film and Television Industry on over sixty music
videos, numerous commercials, and many major feature films.
The video appeared near the top of the charts at CMT within a few weeks of
its release and the song became a hit radio single.
Jimmy Rankin's new video on CMT Canada
& MuchMoreMusic
July 4, 2001
Jimmy Rankin's video for "Followed Her
Around," the first single from his upcoming release "Song Dog"
(release date July 17), is now playing on CMT Canada. You can request the
video by going here - http://www.cmtcanada.com/music/videorequest.asp
Let's make this video #1. The video has also been submitted to
MuchMoreMusic and you can request the video here - muchmoremail@muchmoremusic.com
New Cape Breton and Nova Scotia CD's,
featuring The Rankins
June 27, 2001
Stephen MacDonald Productions is pleased to
announce the release of two new compilation CDs featuring the recordings of some
of the most popular performers of Canada's East Coast. They are The Sounds of
Nova Scotia Volume Three and Cape Breton By Request.
The Sounds of Nova Scotia Volume Three is the newest addition to a series of
compilations that began with the release of Volume One in 1990 when it borrowed
its title from Tourism Nova Scotia's marketing theme for that year. That
collection is still a top seller and in 1997 achieved gold record status
reflecting both its popularity with local audiences and with tourists. The
majority of its sales are through gift shops as opposed to the more traditional
music store market. Volume One was the first musical product carried by Tall
Ships Trading Company of Waverley, Nova Scotia, one of the region's largest
distributors of tourist related products. Music has since grown to become one of
the most significant segments of its product line and the company now carries
titles from many regional music artists.
The Sounds of Nova Scotia Volume Three features tracks from some of today's most
popular local releases as well as several tracks that are now very difficult to
find elsewhere. Carolina Edward's "Nova Scotia" was a regional hit in
1977 and has never before been released on CD. Melanie Doane's "Harvest
Train" is her first recording, now difficult to find, and Cindy Church's
recording of Ron Hyne's "Atlantic Blue" is from a limited CBC release.
Volume Three also contains contributions from Lennie Gallant, Stan Rogers, J.P.
Cormier, Sons of Maxwell, Cyril MacPhee, Rita & Mary Rankin, The MacLean
Sisters, Evans & Doherty, John Campbelljohn, and The Garrison Brothers.
Cape Breton By Request, as the title suggests, features many of the most popular
recordings to come out of Cape Breton in recent years. From the perennial
favourite "Song For The Mira" to the classic recordings of "Rise
Again" and "The Island", this collection was assembled based on
popular requests at music stores and on local radio. Contributions come from the
island's best known performers including The Barra MacNeils, John Gracie, Matt
Minglewood, Buddy MacDonald, Raylene, Heather and Cookie Rankin, The Men
of the Deeps, Howie MacDonald, Buddy MacMaster, Ronnie MacEachern, John Allan
Cameron, and The Cape Breton Chorale. Many of the tracks on Cape Breton By
Request are no longer available as the original releases are "out of
print" or difficult to find. One track, "Fare Thee Well Love",
was recorded exclusively for this compilation. The Rankin Family's biggest hit
was rerecorded by eleven year old Fiona MacGillivray, daughter of songwriter
Allister MacGillivray, and produced by the ECMA award winning team of Gordie
Sampson and Fred Lavery.
THE SOUNDS OF NOVA SCOTIA VOLUME 3
Nova Scotia - Carolina Edwards
You'll Be Home Again - The Garrison Brothers
The Pull Of The Fundy Tide - Lennie Gallant
Harvest Train - Melanie Doane
L'Acadie - Cyril MacPhee
Bluenose - Stan Rogers
An Innis Aigh - Rita & Mary Rankin
Oceanside Again - Sons Of Maxwell
Sunny Sky Slide - John Campbelljohn
The Teazer - J.P. Cormier
Atlantic Blue - Cindy Church
Nova Scotia To Me - Cyril MacPhee
Rolling Home To Nova Scotia - Evans and Doherty with Jimmy Sweeny
Northern Lights - The MacLeans
CAPE BRETON BY REQUEST
The Island - The Barra MacNeils
Rise Again - Raylene Rankin
My Love, Cape Breton & Me - John Gracie
Song For The Mira - Matt Minglewood
Working Man - The Men Of The Deeps
You'll Be Home Again - Heather Rankin, Cookie Rankin & Doris Mason
Getting Dark Again - Buddy MacDonald
Song For Peace - The Barra MacNeils
Fare Thee Well Love - Fiona MacGillivray
Go Off On Your Way - Ronnie MacEachern
Dan R. Set - Buddy MacMaster
The Four Marys - John Allan Cameron
Scotch Music - Howie MacDonald
Sid Mar Chaidh an Cal a Dholaid - The Cape Breton Chorale
To purchase these CD's, click
here.
Heather Rankin interviewed on CBC-Radio
May 4, 2001
Today, Heather Rankin was interviewed on CBC's Richardson's
Roundup. Heather is currently playing Mary Magdalene in a production of
the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" which runs at the Neptune Theatre
in Halifax until June 3rd, 2001. Heather also reads a letter that was sent to
the Roundup by Tammy Gedak, from Meadow Lake SK, who wrote about the house where
she grew up. Listen
to the interview in RealAudio here.
Neptune extends Jesus's run to June 3
April 21, 2001 - Halifax Herald
By Andrea Nemetz / Entertainment Reporter
Nova Scotians can't get enough of Jesus Christ Superstar.
The production, which opened Friday at Neptune Theatre after three days
of sold-out previews, is more than 99 per cent sold-out for the run slated
to last till May 20.
"You can't get a ticket for love or money," said a beaming Ron
Ulrich in Neptune's lobby.
"So we've secured the rights to extend the run for two more weeks,
16 more performances."
Starring Alfie Zappacosta, Heather Rankin and Frank MacKay, Jesus
Christ Superstar will now play Tuesdays to Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at
4:30 and 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 7:30 p.m until June 3. A
pay-what-you-can performance is slated for Sunday (April 22) at 7:30 p.m.
The run would have been extended longer except that MacKay, who plays
Pilate, is leaving for Charlottetown where he will be in the Stan Rogers
musical review.
Ulrich speculates the appeal of the musical is due to a combination of
factors - the story of Jesus Christ, a story that everyone knows, Andrew
Lloyd Webber's reputation and the score.
"Jesus Christ Superstar is a great score, one of Webber's best with
the greatest variety of songs, more singable music. It's extraordinary fun
to see."
While there are extra expenses for the cast, crew and special effects,
the overall production cost is amortized over a longer period allowing the
theatre to put extra money into plans for a new theatre school project among
other things, said Ulrich.
Jimmy Rankin's first single expected
next week
April 19, 2001 - Halifax Herald
Jimmy Rankin's first single from his much anticipated solo recording will
be sent out to radio stations next week.
Followed Her Around, which he penned with Gordie Sampson, is the
first of 12 tunes on his CD, Song Dog, slated to hit stores on July
17.
Rankin is joined by Blue Rodeo's Greg Keelor on Followed Her Around.
The CD was recorded at Great Big Music in Toronto with producer Tim
Thorney, who has also worked with Alanis Morissette.
Rankin expects to hit a few festivals this summer and plans a
cross-country tour in the fall.
Jimmy
Rankin performing at Pictou Lobster Carnival
March 28, 2001 - Inverness Oran
Jimmy Rankin will be one of the featured
performers at the Pictou Lobster Carnival in July.
Rankin, along with the Barra MacNeils,
will be topping the main stage list during July 5-8.
"We're really thrilled with the
calibre of entertainment we've lined up for this year," says Susan
MacDonald, chair of this year's Lobster Carnival Committee. She added
that fans of Celtic-Maritime music will be hard pressed to find a similar
lineup anywhere in the near future.
Since the much-bemoaned breakup of
The Rankins, Jimmy Rankin has been quietly working at his song-writing,
preparing an album, and booking for performances this summer.
Last summer, Rankin made his only
public appearance since the breakup of the famous family band from Mabou
during the Deepdale Music Fest just north of Inverness.
Along with Rankin and the Barras,
some of the other musicians featured at the lobster bash will be Dave Gunning,
Maurice Poirier, and Sonya Wood.
Scotland, PA, featuring Heather Rankin
March 23, 2001
Last year, Heather Rankin appeared in the movie "Scotland, PA",
being filmed in Halifax. It's set for release this spring. More
details to come here as they are made available. You can also check
out http://www.upcomingmovies.com/scotlandpa.html
for more info.
Music biz weighs in on all-star charity
box
February 22, 2001 - Jam Music
By Larry LeBlanc - Special to JAM! Music
TORONTO -- With tracks by such Canadian
superstars as
Celine Dion, Sarah McLachlan, Joni Mitchell, Barenaked Ladies, and Neil
Young, "Oh What A Feeling 2," the four-CD, 76-track box set of
homegrown
music released this week, has impressed Canada's retailers and record
labels.
Produced by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) to
commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Juno Awards, "Oh What A Feeling
2"
is the sequel to CARAS's 1996 four-CD box set "Oh What A Feeling,"
which
commemorated the Junos' 25th anniversary. That set sold 250,000 units in its
seven week market run -- more than any other box set in Canadian history --
and greatly heightened the awareness of Canadian music in this country.
It also raised $2.8 million (Canadian) for the Canadian-based charities
Starlight Foundation Canada, the Safehaven Project for Community Living, and
the CARAS Music Education Fund.
Proceeds from "Oh What A Feeling 2," which initially will sell for
$39.99
(Canadian) or less, will again benefit these three charities, as well as the
Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund. The box set moves to $49.99 (Canadian)
list after sales of 100,000 units.
Co-executive producers of the box set, distributed nationally by Universal
Music Canada, are Universal's president and CEO Randy Lennox, and the writer
(Billboard's Canadian editor Larry LeBlanc).
It is dedicated to the memory of Canadian musicians, John Morris Rankin of
the Rankin Family, Scott Smith of Loverboy, and Canadian producer Bruce
Fairbairn, renowned internationally for his work with Loverboy, Aerosmith,
and others.
"To have not only four discs of Canadian repertoire five years ago and
now a
sequel which is equal, if not stronger, is something we should be
complimenting ourselves on as an industry," says Don Oates, Sr. VP of
sales,
Sony Music Entertainment (Canada). "You take a look at the
tune-stacking
here, and the recognition factor is immense. To see repertoire from all the
major labels is very heart-warming."
"Part of the reason for doing this follow-up box set is the 30th
anniversary
of the Juno Awards, but (consumer) appetite for another box had been
building since the first box set which was an extremely successful project
in raising money for the charities," says CARAS president Daisy Falle.
"People are still asking me for that box."
"Everybody (at Canadian retail) did well with the first package,"
recalls
Jason Sniderman, VP at the Sam The Record Man chain, which operates 56
stores across Canada. "It was an amazing line-up, and it was an
incredible
value at $29.99 (Canadian)."
"We did extremely well with the first box set, but everybody did,"
says
Bruce Mackenzie, senior buyer of Pindoff Record Sales, which operate the
98-store Music World chain nationally. "It wasn't long before there
weren't
many in the marketplace. Everybody was screaming for more, but they couldn't
get it."
According to Universal Music Canada, the initial shipment for "Oh What
A
Feeling 2" was 102,000 units. The box set is being supported by an
estimated
$1 million national media buy program, specifically on CBC-TV and CBC
Newsworld, as well an extensive radio campaign coordinated with Canada's
leading broadcasters Standard Radio Inc., Rogers Broadcasting Ltd.,
Telemedia Radio Inc., CHUM Ltd., and Corus Entertainment Inc..
As well, Universal plans an aggressive national print media campaign,
targeting mainstream newspapers, magazines, and weeklies.
While the original "Oh What A Feeling" had picked the definitive
performance
of each artist -- including older hits by Bryan Adams, Leonard Cohen, Neil
Young, Bruce Cockburn, Rush, the Guess Who, Bachman Turner Overdrive,
Loverboy, Red Rider, Trooper, Lighthouse, and The Band -- those same acts
are represented with different songs on the follow-up, as are Dion,
McLachlan, Jann Arden, Barenaked Ladies, Blue Rodeo, The Tragically Hip, and
Our Lady Peace, who were also included on the original set with more recent
hits.
The new package is also loaded with '90s hits by artists who have emerged on
the Canadian -- and often international -- scene since the release of the
original box. These include Shania Twain, Diana Krall, The Moffatts, the
Matthew Good Band, soulDecision, The Tea Party, Loreena McKennitt, Deborah
Cox, Chantal Kreviazuk, Sky, Ashley MacIsaac, Susan Aglukark, Great Big Sea,
Amanda Marshall, Van Bran 3000, Choclair, Tal Bachman, and Len.
Also featured are '70s tracks by Mitchell, Lee Aaron, Streetheart, Toronto,
Headpins, and Helix; '80s tracks by Aldo Nova, the Spoons, Jane Siberry,
Barney Bentall And The Legendary Hearts, and Red Rider; and early '90s
tracks by Moxy Fruvous, Rheostatics, Holly Cole, and producer/artist Daniel
Lanois.
One selling point of "Oh What A Feeling 2" that might interest
collectors is
that '70s Canadian hits by Copperpenny, Dr. Music, Helix, Pagliaro, and
Keith Hampshire are available on CD for the first time.
"I'd practically had forgotten about Copperpenny's 'Sittin On A Poor
Man's
Throne'," says Canadian Independent Record Production Association
president
Brian Chater, who owns the recording master of the 1973 Canadian hit.
"There
had been no use putting it out (on its own) because there isn't a group
anymore."
Noting that compiling the set was more arduous than for most compilations,
Glenn Moss, vice-president of strategic marketing, Universal Music Canada
says, "This was due to the depth of songs, the amount of time we had,
the
packaging itself, and having charities involved. People giving tracks or
offering their services had to be educated first on the (charities). There
were also artists involved who, historically, are not featured on
compilations, including Shania Twain, Joni Mitchell, and The Tragically Hip.
Also, someone like Alanis Morissette is tough to get for most
compilations."
Meanwhile, retailers, seeking a boost in sluggish first-quarter sales,
welcome the box set.
The 25 to 40 demographic will love this," says Sam The Record Man's
Sniderman. "The track listing is stronger than the first set, and more
relevant to younger buyers. This is a wonderful slice of Canadian music. Not
just Canadian ... these are international hits. It is a tremendous track
listing. The retail industry, particularly with the doldrums of the last
four or five months, is absolutely obligated to run with this."
"We've taken a pretty good early buy on it," says Pindoff's
McKenzie. "It's
a great package, but maybe not as strong as the first box. The first pulled
the very cream of each of the artists. I also wonder after the first 100,000
units (sold) when the list price gets bumped to $49.99, how well it will do.
Certainly, that first 100,000 is going to disappear very quickly in the
marketplace."
"One day (the Canadian industry) will do a third (box set),"
predicts
supporter Denise Donlon, president of Sony Music Entertainment (Canada).
"There's an absolute sense of musical history in this box set, but
neither
the quality nor the quantity of the work is surprising. Canada has a wealth
of talent, and such an undertaking serves to underscore this. Anything that
serves to continue the national consciousness in an optimistic and honouring
way is a good thing. And that's what this box set does."
("Oh What A Feeling 2" was coordinated jointly by the
multi-nationals Warner
Music Canada, Universal Music Canada, EMI Music Canada, Sony Music
Entertainment Canada, and BMG Music Canada, as well as such Canadian
independent labels as Anthem, Audiogram, Nettwerk Productions, Duke Street,
True North, Alert, and Song Corp., with support by the Canadian Music
Publishers Association.)
Editor's note: The writer of this story, veteran journalist Larry LeBlanc,
is co-executive producer of "Oh What A Feeling 2". The box set is
a
charitable project, and he has no financial stake in it.
To purchase this CD box set, click
here.
Jimmy Rankin to go coast to coast
February 15, 2001 - Jensen Productions
Fans of Jimmy Rankin will be able to catch him on the festival circuit this
summer, but in October, Jimmy will also be touring from coast to coast.
Details are still being worked out, but look for him to start on the west
coast in early October, and take it right across the country, wrapping up in
the Maritimes about a month later. Jimmy's new CD, now near completion,
will be released in mid-June, and will feature some great guests - stay tuned
for more details.
Judging from the amount of emails we get on a daily basis inquiring about
when Jimmy will tour, fans are anxious to see him perform and to hear the new
material.
Jimmy Rankin - Summer of 2001
February 1, 2001 - Jensen
Music International
Jensen Music International is very pleased to announce that we
are currently booking festivals, fairs and exhibitions for Jimmy Rankin for
[this] summer. In May 2001, Jimmy will release his debut solo album featuring a
more personalized, singer-songwriter approach to recording. However, we are told
that the music will not be a dramatic departure from the kind of work Jimmy has
done over the years with The Rankins, who sold over two million units, and who
headlined major events, festivals and concert venues world wide. Jimmy
Rankin will be touring [this] summer with a full band and crew.
Jimmy Rankin Confirmed for StanFest
January 16, 2001 - StanFest
We are pleased to announce that Jimmy Rankin is confirmed for the Stan Rogers
Folk Festival in Canso, Nova Scotia for Saturday, June 30th. Jimmy will be
one of the headliners for this year's festival, and will perform new material,
as well as some favourites from The Rankins' catalogue, with a full band.
Don't miss this great festival.
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