McDermott's love for Canada shines
Published Thursday October 29th, 2009
Although born in Scotland, you won't find a more staunch Canadian than renowned tenor John McDermott, who appears in concert at the Imperial Theatre in Saint John Nov. 3 and The Fredericton Playhouse on Nov. 5.
John doesn't hesitate to ripple waters of political correctness in speaking out against currents threatening to erode the pillars that have made Canada the envy of other nations.
He is dedicated to our military forces and the welfare of our veterans.
"In Scotland Lester Pearson's re-designation of Canada's military as peace-keepers was applauded," he said by phone last Friday. "But recently, the discarding of fundamentals of this country's founding faiths is diminishing the respect with which others view us."
A respected concert and recording artist not only in Canada but globally, John recently sang by request of the family at U.S. Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy's funeral. The senator befriended him during his first concert foray into the U.S. in 1995. John is also the recipient of one of the highest U.S. honours that can be bestowed on a civilian, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Bob Hope Award, for his support of peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"But, now, the presentation of medals of valour to Canada's military without any ceremony angers me. It's as if bravery has become politically incorrect, too."
John's many Canadian music honours include three Canadian platinum records and five Juno nominations. On Saturday, he kicks off a 35-concert cross-Canada tour with a special evening of song at Toronto's Glenn Gould Studio. A Musical Tribute To Veterans is for those who died for Canada in two world wars and the conflicts since, the ones who survived and the thousands who continue to serve, with death waiting at every turn.
Joining John in Toronto and for his other 34 concerts is Russell De Carle of Prairie Oyster. John's new CD Journeys is also for sale. It's his most personal recording yet. He wrote or had a hand in writing most of the songs. Two, however, Bringing Buddy Home and the title song, were written by Eric Bogle, who penned The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, a song on John's first CD. They have a non-blood kinship. Both Scotland born, they emigrated to other lands: John to Canada with parents and 11 siblings, Eric to Australia.
Journeys reveals John's deepest concerns. Several of the songs involve the effect of war on families at home, those who return and the trauma of loved ones dying far from home. Two Canadian veterans will travel with the tour, as well, sharing their stories with audiences. All proceeds from the Toronto concert and all sales of his Journeys CD go to Canada Company. Journeys will only be sold at concert tour venues. It will not be sold in stores.
Canada Company is a federally registered charity founded in 2006 to bring business and community leaders together to support Canada's military at home and abroad. It is apolitical and an advocate for Canadians who serve, or wish to serve, in Canadian forces, regular or reserve, and their families. It was created to ensure they receive the widest possible support, recognition and care. It's motto is "Many Ways To Serve." For full details, visit www.canadacompany.ca.
Journeys is a 10-song CD that includes The Dreamer, a tribute to Ted Kennedy whom John explained was a main force behind the health-care bill now before the U.S. senate. Then, If Wishes Were Fishes (We'd all Cast Our Nets In The Sea); Welcome Home, a song dedicated to all Vietnam veterans; Along The Merry Road To Hell, about a brother's addictions and his death at 53; the title song is the story of a father and son seen through Eric Bogle's eyes; The Sky Belongs To Dreamers, a tribute to Father Mychal F. Judge, chaplain of the NYC fire department and the first recorded victim of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The Gift of Years was inspired by John's Uncle Mike, who was captured in Burma during the Second World War and died in the Japanese Changi prison camp (The country that you died for, mate/ You would not know it now/ The future that we dreamed of mate/ Got all twisted up somehow). Images of casualties being loaded into a C-17 inspired Eric's Bringing Buddy Home (somewhere between tears and heartbreak/ a lifetime of sorrow just begun). John's To The End of the Road (Through the mists of time the path unwinds) is a tribute to his father who died in 1995. The final selection is fittingly titled The Last Note (The lights are all dimming/But I know it's not an ending/ just another beginning).
John's father was in his 50s when he uprooted his wife and 12 children to sail to a new land in 1965. The McDermotts, at that time, were the largest family to ever immigrate to Canada en masse since the Second World War. They settled in Willowdale, Ont. John was the ninth of Peter and Hope McDermott's dozen children. His paternal grandfather was born in Ballymena, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. His mother's father worked in the Glasgow shipyards. Only nine when he left Scotland, John says he can never quite shake off the feeling that narrow highland roads await him around each bend.
Our conversation was one I'll never forget. I told him of my father and my older brother's service in the two world wars and my father-in-law Gordon Watters, who was a Japanese prisoner-of-war after Hong Kong fell. He expanded on his uncle's death from cholera as a POW after the Gordon Highlanders' defeat in Burma, how he and a chum, Jack Cassidy, carried Little Willy Hunter, deathly ill, during a long forced march. The only one of the three to survive, Willy helped build the bridge on River Kwai and still attends POW reunions.
Anyone who lived through the Second World War or Vietnam will treasure Journeys. Bible Hill, N.S.'s Cindy Church sings harmony on four selections and Jason Fowler plays guitar, bouzouki and mandolin on three.
Tickets to hear John McDermott's golden trademark tenor on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Saint John's Imperial Theatre are available at the box office, by phone at 674-4100 or 1-800-323-7469. In Fredericton visit the Playhouse or call 458-8344.
SAINT JOHN FRIDAY
The New Brunswick Country Showcase presents A Tribute To The Legends of Country Music Friday, 7 p.m., at Saint John's Imperial Theatre. This showcase includes many talented entertainers performing a repertoire of songs made famous by Nashville legends Hank Williams, Johnny Horton, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Donna Fargo, Stonewall Jackson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price. Tickets are $20 at the Imperial (674-4100, 1-800-323-7469) or visit www.imperialtheatre.nb
NORTON BLUEGRASS SATURDAY
A Bluegrass and Oldtime Music Concert Saturday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. at the Catholic Hall, Norton, features Moncton's great quartet The Douthwrights. Tickets are $10 at the door. For details call Shane at 387-4006 or Dennis 384-2210
LILY LAKE SATURDAY
After a very critical surgery a year ago, Randy Russell is feeling well enough to organize another of his Lily Lake Jamborees on Saturday, 7 p.m., at the Hatheway Pavilion at Lily Lake. It's a Merle Haggard Tribute featuring Randy, his father Rick Russell, his uncle John Merrick, sister Cheryl Russell and Hank Snow sound-alike Bobby Burke with Linda Richardson and other guests, backed by his great Jamboree Band. Tickets are $10 at Grand Bay Pharmacy, Saint John Sewing Centre, Kennebecasis Drugs and door.
SUSSEX BENEFIT SUNDAY
An Afternoon Benefit for veteran singer and MC Doug McKenna Sunday, 1:30 p.m., at Legion Branch #20, Magnolia Avenue, Sussex, features some of the Town & Country Jamboree stars of the 1960s and '70s on which Doug MC'd and sang. Those include Norma Hayes, Andy Hunter, Ken Rossiter, Allison Inch, Jeannie (Earle) Clark, Elva and Winston Greer, also Gary and Tammy Morris and many others. Gary's father Gene was a central figure of the Town & Country shows. Call 433-5556 for details.
SAINT JOHN NEXT WEDNESDAY
Loch Lomond Villa hosts an Evening Of Entertainment with Park Avenue Fiddlers and Delbert Worden Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m., at Simonds Lions Auditorium. Tickets are $5, with proceeds for rec programs.
WRONG VALLEY JAMBOREE DATE
Anyone with Valley Jamboree tickets for Saturday, Nov. 7, is advised that the Jamboree has been shifted to Friday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m. as the Sussex Regional High School had been already booked for Saturday. The province's Department of Health had booked a three-day HINI clinic to begin there on that day. Jamboree tickets sold for Nov. 7 will be honoured on Nov. 6. Tickets for Nov. 6 are on sale at regular outlets.
Gerry Taylor www.gerrytaylor.ca has covered folk and country music for over 30 years.
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