John Allan Cameron, the Celtic Music Godfather, a Cape Breton Legend and recepient of The Canadian Order of Canada, was honoured in Halifax on May 19/05 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium with a jam-packed audience, along with many musicians performing on stage singing songs from John's career of 40 plus years. John is suffering from a rare form of leukemia and bone marrow cancer. Friends, fans and musicians gathered to honour John, a first of three benefits to be held in Nova Scotia in the next three weeks, to raise funds for John's medical expenses. Thursday's show included an incredible line-up of amazing talent from Nova Scotia.

Hosts Denis Ryan and Eric MacEwen (a recovered cancer victim) longtime friends of John Allan kept things light and lively throughout the evening. They read many heartful messages to John Allan from, Rita MacNeil-Natalie MacMaster-Men of The Deeps-Ann Murray and Canada's Prime Minister, Paul Martin. John Allan's wife Angela, son Stuart and sister Marie were at John Allan's side during the show.

Here are the names of the several performers: John Allan's son Stuart opened the show performing Maggie Brown on his father's trademark 12-string guitar joined by the house band; Allie Bennett-Dave MacIsaac-Wendy MacIsaac-Boyd MacNeil from Slainte Mhath.

Other performers: Pipers Matt MacIsaac & Scott Long-dancers, Stephanie Proctor and Sarah Cluett-Jimmy Rankin-Buddy MacDonald-Jerry Holland-Mary Jane Lamond-Dave Isner-Dave Gunning-Fred Lavery-the original cast of Singalong Jubilee including popular Catharine McKinnon and The Barra MacNeils.

The Grand Finale at Show's End

(Picture by Marty MacDougall)

Other up-coming tribute shows for John Allan are:

May 28 at 8 pm at The Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay

Jun 12 at 7:30 pm at Strathsprey Place, Mabou, Cape Breton