What an amazing musical event held in Toronto, Ontario at The Berkeley Church on Wednesday night, May 24/06!
It was a Tribute to Canada's Legendary Godfather of Celtic Music, JOHN ALLAN CAMERON formerly from Cape Breton. John Allan has been stricken with a rare form of Cancer and is in hospital. However, John Allan was at the event in spirit and certainly he was in the heart of the 800+ fans in the audience. Not in modern time in history, has a Canadian Celtic Musician has been honored in such high esteeme. Everyone who paid admission to the tribute, received a 2 disc CD entitled, YES! LET'S HEAR IT FOR JOHN ALLAN CAMERON. The CD package contained 40 tracks of music Artists, all of whom performed with John Allan thru the years or who were influenced by his legacy. All proceeds from the event and CD sales are going to the Cameron family.
Sandy MacIntyre with his band, Steeped in Tradition, opened the 3 hour tribute show with arousing music and song. Mary MacIntyre, Sandy's sister, sang an appropriate opening touching song, Farewell to Nova Scotia. Following the groups performance, a group of professional highland dancing girls displayed their incredible dancing talents. They were followed by P.E.I.'s popular singer/comedien, NANCY WHITE, accompanied by Tom Leighton and Bob Johnson, a comedy skit by F. McFarlene, guitar melodies by Tony McManus & Don Ross and an outstanding performance by The Tartan Terrors.
As the second half of the show began, a video about the musical history of John Allan was shown which was very touching to all. As the music began, sensational fiddler, ASHLEY MACISAAC from Cape Breton performed a fiddling musical set in tribute to John Allan, which was by far his best performance in years. He never sounded better with his traditional style of fiddling. He received a three minute standing ovation. He was accompanied by Stuart, John Allan's son on guitar and Mary MacIntyre on keyboards. Next came a surprise popular guest, CATHERINE MACKINNON who had performed in the early days with John Allan on CBC's Sing Along Jubilee. She had the crowd to its feet with her performance. Then Owen McBride a great friend and co-performer with John Allan in the Mariposa Festival days sang two beautiful Irish ballads. Finally an arousing finale by SandyMacIntyre's Band with a display of stepdancing by members in the audience. A final gesture of the evening was a presentation of a beautiful written tribute by Toronto's Mayor David Miller and Council presented to Angela, John Allan's wife. This was certainly a night to remember.
SANDY MACINTYRE AND STEEPED IN TRADITION opening the Tribute
Young Highland Dancers
NANCY WHITE, BOB JOHNSON and TOM LEIGHTON performing
THE TARTAN TERRORS performing
ASHLEY MACISAAC and STUART CAMERON performing
CATHERINE MACKINNON performing
THE TARTAN TERRORS DANCERS
STEPDANCERS from the audience
CROWD SCENE