NEWS

Join beloved Canadian tenor John McDermott for an unforgettable 3-night performance with the John McDermott Trio, which consists of John with guitarist Jason Fowler and Mark Lalama (keyboards) at Toronto’s Hugh’s Room on Thursday February 7, Friday February 8, and Saturday February 9. For more information, visit www.hughsroomlive.com

As is John’s tradition, he will be giving a captivating and engaging performance filled with tasteful remembrance tributes, songs from his illustrious career, and many highlights from his own personal songbook.

John will also be joined by special guests for each show, which include famed guitarist Paul Langlois on February 7, the award-winning duo Dala Girls on February 8, and PEI singer Chad Matthews for all three performances.

Paul Langlois is perhaps best known as the guitarist of The Tragically Hip, though with two solo albums under his belt and cross-country tours to support them, Paul has been quick to make a name for himself independently from the band. Known for his powerful lyrics as much as he is for is tight guitar riffs, Langlois’ current solo album, Not Guilty, is a collaborative effort with fellow musicians Jeff Montgomery, Mauro Sepe and fellow Hip musician Rob Baker. It was the fact that Langlois is a huge John Prine fan which initiated a friendship with McDermott and his musical director Jason Fowler. This led to the two inviting Paul to record a beautiful rendition of Prine’s, Speed At The Sound Of Loneliness, on John’s album entitled, Just Plain Folk.

Juno nominees and winners of the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, the Dala Girls Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine write and sing in harmony best described as angelic. These two best friends met in their high school music class in 2002 and have since released five albums and toured extensively across North America. Drawing upon influences like The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Dala write songs that are both catchy and insightful. Amanda’s ethereal soprano voice blends seamlessly with Sheila’s velvety alto, creating the lush harmonies that have become their trademark. www.dalagirls.com

Originally from Elmsdale, PEI, performer Chad Matthews is perhaps best known as Stompin’ Tom Connors in the show My Island Home: A Stompin’ Tom Story, on regular performance at the Stompin’ Tom Connors Centre in Tignish. The show has been a fantastic success, with over 3,000 people coming for Matthew’s incredible and uncanny performance as the Canadian Icon. Recently, he made an appearance on the hit CBC television show Still Standing, where Matthews gave host Jonny Harris a taste of how to do things the Stompin’ Tom way.

John McDermott is an international recording star and household name – known as much for his successful musical career as for his commitment to veterans’ causes. He has been nominated for a number of Juno awards and received the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Bob Hope Award for his support for veterans’ causes.

Current albums include Some Other Time, a finely-curated stylish recording of classic jazz selections that feature some of Canada’s finest musicians of the genre. Among the selections are renditions of such standards as On Days Like These, Moonlight in Vermont, Autumn Leaves, Put Your Dreams Away, and The Shadow of Your Smile; Raised on Songs and Stories, a collection of songs with a remarkable history attached – some very old and some more contemporary – each song a story to tell and a memory for the ages.

His first album, Danny Boy, garnered strong sales in the U.S. and Canada and reached number one in New Zealand. This success, won through a tireless touring schedule, led to his participation in the PBS phenomenon, The Irish Tenors. John has gone on to record numerous albums, including Journeys. This extremely moving album includes songs such as The Dreamer and The Gift of Years, both written by renowned songwriter Eric Bogle. Proceeds of the sales went to McDermott House Canada, a charity that John created.

McDermott House Canada is a project close to John’s heart, and he says: “Every day the men and women who serve our country, and the police, firefighters and first responders who serve our communities put their lives on the line and themselves in harm’s way. When asked why, they simply say: “It’s what we do”. They serve freely and willingly, asking for very little in return.” to learn more about McDermott House Canada visit www.mcdermotthousecanada.org

Yorkminster Park Baptist Church
May 11, 2018 7:30pm

Performing songs from the new CD Some Other Time as well as some other great standards. Performers include: Guido Basso, Dave Young, Jason Fowler, Robi Botos, Reg Schwager, Davide Direnzo and Tom Szczesniak.

The concert is a fundraiser for the YPBC Refugee program.

Order Tickets Online or call 416-949-9211

Now available for pre-order – All Those Years – a handsome, 2-DVD compilation of documentary and concert film from early in John’s career. Order now to receive your autographed copy by March 2018.

Well, what a wonderful year of touring that was – one of our busiest and most enjoyable we have had in many years.

We embark on a somewhat new and exciting direction in 2018 – I have welcomed two new members to our band: Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther. Sheila and Amanda are the extraordinary folk group known as Dala and we will be doing a lot of shows together in the coming months and for the entire 2018 Christmas tour. They are a joy to work with and share a stage with. We will be recording a new Christmas CD with Sheila and Amanda early in 2018 for release in the fall.

Finally: the Double DVD

The double-DVD retrospective set will be released on March 25th, 2018. It will be a limited edition release, all of which will be autographed, and pre-orders will be accepted starting February 12th 2018. I am very excited about finally getting this package complete and into your hands.

The Irish CD

The new Irish CD (title TBA) is in the works and will be ready for Fall 2018 along with the new Christmas CD (mentioned above). I know it will be one of the best I have done as the repertoire is from some of the finest writers Ireland has ever produced.

Tour

The touring schedule is pretty much complete for 2018 with several more dates yet to be confirmed for the Summer and Fall seasons.

We want to wish each and every one of you a blessed, happy and healthy new year. May this year be your best one ever.

See you on the road,

John, Jason, Mark, Charles, Sheila and Amanda

It’s been a long time – now we have confirmed a date for a Christmas show!

John McDermott and Friends Family Christmas
Festival Hall Centre for the Arts
401 Isabella Street
Pembroke, Ontario
Ottawa Valley’s Biggest Theatre !

Call 613 735-2182 or visit www.festhall.ca for tickets