Concert will raise money to help the people of haiti
Published Thursday October 9th, 2008
Haiti was once an island inhabited by a happy, healthy race of people, but since that fateful day when Columbus came in 1492, war, inquisition, persecution, rebellion and corruption have made it one of the world's poorest nations. And recently the small country was so decimated by the violence of nature that even the walking dead of its folklore would be hard pressed to find sustenance for survival.
Former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna said recently after a visit to Haiti that he'd never seen chaos and poverty on such a scale before.
Most structures and habitations were leveled and food stocks and crops were destroyed by hurricane winds and torrential rain. Its rare hectares of fertile land were eroded and stripped away, children and elderly are dying daily of starvation, pestilence and disease in the wake of Fay, Gustav, Hannah and Ike.
When Murray Moore, a retired pastor, who resides at Codys visited Haiti two years ago, he was appalled by the utter devastation of the small island nation by that year's hurricanes, and its unimaginable poverty. Back home, he spearheaded his first Help For Haiti Benefit in the spring of 2007.
Now, after the ravages of the past few months, the need for medical supplies and the necessities to sustain life - food and water - is even greater.
So Murray has once again organized a concert - Help For Haiti-2 Benefit - to provide Haitian survivors with some portion of what they need in food and medical aid. It will be held Oct. 18, 7 p.m., at Chipman's uniquely modern Christian Life Centre, 740 Main St., an amazing venue.
And just as amazing are the five acts donating their time and talents to this benefit. First, The Gospel Connection, a popular bluegrass gospel ministry of six, who have won New Brunswick Gospel Hall of Fame Music Awards the past two years. Their ministry of morning worships and old-time spiritual song fests started well over a decade ago under the direction of the late Rev. Ed McCormick and this band has continued his dedication to it ever since. The six singing instrumentalists are Sarah McCormick, Bob Clingo, Gary Vail, Andrea Clingo-Vail, Jason McCormick and Nathan Clingo.
Erdie and Julie Price from Miramichi have both been musically blessed. A young couple, they are only three years into their ministry of song with Erdie filling in as a preacher of the gospel frequently at various churches. Last year they released their first CD, Hallelujah I'm Ready, and are preparing another to be released in summer 2009.
The Weaver Family is a definite presence musically on any stage. Their beautiful voices entwined in alternating leads and harmonies bring a lifting of spirits to any ear. Bonnie, the mother, has spent a lifetime in musical ministries, travelling with the Freddy Clark Family at a young age. She now sings with her daughters and husband Luke, with whom she pastors a church in Benton. Their debut CD At Home With The Weavers is a must hear for any collector of gospel music.
The Phillips Brothers, Nathan, Neil and Barry, grew up in Cumberland Bay. They began playing and singing bluegrass gospel at a young age with their father and mother as The Erdie Phillips Family. Between them they play an array of traditional instruments. Since the father Erdie's death, they have carried on the tradition he started with his brother Ray, the original Phillips Brothers who with their sister Lorraine were Rodeo Record stars and recorded the first bluegrass in Canada. The Phillips Brothers are often accompanied by their mother, Marjorie Phillips, on piano and are involved with the ministry of their churches.
Murray Moore, the concert organizer, has been ministering in music and song for more than 40 years. He has faithfully served in Christian ministries since he was 21. Now, retired from a regular Sunday pulpit, he continues to serve the faith with his wife Rose. All profits from the sale of his CDs as well as funds raised by the concert go to assist Haitian relief through Blair Hope International Inc. He is this Haiti-2 show's master of ceremonies.
Tickets are $10 in advance from CJRI and The Lighthouse, Fredericton, by calling 362-9206 or 339-6325.
MOSS GLEN PARTY Friday
Sylvia Campbell, a singing, yodelling fiddler who just starred at a Wilf Carter Tribute Concert in Canning, N.S., and her brother Fraser Smith host a Kitchen Party featuring all their regular Long Reach Gang, Friday, 7 p.m., at the Royal Canadian Legion Peninsula Branch 62 Hall at Moss Glen. Many well-known singers, musicians and dancers will perform and you can even bring an instrument and join in. An old-time square dance follows the concert, with a Grand March, the Caledonia and all your favourites. Light refreshments will be served and amazingly, admission is only $5. All proceeds go to Branch 62 to help maintain its operation. Sylvia, Fraser and all the participants are generously donating their time and talents as a benefit to their community.
CLASSIC COUNTRY NEXT WEEK
A Classic Country Concert, featuring John Jeffries, Debbie Patterson, Bill Stewart, Keith Munn, Bryce Brewer and Sam Johnson, takes place Oct. 18, 7 p.m., at the Heritage Centre, Marysville (Fredericton). It will include lots of singing, music and special guests, such favourites as Alan Sherwood, Eileen Hanson, Dwayne Drost and Jennifer Moulton. Admission is $7.50.
HANSON and WILLIAMS' TRIBUTE CONCERT
A Jazz and Comedy Tribute Concert in memory of Mary Hanson and Jamie Williams, Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1:30 p.m. until closing at the Somerset Pub in Saint John, features singers, dancers, instrumentalists and comedians. All have volunteered to perform at this event so all profits can go to the Oncology Radiation Department of the Saint John Regional Hospital in memory of Mary and Jamie, who both died of cancer in 2007. The event includes performances by the Richard Kidd Quartet; Jazztet; a big band under the direction of Doug Reece; and a Dixieland band headed by Franco Cucinelli. Featured singers will be Stephen Tobias, Jennifer Power, Janet Kidd, Kizzy Kay, Maureen Moulton and John Frank. Dancers include Cindy Fletcher and Paula Holder. Three comedy sessions by Improv Corp will take place throughout the afternoon and evening. Tickets, $20, are available at the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation office, Somerset Pub and Saint John Theatre Company office on Princess Street or by calling John Hanson at 654-3166. Tickets are good for the entire event and ticketholders may come and go as they please. There will be an auction at 5 p.m. with proceeds going to the same cause and donations will also be accepted.
TWO CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
The fall harvest is drawing to a close, Thanksgiving is this weekend and Halloween is just a couple of weeks away, so it's not surprising the way the year is going that two of the region's hottest acts, Lost Highway and Shanklin Road, have already announced they are joining their musical talents to present two joint Super Country Christmas Concerts, sure to put you in a Yuletide frame of mind early. One is at Sussex Regional High on Nov. 22, the other in Saint John at Harbour View High on Nov. 29. They will be joined by an all-star guest list. Contact Steve Lyons of Lost Highway at 832-5308 or Dawn Ellis of Shanklin Road, 833-4867 for ticket outlet locations.
SUSSEX FUNDRAISER SATURDAY
A Country Benefit Concert for Greater Fundy Ground Search and Rescue, Saturday, 7 p.m., at Sussex Regional High School features Hazel Marie Robertson, Mike MacQuarrie, Cyril McNeill, Art Boyd, Tom Burgess, Donna Stephenson, John Arsenault, Jeannie Clark, Joan and Ken Campbell, Doris Fraser, Elva and Winston Greer, Kaleb Dorey, Clayton MaGee, Gary Burgess, Brian and Keri Mallory, Raymond Thebeau, Mike McLaughlin, Bryant Hayes and Debbie McMillan. Tickets, $10, are on sale at Backstage Records, Sussex, or at the door if there are any left. All proceeds go to Fundy Ground Search and Rescue.
Gerry Taylor cgtaylor@nbnet.nb.ca has covered folk and country music for over 30 years.
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