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Big Pond, NS
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Big Pond Through the Years CD's For Sale
Featuring Artist's Cyril Macphee, Dan Joe MacInnis, Donnie Campbell, Rita
MacNeil, Doug Macphee, Deanie Munroe, The MacLellan Trio, Gordie Sampson, Paul
MacNeil, and the Sons of Skye.
FRONT Cover
Back Cover
Produced By Tom O'Keefe, Engineered/Digitally
Remastered By Jamie Foulds, Artwork/Layout By Sean Demeyere.
This CD was made possible through the generosity and ongoing commitment to the
community of Big Pond by Tim Hortons.
Inside Cover Text
Gordie Sampson A prolific songwriter, Gordie Sampson broke onto
the music scene sweeping single of the year, Video of the Year, and Songwriter
of the Year at the 2000 East Coast Music Awards in Sydney. Gordie has an
unlimited amount of talent and only the sky is the limit for this humble and
charming performer from Big Pond.
The MacLellan Trio The MacLellan Trio for many years has been among the most
respected Cape Breton musical performers. Donald MacLellan and his sisters
Theresa and Marie are the children of the legendary Cape Breton fiddler “Big”
Ronald MacLellan, and have thrilled countless numbers of people with their
stirring rendition of the Cape Breton fiddle music. The MacLellan Trio recorded
two-long play recordings and recently some of these recordings were released on
a cd, a great thrill for all of the fans and lovers of Cape Breton music.
Sons of Skye Sheldon MacInnis, Malcie MacPhee, Blanche Sophocleus and her
brother Clifford Moray formed the Sons of Skye in 1974. For ten consecutive
years, they were among the most popular performers at the Big Pond Concert, and
performed for appreciative crowds across the Maritime Provinces, introducing a
variety of acoustic instrumental interpretations of folk ballads and Cape Breton
Gaelic. The essence of their performances was fun and pride of their Cape Breton
roots. The Sons of Skye toured Scotland in 1979 with fellow “Big Ponder” Joe
Neil MacNeil.
Dan Joe MacInnis Dan Joe MacInnis began his fiddling career at the age of eight
and by the age of fourteen he was playing for square dances in Grand Mira, on
CJCB in Sydney, Dan Joe received exposure playing for five years on the
MacDonald Tobacco Show, which aired on Saturday evenings. After recording three
long-play albums in the early 1960’s, he joined Jackie MacNeil to found the now
famous Big Pond Concert. Dan Joe played his music with great feeling, and was
the owner of one of the most comprehensive collections of Scottish music in Cape
Breton. He was married to Christie MacIssac of Big Pond.
Cyril MacPhee Originally from Irish Vale, Cyril MacPhee is known as a gifted
songwriter in Cape Breton and beyond. His songs are a heartfelt realization of
the many aspects of life in Cape Breton.
Deanie Munroe Born in 1943 Deanie Munroe was the daughter of Neil and Jessie
Munroe of Loch Lomond. She learned piping from Sonny and Sally MacPherson of
Sydney and was a frequent performer at concerts, festivals and also on the
radio. Deanie was the first female piper to release a recording of bag pipe
music, and she belonged to several pipe bands including the MacDougall Girls
Pipe Band of Glace Bay and Dominion, The Stormaway Society Pipe Band of Sydney,
and she piped across the Canso Causeway in 1955 as part of the ‘100 Pipers March
to the Isle’. She was a successful competitive piper and won numerous awards in
Nova Scotia.
Doug MacPhee Doug MacPhee from New Waterford is a
renowned pianist, recording artist and a noted authority on Cape Breton music.
Through the many musical sessions at his home in New Waterford, Doug became
fascinated with Scottish music at an early age. One of the most sought after
accompanist for the fiddlers of Cape Breton, Doug MacPhee is also known for his
solo work, accenting the tunes in a manner similar to the fiddlers who inspired
him.
Donnie Campbell With cousins, uncles, and other extended family from Big
Pond its like a musical home to me, and I’m proud to have been part of the Big
Pond Concert for many years. Here’s one of my most requested songs, Molly Baun.
Paul MacNeil Paul MacNeil is one of the finest traditional pipers found
in the world today. Born and raised in Bour a Gleu, he now resides in Castle Bay
with his wife Tracey Dores who is well-respected piano accompanist and solo
performer. Both Paul and Tracey compose wonderful music and capture playing and
promoting the traditional style of Cape Breton Music.
Rita MacNeil Like pages from a diary, Rita MacNeil’s songs speak of the
life of this gracious lady. There is subtlety in her music that expresses her
passion and her love of her home in Big Pond. Rita MacNeil is a stellar
entertainer, multiple award winner, and one of the biggest names in Canadian
Music History, enjoying success not only in Canada, but also in Australia and
England.
As with any community project there are always
many people to thank and usually some that are overlooked. Special thanks to Tom
O’Keefe for his patience and Perseverance. Sheldon MacInnes for his tremendous
help in providing the background on the musicians and to the musicians
themselves for their gift of music. Also, Donnie Campbell for his ongoing
support for any project Big Pond undertakes. To each and every one of you who
buy and enjoy this CD a Very Special Thanks.
Available at the Community Hall (in the Bar) For only $10.00 or
email the webmaster (click on link at bottom of page) for information and pricing to get one or more
delivered right to
your door via the post office. These would make a great gift or even stocking
stuffer for those Fans of Down home Atlantic tunes.
CD's also available around town at: (Note: Price
Varies)
