I can’t believe that this Thursday night is our last Close To The Ground concert at Kaylee Hall for the year. Time does indeed fly when you are having fun and there have been many highlights to the 2011 season. I am sure that everybody has their favorites and I for one enjoyed the variety of talented guests that graced our stage this summer. I do have to admit that I sort of save my favorite for last. Anyone who follows our concerts would know that I have always been a fan of country music. Our three guests this week are among the most popular country musicians on the East Coast. I have had the pleasure of performing with them all in the past and I consider many of those shows to be highlights of my music career. Collectively, these guys have probably raised more money for charity than the Red Cross by performing at local benefit concerts. This Thursday September 28 at 8pm, Fiddlers’ Sons are proud to welcome country recording artist Frank Whitty, veteran guitar man Mr Jim Williams and PEI’s Country Gentleman Lester MacPherson to our finale show at Kaylee Hall.
I first got to know Frank and his wife Cathy at the Saturday night dances at Kaylee Hall. I used to put Frank on the spot to get up with The Johnny Ross Band to sing a couple of songs. He was always a good sport and would often join the boys in giving me a little ribbing from the stage for slacking off to dance with the crowd out on the floor. I do like to sneak down from the stage to cut a rug now and then alright, but the real reason that I invited Frank up was to hear him lean into a George Jones song or two. I may have had a little sneaky motivation in getting Frank to sing though, because it sure didn’t hurt the popularity of our band any when one of the Island’s top singers just happened to drop by our gigs to sing a few tunes! Frank’s debut album called “The Choices I’ve Made” is a collaboration with producer Serge Bernard and some of the top session musicians in Nashville. It’s a real dandy and he is sure to have copies on hand Thursday night.
I was still a teenager when I first met Mr. Jim Williams. I was singing in the Lobster Carnival Talent Contest (in which I was soundly whooped and never even made the finals) and Mr Williams was lead guitar and music director for the popular group “Midnight Holler” who was serving as the back up band for the contestants . Our first encounter is a long story but he would sum it up by saying that we weren’t exactly fast friends. It’s twenty years later and we seem to have put our differences aside. We have been band mates for over eight years now and I count him as one of my best friends. (Despite the fact that I always formally address him as Mr Williams) We were founding members of “ The Johnny Ross Band” and have continued on with that group after Johnny’s departure in 2009 as “Old Habits.” Jim has toured the country with Canadian groups like “Trixter” and “Allan Good And The Good Guys.” He often assumes the role of side man in bands but his powerful vocals and energetic stage presence can take center stage anytime. He will be accompanying the boys Thursday night on acoustic guitar and harmony vocals.
Folks may know Tommy Hunter as “The Country Gentleman.” But as my friend and neighbour Lester MacPherson would joke, “Tommy Hunter is federal and I’m provincial.” Music fans could easily see how comparisons could be made between the two entertainers. Both men have an affable and charming stage personality and perform classic country music with heartfelt and smooth vocal delivery. I don’t know Tommy Hunter though, so I can’t say if he shares Lester’s quick wit and dry sense of humor. Whether it’s getting together for a show or just bumping into each other for a chat and a chuckle, Lester is just the kind of guy that you are always glad to see coming. I have witnessed first hand that Island music fans feel the same way. I have worked with some very popular and exciting artists over the years, but I am yet to meet an entertainer with more enthusiastic fans than our Island’s Country Gentleman.
Well folks I hope I have the chance to thank you all in person Thursday night for making Close To The Ground a success again this year. I know our large turnouts are due to local folks spreading the word of mouth to visitors and Islanders alike for us. On behalf of Fiddlers’ Sons, our guests and The Fraser Family let me extend our gratitude for your encouragement and support. Without you, our efforts would be all for naught.
I’d also like to thank these local businesses for helping us showcase the high caliber of musical guests that we enjoyed this summer. Kudos to these sponsors: The Island’s Country 95.1 FM CFCY, The Island’s Greatest Hits Magic 93, Everything Classic 102.1 Spud FM, Nabuur’s Gardens, MR Seafoods, The Eastern Graphic, MacLean’s Ready Mix, The Cash In Depot and Gillis’ Drive Inn. We couldn’t pull off the show without them.
I hope you all had half as much fun as we did this year. God willing and if Charlie will let us, we hope to be at it again next summer. So come on down for the finale Thursday night and in case I don’t see you, keep your feet Close To The Ground this winter !

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