I spent Labor Day weekend in awe of just how fast summer goes. The Gold Cup and Saucer has been won, The Queen Of The Furrows has been crowned and the chill in the night air is like a signal light warning that the season is turning. As I look forward to an exciting September lineup of musical guests coming to Kaylee Hall, I can’t help but heave a sigh for the passing of the summer season. There were many musical highlights in the crazy blur that was my schedule for July and August But this past week, I felt especially privileged to be able to share a few songs at a special event.

I would like to tip my hat to the folks who organized a benefit concert in aid of Kenneth MacEachern and family last Friday night at Red’s Corner. Kenny suffered a substantial loss of livestock earlier this summer when the ventilation system failed in his hog barn during a lightning storm. Special thanks goes out to Chris MacPhee who was instrumental in organizing the event and to Amber MacDonald for providing the venue. I’d also like to thank Phillip Bulpit for donating his time and sound system for the music. There was top shelf entertainment from volunteer musicians Meaghan and Jeanna Blanchard, Jamie O’Brian, Susan Campbell, Darren MacEachern, John B Webster and Sheila Fitzpatrick. Many local businesses donated items for a silent auction and countless others worked hard behind the scenes. I heard that $19,000 was raised and although I know Kenneth’s loss was more than that, this should be a push in the right direction. If all was right in the world, bad luck wouldn’t fall on good people like Kenny. But as we know, the world is not always a fair place. That’s why I left that concert feeling like the community had really pulled together to correct an injustice that had taken place. Hats off to all who donated money, time and talent. Good on you everybody and good luck Kenneth and family.

Summer may be gone, but September is really heating up at Kaylee Hall. This Thursday September 8 at 8pm, Fiddlers’ Sons welcome special guests Gordie McKeeman and His Rhythm Boys as the Close To The Ground Concert Series continues.

Gordie and The Rhythm Boys have toured North America and the U.K. together as members of the ECMA winning band Grass Mountain Hobos. The Band features Gordie on fiddle, Peter Cann on lead guitar and vocals, Thomas Webb on bass, banjo and vocals and Mark Geddes on percussion, bass and vocals. The boys play a lively mix of down east fiddle and traditional music and always put on an amazing live show. Their debut CD earned them two PEI Music Awards for Roots Traditional Group Of The Year and Instrumental Recording of The Year and they will have copies available at the show. Gordie has been nicknamed “ Crazy Legs “ for his unique style of clogging while playing the fiddle. Some folks might remember the night that he played Kaylee Hall and danced the heel clean off his shoe! I am betting that he will have a fresh pair of shoes for Thursday night and you all will get to see them in action.

Crowds have been large all summer on Thursday nights and this week is one of the most anticipated guest appearances of the season. If you can only make it to one show this year, take my advise and make it this Thursday night. You’ll be glad you did.