Legendary singer John McDermott performs in Abbotsford on Sunday, March 18 in a concert with violinist Calvin Dyck, the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra and the Canada West Chamber Orchestra.
The concert, held in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, begins at 6 p.m. at the Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way.
McDermott was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but grew up in Willowdale, Ont. While he was working in the circulation department of the Toronto Sun, he would sing at staff parties and other social gatherings.
The only formal training he ever had was when he attended St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto for two years.
For his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, McDermott recorded an album of Irish and Scottish ballads and, when people heard it, they encouraged him to produce it commercially.
A few years later he took the album to legendary concert promoter Bill Ballard, who he met at a karaoke night. Ballard put McDermott in touch with the president of EMI Music Canada and in the fall of 1992 the record company released the album.
“I got into the business when I was 38, when most people are getting out,” McDermott said. “I never played any pubs and the first time I ever toured was with the Chieftains.
“And the first musician I ever hired was 17 years old. It was Ashley McIsaac (the Cape Breton fiddler); he was just coming on the scene. Then when he left, I hired Natalie McMaster.”
McDermott is 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 has received the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor.
His first album, Danny Boy, was a hit in the U.S. and Canada and reached number one in New Zealand. This success led to his participation in the PBS phenomenon, The Irish Tenors.
McDermott has recorded more than 20 albums, a collection of songs with a remarkable history attached – some very old and some more contemporary – each with a story to tell and a memory for the ages.
Whether on an album or live on stage, wherever McDermott goes, so too does his strong connection with his Irish and Scottish heritage celebrated in his renditions of traditional songs from both countries.
Also featured at the Abbotsford concert will be Callie Gross, a local violinist who just completed her ARCT with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. She will perform the virtuosic Introduction and Allegro by Camille Saint-Saens.
Tickets are available at House of James, King’s Music or online at eventbrite.ca.