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Thomas Moore Tribute

I have finished the Thomas Moore Tribute and it will be released very soon on my site and on iTunes. This recording is one of the most satisfying projects I have ever done. I have gone back to the simplicity of the original music and used only harp, cello and piano. My long time friend and arranger/composer Eric Robertson has done an amazing job with the charts and I know you will thrilled with the outcome. Celtic music and poet historian James W. Flannery of Emory University wrote the liner notes and background on each song and Thomas Moore. I look forward to you reading and listening to this wonderful piece of history.

John McDermott Trio

We have just completed recording the first “John McDermott Trio“ CD. The CD is collection of each other’s favourite songs – some original, some old treasures. “The John McDermott Trio “ of McD, Michael Peter Smith and Jason Fowler will be touring throughout the Summer and Fall of 2012 – watch for new dates on the tour schedule and we’ll alert you here when the CD becomes available.

Jason and I will be doing a show at Hugh’s Room on May 30 , performing songs from the new CD. Hope to have a title for you soon!

New Christmas CD

I will also have a new Christmas CD ready for the Fall of 2012. Recording of that project will be completed in late February 2012 and available in September.

OnRoute

Journeys is now available at the gas bar at all OnRoute convenience outlets along Highway 401, Highway of Heroes and beyond. Proceeds from sales will go to McDermott House Canada. For station locations please visit www.onroute.ca

Music in the Key of Giving

I am very happy to announce the following fundraising concert series on behalf of McDermott House Canada:

• Pavlo, May 12, 2012 Tickets

• Shauna Rolston and Erika Raum, October 26, 2012 Tickets

These concerts will present world class Canadian entertainers in an intimate and relaxing evening of music, telling their stories and sharing their talents.

“My soul and my guitar are connected”, Pavlo has said of his distinct and hypnotic Mediterranean sound. Legions of his passionate fans agree: this pure, instrumental music speaks for itself. Don’t miss Pavlo, his band and John May 12th at the Glenn Gould.

The evening is sponsored by BMO Financial Group.

For more information and tickets please visit the Glenn Gould Studio or Roy Thomson Hall websites.

With Ron Sexsmith at Mariposa 2011

YouTube

I continue to enjoy my new channel on YouTube where you can go to view a collection of some of my favourite videos – take a look and let me know what you think! http://www.youtube.com/user/LoveIsAVoyage

Well another tour and another year has passed – it all seems to fly by so fast! You will notice on the tour schedule we are quickly filling in the dates for next fall and I believe this may be our busiest year yet. Stay tuned for more details being posted in the next month.

Thomas Moore Tribute

I have finished the Thomas Moore Tribute and it will be released very soon on my site and on iTunes. This recording is one of the most satisfying projects I have ever done. I have gone back to the simplicity of the original music and used only harp, cello and piano. My long time friend and arranger/composer Eric Robertson has done an amazing job with the charts and I know you will thrilled with the outcome. Celtic music and poet historian James W. Flannery of Emory University wrote the liner notes and background on each song and Thomas Moore. I look forward to you reading and listening to this wonderful piece of history.

John McDermott Trio

We have just completed recording the first “John McDermott Trio“ CD. The CD is collection of each other’s favourite songs – some original, some old treasures. “The John McDermott Trio “ of McD, Michael Peter Smith and Jason Fowler will be touring throughout the Summer and Fall of 2012 – watch for new dates on the tour schedule and we’ll alert you here when the CD becomes available.

Jason and I will be doing a show at Hugh’s Room on May 30 , performing songs from the new CD. Hope to have a title for you soon!

New Christmas CD

I will also have a new Christmas CD ready for the fall. Recording of that project will be completed in late February 2012 and available in September.

OnRoute

Journeys is now available at the gas bar at all OnRoute convenience outlets along Highway 401, Highway of Heroes and beyond. Proceeds from sales will go to McDermott House Canada. For station locations please visit www.onroute.ca

Music in the Key of Giving

I am very happy to announce the following fundraising concert series on behalf of McDermott House Canada:

• Pavlo, May 12, 2012 Tickets

• Shauna Rolston and Erika Raum, October 26, 2012 Tickets

These concerts will present world class Canadian entertainers in an intimate and relaxing evening of music, telling their stories and sharing their talents.

“My soul and my guitar are connected”, Pavlo has said of his distinct and hypnotic Mediterranean sound. Legions of his passionate fans agree: this pure, instrumental music speaks for itself. Don’t miss Pavlo, his band and John May 12th at the Glenn Gould.

The evening is sponsored by BMO Financial Group.

For more information and tickets please visit the Glenn Gould Studio or Roy Thomson Hall websites.

Golf Tournaments

The first annual Ippolito Foundation Golf Tournament was a great success, everyone had a great time, and the weather was superb. Proceeds raised will benefit McDermott House Canada and local charities and community groups. When we have settled on a date for next year it will posted here and on www.mcdermotthousecanada.org.

With Ron Sexsmith at Mariposa 2011

YouTube

I continue to enjoy my new channel on YouTube where you can go to view a collection of some of my favourite videos – take a look and let me know what you think! http://www.youtube.com/user/LoveIsAVoyage

Thank all of you for your continued support, wishing each and every one of you a very happy new year and the best year of your lives in 2012, we look forward to seeing you on the road.

John, Jason, Brian, George, Gary, Ray, Mick and Jeremy.

I must say that was one of the best Summers ever, now the leaves are changing and we are being lulled into another Autumn with an amazing display of colours courtesy of mother nature. No doubt the snow is not far behind and before we know it the shovels will come out and we will be digging out.

OnRoute

Journeys is now available at the gas bar at all OnRoute convenience outlets along Highway 401, Highway of Heroes and beyond. Proceeds from sales will go to McDermott House Canada. For station locations please visit www.onroute.ca

Fall Tour

We are readying for the Fall tour and have some wonderful guests joining us for a number of shows, you can find the information on the tour schedule, among our special guests this year will be Adrian Anantawan, Ariana Gillis, Matt Dusk and Alison Girvan, and we are looking forward to a wonderful tour once again.

Music in the Key of Giving

I am very happy to announce the following fundraising concert series on behalf of McDermott House Canada:

• Stewart Goodyear and Matt Dusk, February 15, 2012 Tickets
• Robi Botos Trio, March 23, 2012 Tickets
• Shauna Rolston and Erika Raum, October 26, 2012 Tickets TBA

These concerts will present world class Canadian entertainers in an intimate and relaxing evening of music, telling their stories and sharing their talents. Just Announced: For Stewart Goodyear’s concert he has proposed a very special concert format:

“For my first Valentine’s Day concert ever, I will perform a program devoted entirely to love songs chosen by the audience. Please email your requests to stewart@johnmcdermott.com — the 10 songs with the most votes will be transcribed by yours truly, and included on my program. This will be my Valentine’s Day present to the audience!”

For more information and tickets please visit the Glenn Gould Studio or Roy Thomson Hall websites.

Golf Tournaments

The first annual Ippolito Foundation Golf Tournament was great success, everyone had a great time, and the weather was superb. Proceeds raised will benefit McDermott House Canada and local charities and community groups. When we have settled on a date for next year it will posted here and on www.mcdermotthousecanada.org.

The first annual McDermott House Canada Golf Tourney in the United States in now finalized. It will be held on March 6th, 2012 at Old Corkscrew in Estero, Florida. Click here for registration details.

Mariposa 2011

New Recording Projects

I am in the final stages of the new recording of Thomas Moore songs and I hope to have it ready by mid-November. Jason, Brian and I are working together to create a new recording of our favourite pieces. It will be a great mix of both original and cover songs that we hope you will enjoy.

I am also in the early stages of planning and recording a new Christmas CD and a Children’s CD – more details on these as we finalise the content and begin recording.

YouTube

I continue to enjoy my new channel on YouTube where you can go to view a collection of some of my favourite videos – take a look and let me know what you think! http://www.youtube.com/user/LoveIsAVoyage

Have a wonderful fall, and a safe winter and we will see you on the road,

John, Jason, George, Brian, Ray and Gary.

Well this must be Summer – hot, relaxing and it will be over before you know it – so enjoy it while you can!

Golf Tournaments

The first annual Ippolito Foundation Golf Tournament was great success, everyone had a great time, and the weather was superb. Proceeds raised will benefit McDermott House Canada and local charities and community groups. When we have settled on a date for next year it will posted here and on www.mcdermotthousecanada.org.

We are in the early planning stages of our first annual McDermott House Canada Golf Tourney in the United States. It will be held on March 6th, 2012 at Old Corkscrew in Estero, Florida. Details of the event will be posted when we have everything set to go.

Mariposa

Well my first Canadian folk festival was at Mariposa and we had a terrific time, hung out with Emmy Lou Harris and spent some time with Ron Sexsmith. Ron delivered a stellar performance, I don’t think he’s ever sounded better. Jason, Brian and I worked several workshops – one dedicated to cover tunes in which we did a few John Prine songs – and the other dedicated to the songs of Gordon Lightfoot songs, not a tough choice there, anything by Gordon was well received. Our main stage appearance was a lot of fun and we hope for an invite back next year.

New Project

I am working on my tribute CD to Thomas Moore and hope to have it ready by the fall. The tour for November/December is now complete with the possibility of some really great special guests turning up for a few of the shows – we’ll keep you posted.

We are considering shows in Florida in February/March of 2012 and we are in the early stages of planning a north American tour in 2012 with the sensational Mark O’Connor. We worked with Mark a couple of years ago and the chemistry was bang on, so we are very excited about this opportunity to tour with him.

YouTube

I have a new channel on YouTube now that you can go to view a collection of some of my favourite videos – take a look! http://www.youtube.com/user/LoveIsAVoyage

I hope you enjoy the rest of this glorious Summer and I will back to update the site again in early September.

John

Golfers – plan to participate

2011 Inaugural Charity Golf Event in Support of The Ippolito Foundation, Copetown Ontario Proceeds raised will benefit local charities and community groups including McDermott House Canada. Saturday, June 25, 2011. Visit their website for more information or download entry form here.

Well Spring is here and the Summer is just around the corner, it has been one of those winters that won’t go away. The ice is still thick on the bay but I can hear the cracks and the moaning of the ice as it gives way to the waters of summer.

We are very excited about the coming year and for the first time in my career I will be performing at a FOLK FESTIVAL. Yes, a folk festival, and at the best one you can think of – the Mariposa Folk Festival, July 8th and 9th. Our spot is on the 9th, late evening, main stage and my musical director Jason Fowler, along with Brian MacMillan and Ray Legere, will be doing workshops on July 9th and 10th. I will also be doing workshops with my players on the 9th during the day and will post details on the site as they become available.

The Fall tour is just about confirmed with a few open dates yet to be confirmed and it is as always a very busy schedule. We will once again have some special guests and I think this is the best year yet for guests. I will post the names as we confirm dates and I know you will all be thrilled with the line up.

We are working a couple of new CDs – one is a Christmas CD and the other a tribute to the great Irish poet Thomas Moore. Both discs will be released in time for the Fall tour.

So as we head into Summer we will keep you apprised of the Fall tour and events relating to McDermott House Canada.

Enjoy the Spring, Happy Easter, and may you have a safe and sun-filled Summer.

John, Jason, Brian, George, Gary, Ray and Mick.

Feb 5, 2011 update: Zoomer Radio interviewed John about McDermott House Canada.

January 19, 2011 update: CBC video coverage of the funeral of Sgt. Ryan Russell, for which we were honoured to perform.

As we come to end of another year, a wonderful year, we look back at the fond memories of the Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall. Of the sheer joy we had on tour and now the reality of McDermott House Canada Foundation.

I am so proud of the wonderful board of directors for MHC, my partner Trudy Eagan, and the incredible team at Sunnybrook working together to allow McDermott House Canada to accomplish the amazing transformation of the palliative care unit in K1E Veterans wing at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Over the next 3 years we will endeavour to raise the funds required to complete our mission and with your help and support it will become a reality. I am asking that you share our dream with your family, friends and colleagues – every little bit helps and every donation will be acknowledged and appreciated.

The CD Journeys will continue to be available in stores with the proceeds going to MHC.

Our touring schedule for 2011 is well underway and many of the dates are now posted on the website with many more to come. Thank you for your support throughout 2010 and we look forward to sharing our music with you in 2011.

Best wishes to all of you for a very happy, safe and joyful holiday Season and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

John, Jason, Brian, George, Ray, Gary…and of course, Rosie

Well that was the best Summer we have had in a good number of years. Lots of easy, quiet time at home with family and friends, so we’re well rested and raring to go. The Fall tour is upon us and we have some very exciting news to share with you – McDERMOTT HOUSE CANADA is now a reality.

The Fall 2010 tour is a coast-to-coast affair, beginning on Vancouver Island and then heading off to Atlantic Canada. My guests this year are Cape Breton Fiddling sensation Rosie Mackenzie who will be joining up with us when we begin our east Coast tour in Moncton on November 18th and she’ll be with us for the remainder of the tour.

Also joining us will be legendary Canadian singer/songwriter Dan Hill, December 3rd through 5th and 15th to 22nd. After almost a decade away from the stage Dan is back on the road with the release of his newest most personal recording to date “Intimate” and his bestselling memoir I am My Father’s Son. We are really looking forward to performing with Dan and having him share his songs and stories with all of us.

I have always been truly fortunate to be supported by some of Canada’s finest musicians and this tour is no exception. My musical director is superb guitarist and vocalist Mr. Jason Fowler, guitarist and vocalist Brian “Hutch” MacMillan, Bluegrass fiddle and mandolin virtuoso Ray Legere, bass player George Koller (Holly Cole & Loreena McKennitt) and drummer/percussionist extraordinaire Gary Craig (Anne Murray).

As always we will be adding a few surprise guests and letting you know along the way.

JOURNEYS TO RETAIL

I am happy to announce that Universal Music Canada will be releasing the CD Journeys across Canada on November 9th of this year at the retail level for the first time. Journeys will continue to be available in our online store. They are also re-releasing the original version of Danny Boy, the CD that launched my career for the first time! A portion of the sales from Journeys will be donated to McDermott House Canada.

We are looking forward to the tour, see you on the road.

John, Jason, Brian, George and Gary

I hope you are enjoying this glorious summer. We’ve had little or no rain at all in April but it was certainly a very welcome and wet May and June – we really needed it. The bears are plentiful and they keep the dogs busy, the fishing is fantastic with Pike, Pickerel and more Bass than you can shake a stick at.

We are getting ready for the Summer dates and I am pleased to say that Eamonn Dillon, one of the finest Irish pipers in the world will be joining us in Cleveland July 23,24 and 25. We have not seen Eamonn in a couple of years and it will be great to reunite with him for 3 days, He is a talent that should not be missed.

Over the past 12 months we have been working very hard on a project that is near and dear to me. We have received confirmation recently that McDermott House Canada will be a reality in 2011. More information coming soon…

The fall 2010 tour is a coast-to-coast affair, beginning on Vancouver Island and then heading off to Atlantic Canada. My guests this year are Cape Breton Fiddling sensation Rosie Mackenzie who will be joining up with us when we begin our east Coast tour in Moncton on November 18th and she’ll be with us for the remainder of the tour.

Also joining us will be legendary Canadian singer/songwriter Dan Hill, December 3rd through 5th and 15th to 22nd. After almost a decade away from the stage Dan is back on the road with the release of his newest most personal recording to date “Intimate” and his bestselling memoir I am My Father’s Son. We are really looking forward to performing with Dan and having him share his songs and stories with all of us.

I have always been truly fortunate to be supported by some of Canada’s finest musicians and this tour is no exception. My musical director is superb guitarist and vocalist Mr. Jason Fowler, guitarist and vocalist Brian “Hutch” MacMillan, Bluegrass fiddle and mandolin virtuoso Ray Legere, bass player George Koller (Holly Cole & Loreena McKennitt) and drummer/percussionist extraordinaire Gary Craig (Anne Murray).

As always we will be adding a few surprise guests and letting you know along the way.

JOURNEYS TO RETAIL

I am happy to announce that Universal Music Canada will be releasing the CD Journeys across Canada on November 9th of this year at the retail level for the first time. Journeys will continue to be available in our online store. They are also re-releasing the original version of Danny Boy, the CD that launched my career on the same day!

McDERMOTT HOUSE CANADA

Announcement coming very soon.

I wish you all a happy, safe and enjoyable summer with those that you love, and please keep our veterans and their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

See you on the road…

John, Jason, Brian, George and Gary

It’s time again for the [6th] annual John Prine Shrine: A Tribute to the music of John Prine.

Onstage this year are Brian MacMillan, John McDermott, Jory Nash, Layah Jane, Russel de Carle, Suzie Vinnick and host Jason Fowler.

Returning for the 2nd year is the stellar backup band of Blake Papsin (mandolin & guitar), Christine Bougie (lap steel, guitar & drums) and George Koller (bass).

It’s Easter Saturday (family dinner’s the next night, right?) so come on out and sing along to your favorite Prine songs.

Saturday, April 3rd
Hugh’s Room
2261 Dundas St. West (just south of Bloor St.)
Tel. 416.531-6604
$22 advance, $25 at the door
Book your tickets now!!!

The end of another great tour! My band mates Gary Craig, Ray Legere, Brian Macmillan, musical director Jason Fowler and George Koller were terrific – what an outstanding job they did. I am very fortunate to have this superb cast of truly talented and innovative musicians as my team and I am excited about the coming year and our next tour. Most of our 2010 concert schedule is now posted with just a few dates open for R & R, and we have a lot planned including a couple of new CD’s, a DVD and a few other surprises coming for the new year. 2009 has seen a lot of changes for me personally and it has been one the best, most enjoyable, and satisfying years of my career.

I want to mention Canada Company – joining forces with this wonderful organization has afforded me the opportunity to help support the families and the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces. The sacrifices made by them cannot be measured and for that we are eternally grateful.

Our work with Fisher House Boston is continuing and we will keep you up to date on details of events to support this great organization.

Please join me on March 19th and 20th at Hugh’s Room in Toronto for an evening with Michael Peter Smith and Valdy. These shows will be recorded for a future DVD/CD and it promises to be a night to remember. For more details and to reserve tickets visit www.hughsroom.com or call 416.531.6604

As we head into another year we want to wish all of you and yours a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy and healthy New Year.

Gary, Ray, John, Brian, Jason and George

PS: Received an early Christmas present – we’ve been nominated for an Irish Music Association award for Best Irish Tenor!