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22 Artscene charity has many different initiatives, but McDermott has specified that money from the recording go to its scholarship fund for children who have lost a parent serving in Belgium with the RAF, my mother's brother, my uncle Michael, died as a PoW in the Changi Prison Camp, which was a real hell hole. I also had three cousins in Vietnam, so we've always had a great, quiet respect for the veteran community," he said. "When I achieved a level of success in 1994, I remember a conversation with my dad, who said, `Son, if you ever get to a point where you can afford to focus on the issue of veterans, you won't go wrong.'" Many of the songs on the album are written by folk singer-songwriter Eric Bogle, who is known for his songs about war, such as No Man's Land and The Green Fields of France. McDermott also collaborated on several of the songs, such as To the End of the Road with Murray McLauchlan and Along the Merry Road to Hell with Lawrence Gowan. McDermott said the album is very important to him, as it comes after a difficult period of his life. " T h e intent was to do something I haven't done in a long time, and · WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2009 `Tis the season for John McDermott parents, a sister, my brother Michael died before he was 53 years old, and there are a OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF lot of issues that are attached to the life experiences we have. This was a very subHe's already performed more than a conscious thing in the selection of materidozen concerts in the past month, but John al." McDermott's voice doesn't disclose a hint of McDermott usually takes a musical guest exhaustion. with him on his tours. This year's guest is Speaking on the phone the mornsinger/bassist Russell De Carle of Prairie ing after a concert in Oyster. Brampton, with anoth"I've known Russell for a long time and er performance he just finished a new album and I got a copy t h a t of it and it's terrific," he said. "It's a solo projnight in ect, but he had no tour lined up to promote London, it, so I asked him to come do a few songs on t h e tour with us. He is such a wonderful enterCanadian tainer." folk singer McDermott's final concert of the tour is still speaks on Dec. 23 in Toronto. After that, he said he enthusiastically looks forward to spending Christmas with about his holiday his wife and their three dogs at their tour. home on Georgian Bay. In the McDermott, 54, new year, he'll start work is famous across the on a new country for his Christmas Christmas shows. This C D year's two-month tour that featured almost daily cont h e i s certs across Ontario in military. slated November, followed by daily "The response to f o r shows in December in the new recording has been release Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and overwhelming," said McDermott. in the fall. Saskatchewan. "We've raised a lot of money for the foundaHe said The five-time Juno Awardtion for the children of military personnel Christmas is nominee is playing larger centres, one of the like Calgary and Ottawa, as well as smaller killed in active duty. The beauty of this is that families don't have to go through most special towns like Moose Jaw, SK and Fort MacLeod, Ottawa to get access. They can contact times of the year AB. Canada Company directly and they will for him. He's stopping at the respond." "This year, I'll Oakville Centre for the "It's just one big community, Along this theme, get in my truck and Performing Arts for two this country. Every year, I look the tour features two visit my siblings on shows on Dec. 18. forward to this (tour)." Canadian veterans who Christmas Eve and When asked if there is a will be sharing their stoBoxing Day, and for place he enjoys performing John McDermott ries with audiences. Christmas, I'm having a at the most, McDermott traditional Polish "They are very Canadian folk singer remains diplomatic. Christmas because my wife young and they have "Everywhere we go, the is Polish," he said. "We eat active duty experiresponse is amazing and copious amounts of food, ence, and I think M you meet so many new US much like everyone else. My people and you have so many different sto- people need to see how young they McDe ICIAN ON brother-in-law is an amazing are and how wonderful they are on h rmott ries," he said in his rich, Scottish-Canadian w AM show is annu ill per cook, so I can't wait." I accent. "It's just one big community, this after this experience," he said. s on al ho form SSIO SUB N: C John McDermott performs at McDermott has a long history of trac l Dec country. Every year, I look forward to this." MIT k . 18 iday to TED ur. H s from anadia . the Oakville Centre on Friday, Dec. supporting military causes in both Canada PHO This year's holiday tour has special meannf his e is TO 18 at 4 and 8 p.m. Tickets cost $51.99 com new a olk sing ing for McDermott, as it will feature tracks and the United States. For his support of veting lbum er Jo to $78.99. For tickets or information, erans' causes, John McDermott was made an that was to O from his new disc, Journeys. akvi , Journe hn call the box office at or visit lle f y The CD was released independently, so it honorary member of The War Amps. He also something peror t s, wo www.oc4pa.ca. is only for sale at concerts and online. All received the US Congressional Medal of sonal," he said. "The Journeys is available online at Honor Society's Bob Hope Award for his most personal album to date proceeds go to Canada Company, which is a www.johnmcdermott.com and at dedication to these causes. before this was certainly Danny Boy registered charity that supports members of "My father was in World War I based in (1993). Since Danny Boy, I've lost both my www.canadacompany.ca. Canada's military and their families. The By Tina Depko