Renowned Canadian singer-songwriter to perform at MERA schoolhouse

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By EMC News

EMC Entertainment - Perth-based James Keelaghan has been called Canada's finest singer-songwriter by one of the most respected music journalists, and is performing at the MERA Schoolhouse in McDonald's Corners at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24 in one of his rare local appearances.

For almost a quarter of a century now, this poet laureate of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with a combination of passion, curiosity intent and intensity. His songs fill 11 CDs, including a Juno winner.

Possessed of an insatiable appetite for finding the next unique story line, Keelaghan forges his pieces with brilliant craftsmanship and monogrammed artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices on both the Canadian and international singer-songwriter scenes.

His journey has attracted fans of literate and layered songwriting to join him on his artistic expeditions, some of which weave their way through marvelously etched historical stories with underlying universal themes, others of which mine the depths of the soul and the emotional trails of human relations.

His songbook has enlightened, enthralled, and been embraced, by audiences around the world.

Keelaghan is a disciplined visionary with several aces up his sleeve. He loves language and history, a subject in which he earned a degree, he is a skilled thespian, which explains his ability to make an immediate connection with a live audience, and he has an ear for memorable melodies and harmonies that make those melodies glisten.

Admiration and respect for his work amongst his peers is reflected in the words of double Juno-winner David Francey who recently stated that "James Keelaghan is a voice in contemporary Canadian songwriting that has helped us define who we are as a people. He writes with great humanity and honesty, with an eye to the past and a vision of the future. He has chronicled his times with powerful and abiding songs, with heart and eyes wide open."

Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door) at www.ticketsplease.ca, call (613) 485-6434 or in person at Jo's Clothes in Perth. Seating is limited.