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The Cottars were greeted with a standing ovation at their performance at the NS. Chamber of Commerce Banquet in Sydney, Thursday evening. Premier John Hamm insisted on meeting the Cottars personally backstage afterwards, and showered the children with compliments. Their booking agent for the evening, Rave Entertainment, was delighted with the performance and response to the new rising young stars of Celtic music and promised new forthcoming bookings, indeed.
May 8, 2001 History will be made when the N.S. Chambers of Commerce (NSCC) meet in Sydney May 10th & 11th. This will be the first time ever for C.B. to host this annual event, and will feature entertainment by the rising stars of Celtic music, "The Cottars". "The program" said Harvey Webber, "features varied speakers. Among them will be Dr. Ken MacLeod of Silicon Island Art & Innovation Centre, Dr. Patricia Ripley, Deputy Minister, Dept. of Intergovernmental Affairs and Ian Thompson, President, Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce." A banquet Thursday evening, May 10th, will feature an address by Premier John Hamm. "But", said Avvie Druker, "we then have a change of pace with a high spot in entertainment, uniquely Cape Breton. "The Cottars" are to entertain at this banquet. This group of young people with their extraordinary talent will, I am sure, be a hit. They blend music, song and dance in a performance that will make a lasting impression..."
May 4, 2001 It's been an exciting few weeks for 12 year old Fiona MacGillivray, of Mira. Fiona is the lead singer for Cape Breton's newest Celtic band, The Cottars, which includes her brother, Ciarán, and another team of young siblings, Jimmie and Roseanne MacKenzie, of Baddeck. In mid-April, Fiona was asked to record "Fare Thee Well Love" for "Cape Breton By Request", an upcoming compilation CD from Stephen MacDonald Productions. Fiona's beautiful rendition of the popular Rankins tune was the only 'new' piece of music recorded for the CD and she was thrilled to work with producers Gordie Sampson and Fred Lavery at Lakewind Sound. Next, film director Daniel Matmor, who spotted Fiona on the Barra MacNeils' Christmas special, visited the MacGillivray home and offered the youngster a principal role in a movie to be filmed in Nova Scotia this summer. More details to come on that one. April 21, Fiona and her brother entertained Lt.-Gov. Myra Freeman and were invited on the spot to perform at Government House in Halifax. The final exciting event took place last weekend, when Nashville director Jim Spitler, who has worked with country stars Garth Brooks and Shania Twain, spent the day filming The Cottars at locations around Iona. Monday, the crew took Fiona back to Lakewind to record a music video to be used as a demo for a proposed TV special which would feature The Cottars. Fiona and Ciarán are the children of well-known Cape Breton songwriter Allister MacGillivray and his wife Beverly. - Laurel Monroe, Cape Breton Post
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