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December 31, 2004 Hello Cottars Fans!! 2004 proved another FANTASTIC year for The Cottars: a new recording, tours of central and western Canada, more shows in the USA, appearances at major festivals, a second trip to Japan, national radio & TV appearances, fundraisers & telethons, and much more. Here are a few of the highlights: The year began with a return visit to Washington, DC where, during a tour of the city, band members viewed a collection of priceless violins made by Stradivarius, and saw the actual 'Star Spangled Banner'. The entourage was also presented with an American flag which had actually flown over the Capitol Dome at one point. The gala concert itself (which the year before had featured Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole). Back home, the band filmed a segment to aired during the ECMA broadcast in St. John’s, Newfoundland. February saw the foursome at Lakewind Sound, recording tracks for their new CD, 'On Fire'. Early March brought a tour of Ontario where the band gave performances to large crowds in Ottawa, Kingston, Oakville, Brampton, Brantford, Guelph, and St. Catherine’s. In late March, the band travelled through western Canada for several well-attended and enthusiastically received concert appearances. April found The Cottars back at Lakewind doing additional recording for the new CD. Final orchestral touches were added to the tracks at Manta and Inception Sound studios in Toronto. In May, The Cottars and The Chieftains performed 'live' in Halifax for the CBC-TV network, and then the Special 'The Chieftains In Canada' was rehearsed and taped at Electropolis. The band members had great fun hanging out with Jann Arden, Blue Rodeo, Vent Du Nord, the Inuit throatsingers, Nashville guitarist Jeff White, and The Chieftains themselves. In June, The Cottars joined Cape Breton fiddling great, Natalie MacMaster, for a couple of concerts in the Cape Cod, Massachusetts, area. On July 1st, Canada Day, a 30-minute special on The Cottars was broadcast by CBC-TV across the nation. Later in the month, K-94 put the band’s new single, 'Ready For The Storm' into regular rotation on its contemporary-music programme. July 16th, The Cottars and Raylene Rankin did an outdoor concert at Big Pond, CB, and on July 30th, it was off to The Glengarry Highland Games (ON). During August, members of the group studied Irish traditional music at The Gaelic College in St. Ann’s. In September, with Jason Fowler now subbing for Jimmy (who is ill), The Cottars played the prestigious Chicago Celtic Festival. Next came a performance in Cedar Rapids (Iowa), and the band finished up in Nashville, guests of banjo great, Alison Brown. During that stay, Fiona met ex-Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member, John McEuen. October included a wonderful week at Charlottetown’s Confederation Centre, a fundraiser for the CNIB in Halifax, a CD-launch in Toronto, and a 'Canada-AM' national CTV appearance. In December, following two shows in Wolfville (NS), The Cottars spent the rest of the month in Japan where they enjoyed Kabuki theatre, played in Hiroshima, and met HIH Princess Takamado. Besides performing, The Cottars had the opportunity to do major sightseeing: The White House, The Capitol Dome and The Smithsonian (Washington, DC), a Leafs/Bruins game (Toronto); the Ontario Science Centre; the musical 'The Producers' (Toronto); the coppermines of Sudbury (ON), Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré shrine, the Edison grammophone museum (QUE), the Country Music Hall of Fame (Nashville), The John Lennon Museum (Tokyo), the Asakusa Temple (Tokyo), Mount Fuji, and The Hiroshima Museum, and too much more to mention. For making 2004 a thrilling year, The Cottars would like to thank: family, friends and fans, McDermott Entertainment, Bob Jensen, Pat Garrett, Warner Canada, and the media Have a great 2005, from: Ciarán, Roseanne, Fiona & Jim :: THE COTTARS
December 21, 2004 A few days before Christmas (’04), thrilled and jet-lagged, The Cottars returned from their second highly successful tour of Japan. The teen quartet spent from December 7th until the 20th travelling by plane, bus, subway & bullet-train through that exotic land, making new friends and fans at every turn. Tour highlights included: full-house shows at The Canadian Embassy; performances for Ambassador Wright and Princess Takamado (of the Imperial Palace); a sold-out concert at Musashino Swing Hall, and an evening of music at the exclusive Tokyo Capital Club; a show in Shiga and another near Yaizu; teaching Cape Breton stepdancing to the enthusiastic Japanese; Celtic Festival appearances with “Altan” of Ireland (especially one show at the luxurious and famous Triphony Hall, Tokyo); and a marvellous and moving solo concert at Hiroshima. At every venue, extended, rhythmic applauses and encores were the order of the day. In their spare time, the band members enjoyed: sight-seeing and shopping; attending traditional Kabuki theatre; eating Japanese and East Indian fare; driving around Mount Fuji; visiting various temples (Tokyo) and anti-war museums (Hiroshima); strolling the Nagahama Royal Resort; touring the incredible John Lennon Museum; hanging out with Irish and Japanese musicians; and hobnobbing with royalty. Again, the hospitality of the people of Japan was overwhelming, and they cheered with delight as Ciarán spoke in Japanese during the concerts. On a number of occasions, in honour of their hosts, The Cottars performed the beautiful traditional tune “Sakura”, and that gesture received a very warm response.
December 2, 2004
CELTIC MUSIC
PRODIGIES THE COTTARS ARE COMING TO THE 2005 ARTS PRESENTERS
CONFERENCE BOSTON – McDermott Entertainment announced today that the The Cottars will make their Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference debut appearance on January 10th, 2005 at the Irish Arts Center at 553 West 51st Street in Manhattan (www.irishartscenter.org ). They will perform two separate 40-minute showcase sets, at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The four Cape Breton, Nova Scotia teenagers have been called “one of the hottest acts in the folk world today” by The Boston Globe, and were awarded the 2003 East Coast Music Award for Best New Artist. The Cottars are comprised of two brother-sister pairs: Jimmy (age 17) and Roseanne (age 15) MacKenzie, and Ciaran (age 16) and Fiona (age 15) MacGillivray. Each is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and step-dancer. Their APAP showcase performances will feature a sampling of The Cottars’ broad repertoire and talents: stirring instrumental medleys, stunning vocal harmonies, moving ballads, electrifying step-dance, and abundant humor and charm. “We are excited to come to the conference, meet delegates and other artists, and perform at The Irish Arts Center,” said Fiona MacGillivray, the band’s lead vocalist, who also plays harp, whistle, and percussion. “The showcase will be a great opportunity for people to see us at a place where our heroes The Chieftains made their very first appearance in America.” The Irish Arts Center is not The Cottars’ only connection to the Celtic legends – They performed as hand-picked guests of The Chieftains in their 2004 TV Concert special “The Chieftains in Canada.” The Cottars also starred in their own half-hour TV special, which aired across Canada earlier this year. The Cottars’ recordings include their 2002 debut "Made In Cape Breton" which featured a Canadian radio single version of Tom Waits’ “The Briar & The Rose,” and their recent follow-up, "On Fire", scheduled for U.S. release in 2005. They are managed by McDermott Entertainment of Boston, presenters of the showcase performances. Canadian bookings are handled by Bob Jensen of Jensen Music International (902-569-1955/ jensen@jproductions.com ). All other inquiries and questions should be directed to Ed Kenney at McDermott Entertainment (617-350-5646/ eok@mcdermottventures.com).
October 18, 2004 MLA Russell MacKinnon has introduced a "Cottars" resolution which was passed in The Nova Scotia House of Assembly on October 18, 2004. It reads: "WHEREAS Ciarán MacGillivray and Fiona MacGillivray of Marion Bridge, and Roseanne MacKenzie and Jimmy MacKenzie of Baddeck are a group of young, wholesome, talented Celtic musicians and singers known as The Cottars; and "WHEREAS The Cottars, who have already successfully launched two CD's entitled 'Made In Cape Breton' and 'On Fire', have just completed a major United States tour highlighted by their performance in Nashville, Tennessee, and are preparing for a two-week music tour of Japan in December 2004; "THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all members of this House acknowledge and congratulate The Cottars for their tremendous success and recognize The Cottars as goodwill ambassadors for Cape Breton and all of Nova Scotia."
October 18, 2004 "…THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all members of this House acknowledge and congratulate The Cottars for their tremendous success and recognize The Cottars as goodwill ambassadors for Cape Breton and all of Nova Scotia.” — Resolution passed by The Nova Scotia House of Assembly, October 18, 2004
July 1, 2004 Writing a review of the Cottars "ON FIRE" CD will likely be one of the more difficult tasks that I have taken on in recent years. Certainly not due to the quality of work involved in this project, but rather the fact that any words that I could lend to supporting the great value in this music will never do it justice. You really must hear "ON FIRE" for yourself, in order to appreciate the scope of talent wrapped up in these four jet-setting players. If I were forced to choose just one word to give an impression of their follow-up recording, it would definitely be Glorious. Sure, there are lots of great sets involved, showcasing standards like "The St. Anne's Reel", "Dinky Dorrian", and "The Swallow Tail", but this album sheds an enormous spotlight on the vocals of the MacGillivray siblings, which they no doubt have been blazing a trail towards perfection, all of their young lives. "ON FIRE" simply embraces this natural ability, and celebrates the evolving maturity that each demonstrates so exquisitely. Straight away you will be enthralled by the first cut entitled "Ready For The Storm", as Fiona MacGillivray's angelic voice soars to unimaginable new heights, with an incomparable musical arrangement, making for an absolutely beautiful rendition of the Dougie MacLean song. Definitely a favourite of mine on this collection. Fiona later offers her incredible touch to "The Cape Breton Lullaby". Most who have heard the Cottars, especially live, are well acquainted with her beautiful voice, which continues to surpass anyone past or present in depth, but now with this recording, fans will be equally inspired by the controlled and passionate delivery of her brother, Ciarán. Beginning with "Loch Tay Boat Song", the listener falls into a dream-like trance at the sheer presentation of this lovely song. "The Wild Goose Song", demonstrates the MacGillivray's ability to include lesser known, yet vibrant selections to add to their already outstanding repertoire. Ciarán grabs hold of this Wade Hemsworth composition, and makes it his own. Another stand out for me! The clincher on this production is "Reconciliation", which not only brings together all aspects of talent that are the Cottars, for an overwhelmingly beautiful number. "ON FIRE" captures Roseanne and Jimmy MacKenzie's instrumental enthusiasm, which has made this pairing of siblings so successful. From fiddle, guitar, harp to whistle, and backing vocals, the entire package is breathtaking. The Cottars are destined for a life of endless possibilities on the musical landscape, well into the future for generations of fans around the world.
— Wanda Earhart
June 24, 2004 "More than two years ago, I sang the praises of 'Made In Cape Breton', the first recording from The Cottars. In that time, they have toured all across Canada, the United States and beyond. Now, their second CD, 'On Fire', is out and available in stores. "With all that experience under their belt, I expected great things from their latest recording and I wasn't disappointed. The music is as good as ever, the vocals show more maturity, and The Cottars' sophomore CD is even better than their first one! " 'On Fire' contains a nice selection of songs not recorded by many other East Coast artists. For example, they do a lovely job on 'Ready For the Storm', a creative arrangement of The Clancy Brothers' old standard 'The Parting Glass', and a wonderful treatment of Ron Kavana's 'Reconciliation'.
"Some great tunes
on it as well, in several interesting combinations: Rosie & Jimmy
with a bodhrán/fiddle set; Fiona with a harp set; Jimmy leading the
guitar set; and the 'Planxty Mira Medley', named for Ciarán's
composition.
June 8, 2004 On June 8, 2004, The Cottars' second CD, "On Fire", was distributed by Warner Music Canada across the nation. Recorded during the spring at facilities in Cape Breton (Lakewind Studios) and Toronto (Manta & Inception Sound), the CD features 12 all-new song and instrumental tracks, including "Ready For The Storm", "Reconciliation" "Wild Goose", "The Boholla Medley", a Celtic harp selection, and an original composition by Ciarán entitled "Planxty Mira". As was the case with their first release ("Made In Cape Breton"), The Cottars involve some guest musicians, a real string section, (Note: you can order "On Fire" thru this website.)
May 30, 2004 During the final week of May, 2004, The Cottars joined The Chieftains, the world's most acclaimed Celtic group, to tape a TV special in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The one-hour CBC program, entitled "The Chieftains In Canada", also includes appearances by Jann Arden, Blue Rodeo, and other national music stars. Performed before a live audience, the program will be aired in the fall of 2004. The Cottars spent 5 exciting days rehearsing and getting to know Paddy Moloney and crew. And, an added treat came in the person of Jeff White, a talented guitarist and singer with Vince Gill's Nashville band, who travelled with The Chieftains for this engagement.
February 2, 2004 On February 29th, The Cottars flew out to Washington, DC — their 3rd trip to the US capital. The band and their families stayed at the elegant Washington Hilton, and took time out for a tour of the White House and the Capitol Building. At the latter site, they were presented with a large US flag which had once actually flown over the Capitol Building.
On January 31st,
The Cottars performed for 1500 guests in the ballroom of the Hilton.
In attendance were political and media high-rankers from both
Washington and across the country. The Cottars and McDermott each
received rousing standing ovations for their featured performances.
The following day was spent visiting the Smithsonian Institute,
where the highlights included seeing the actual Star Spangled
Banner, a collection of violins by Stadivarius, the Hope Diamond,
and a display dedicated to The Beatles. During the remaining days,
the entourage stayed with Colonel George Oliver and family at Fort
Myers
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