Rita MacNeil

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MacNeil, Rita
Rita MacNeil, folksinger (born Big Pond, Cape Breton, NS, 28 May 1944, died there 16 April 2013). MacNeil moved to Toronto at 17, wrote her first song and began performing periodically at coffeehouses and folk clubs. She moved to Ottawa and before returning home to Cape Breton she recorded 3 albums on independent labels. Once home in Big Pond, MacNeil formed a trio and resurrected her career. She received her big break with a 6-week run at Expo '86 in Vancouver. She was signed by Virgin Records and her first record for Virgin, Flying on Your Own, was an instant success and won her a JUNO AWARD as Most Promising Female Artist. The following year, Reason To Believe sold more than 200 000 albums in Canada and was a best-seller in Australia and Great Britain.

MacNeil's distinctive voice and affecting songs have appealed to both pop and country music audiences on such albums as Home I'll Be (1990), Thinking of You (1992) and Porch Songs (1995). She has also recorded 2 popular Christmas albums, Now The Bells Ring (1988) and Once Upon a Christmas (1993). She began hosting a top-rated CBC television program, The Rita MacNeil Show, in 1994 which consistently drew audiences of 2 million viewers. The show was eventually cancelled while at the height of its popularity, amidst much controversy. However, MacNeil continues to tour and record such albums as Music of A Thousand Nights (1997). A 3-time Juno Award winner, MacNeil was presented with the Order of Canada in 1992.

Author JEFF BATEMAN


Links to Other Sites
Rita MacNeil
The official website for Rita MacNeil features her biography, discography, album notes, lyrics, and audio clips.

Rita MacNeil, Cape Breton singer, dies at 68
A CBC obituary for beloved Cape Breton singer Rita MacNeil.

Rita MacNeil
An obituary for Rita MacNeil, who was "known as Cape Breton's first lady of song. From thestar.com.

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