Ready to rock
Clinton and Ross join Hogan for this week’s ceilidh at Emerald Boxcar
Fiddler Courtney Hogan will be joined at the Emerald Community Centre this Friday evening by special guests Peggy Clinton and Johnny Ross. Hogan will be hosting the ceilidh series all summer long, but is especially looking forward to hosting Clinton and Ross for their only performance of the season.
Clinton’s charming personality and storytelling leaves audiences with a smile on their face. Her large repertoire of Celtic and traditional music blended with some country favourites will have every hand clapping. She started singing at the age of five, tagging along with her father Alphy Perry during his shows in St. Edwards. Now married with four children of her own, Clinton has been part of several Island groups including The Wild Flowers and Landslide. After taking a break from music to spend time with her family, she has re-joined the music scene.
She’ll be joined on keyboard by another Island musician Johnny Ross, best known for his rendition of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire”. “When Johnny starts jumping and playing the piano with his feet I always thought he must be channelling the ghost of Jerry Lee Lewis. Then I found out Jerry was still alive,” laughs Clinton.
Ross’ lively performances mixed with his old-time piano
tunes also helped him launch a new P.E.I. music-award nominated CD last year. Ceilidh host Hogan might also be considered one of the hardest working musicians on P.E.I. With a full-time job as a veterinarian, a music career that has spanned over 20 years, four P.E.I. music-award nominated CDs, a sold-out Ceilidh Cookbook, guardian of eight rescue animals and a new mom, she is still active in the music scene playing small halls all over P.E.I. However she finds comfort playing her own shows at the Emerald Boxcar.
“Playing this close to home in such a beautiful venue always makes for a fun night,” says Hogan.
The group will be joined by one of P.E.I.’s finest step-dancers, Madison Coles. Under the direction of Michelle Banks, Coles is an award-winning dancer and has competed throughout the Atlantic provinces and was recently a gold medallist at the Atlantic Championship.
The ceilidh will take place Friday evening at 7:30 at the Emerald Community Centre. All ages are welcome. Admission to the ceilidh is $10 at the door. 50/50 tickets, Island postcards, CDs and souvenir T-shirts are also available at the door.