Two for one
Songwriters Dave Gunning and James Keelaghan in Summerside
As individuals, Dave Gunning and James Keelaghan can hold an audience’s attention with their hand crafted songs and stories.
I know that because I’ve watched these Canadian singersongwriters do just that in solo performances over the past 20 years.
So, when I heard that these Canadian folk/roots musical giants would be sharing the stage in an upcoming tour, I got excited.
It’s not only a chance to hear them share their own compositions, songs like Gunning’s ‘These Hands’ and Keelaghan’s ‘Cold Missouri Waters’, it’s an opportunity to hear them singing together.
“We haven’t come up with our list as of yet, but we will each be picking songs from our respective lists of songs and working out a way to play them together. Allie Bennett will also be joining us for the tour to play bass guitar,” says Gunning, of the concert that will hit the boards of the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside on Friday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Gunning
“Hanging with James is a lot of fun. He’s one of the most brilliant artists I know and just a shares my excitement. really great guy to be around,” says Gunning, during an interview via email.
Their musical friendship began 10 years ago. Then, three years ago, the two singer-songwriters did a run of shows together in the United States and had “a really great time.”
“And he’s been one of my favourite singer-songwriters for many years.”
Keelaghan is also looking forward to touring with his old friends through the Maritimes, next week.
“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a blast,” says the Perth-based musician in a telephone interview and he is enjoying a busy year. He’s artistic director of Summer Folk in Owen Sound and the Stewart Park Music Festival in Perth, Ont. And, as artist in residence at the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton, this past fall, he did some major songwriting.
Expect to hear some of his new gems woven into the fabric of the Jan. 12 program.
“We will be performing some of these songs as well as some songs that Dave and I have written. I’m also hard-pressed to think that we’re not going to do some writing when we’re on the road.”