Friendly stage
Emerald ceilidh set for Friday featuring Hogan, Wood and Belsher
Island fiddler Courtney Hogan is welcoming a good friend to the stage of the Emerald Boxcar Pub and Grill.
Richard Wood, one of the Island’s most well-known and accomplished musicians, will join Hogan for her weekly ceilidh on Aug. 6.
“We call him ‘The Godfather’,” said Hogan.
“He’s the godfather to my son and is such an inspiration to him, as well as the P.E.I. music scene. He sets the bar high with his second-to-none talent and stage presence.”
Wood has played across Canada, the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia, along with appearances on “David Letterman,” “Good Morning America,” and Carnegie Hall.
He has won three East Coast Music Awards, and “MacLean’s Magazine” named him one of the Top 100 Canadians to watch in the 21st century. But despite his success, he has always called Prince Edward Island home and enjoys playing to packed crowds at small venues and pubs across P.E.I.
Hogan and Wood’s friendship on and off the stage is apparent throughout the show as Hogan admits Wood is one of the few guests she actually rehearses with.
“We got together a lot over last winter to jam out some new material together. There’s some pieces that can only be done when Richard’s around, and I’m looking forward to trying out some new material Friday night.”
The fiery fiddlers will be joined on stage by Wood’s touring singer and guitarist Gordon Belsher. No stranger to the music scene, Belsher has entertained audiences for over 40 years, playing at concerts, conventions, ceilidhs and pubs all around the world. He also has a recording studio in Guersney Cove and was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Music P.E.I. in 2014.
Also taking the stage is stepdancer Janelle Banks.
The ceilidh kicks off today at 7:30 p.m. The Emerald Boxcar Pub and Grill will be open for food and drinks starting at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the event is at the door. All ages are welcome, and CDs, 50/50 tickets and souvenir T-shirts will be available.