News Article

Music PEI and CBC are proud to present a remarkable concert which pays tribute to the legendary PEI singer/songwriter, Gene MacLellan. The concert was recorded at Zion Presbyterian Church January 2012. It will air across the country on CBC Television on Saturday April 6th at 12:00noon ET.

The Songs of Gene MacLellan was produced by Music PEI. The concert features performances of Gene’s songs from his daughter, Catherine MacLellan, Newfoundland’s folk singer-songwriter legend Ron Hynes, and PEI-born singer-songwriters Lennie Gallant, Meaghan Blanchard and Dennis Ellsworth and Haunted Hearts. John Connolly was the musical director for the concert.

“Gene wrote some beautiful songs that stand the test of time and these wonderful new interpretations by some great PEI artists will delight new and old fans alike!” says Music PEI’s Executive Director Rob Oakie.

The late Gene MacLellan left behind a huge musical legacy. From Anne Murray’s first hit Snowbird (which sold over a million copies) to Put Your Hand In The Hand (one of his other major successes recorded by Elvis, Anne Murray, Bing Crosby and many others) the PEI songwriter’s music has sold over 80-million records and has been performed by over 100 artists in more than 25 countries.

His legacy lives on through his daughter Catherine, who hosted the evening, and performed Snowbird for the appreciative audience. Catherine MacLellan, is well-known throughout the Maritimes and beyond for her own very successful singing and songwriting career. “It was really a thrill to be a part of this tribute concert for my father. My whole family was truly honoured and moved by the whole event, realizing how much people still love Dad’s music and hearing all the stories about Gene that resurfaced from old friends during this time.”