We were able to stay at Ramea for only 2 of the 3 days of music at the Rock Island Music Festival (
http://www.explorenewfoundlandandlabrador.com/communities/ramea.htm), but that was enough time to prove that the islands are filled with musical talent.
The musicians ranged from the local heating oil delivery man who played his Fender Stratocaster bass to perfection, to a retired fishermen who "wailed" on a mean button accordion, to a Nashville "session" musician whose original music hit at the heart of the out-port experience. What these musicians had in common was talent and the desire to create and present music based on their own experiences, history, and values. This they did at a very high level.
I had several favorites among the many players. Stan MacDonald (photo left) has been making music in Ramea and elsewhere in Newfoundland for many years. He was kind enough to dedicate several of his popular songs to a few of the visiting sailors in the audience. Stan was accompanied by banjoist and sailor Jim Shaw (photo right). Jim and wife Judie spend part of the summer on Ramea, and we were able to compare sailing experiences and well as musical tastes.
Craig Young is another musician I met on the wharf just prior to the festival. Craig was born in nearby Grey River and has worked in Nashville and many other places in the US. He is well known and appreciated throughout Newfoundland. It was a pleasure to watch Craig work and to listen to his original songs describing life and family in and near Ramea and Grey River. Like most musicians at the festival, Craig was accompanied by close friends and family members on stage.
Another special favorite was Roland Skinner, whose music included some of the older traditional ballads of the British Isles as well as music specific to this part of Newfoundland. In addition to being a talented and capable musician, Roland also found time to fill
Kerry Deare's larder with fresh moose steaks from the hills of Newfoundland. "Yummy" just doesn't cover it. Thanks, Roland.
Don't think for a minute that this
kind of music is comprised entirely of staid front porch ballads sung by retired postal workers. Once these musicians get going, there is no way for the audience to sit still. They just get out on the floor and "do it."
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The musicians ranged from the local heating oil delivery man who played his Fender Stratocaster bass to perfection, to a retired fishermen who "wailed" on a mean button accordion, to a Nashville "session" musician whose original music hit at the heart of the out-port experience. What these musicians had in common was talent and the desire to create and present music based on their own experiences, history, and values. This they did at a very high level.
I had several favorites among the many players. Stan MacDonald (photo left) has been making music in Ramea and elsewhere in Newfoundland for many years. He was kind enough to dedicate several of his popular songs to a few of the visiting sailors in the audience. Stan was accompanied by banjoist and sailor Jim Shaw (photo right). Jim and wife Judie spend part of the summer on Ramea, and we were able to compare sailing experiences and well as musical tastes.
Craig Young is another musician I met on the wharf just prior to the festival. Craig was born in nearby Grey River and has worked in Nashville and many other places in the US. He is well known and appreciated throughout Newfoundland. It was a pleasure to watch Craig work and to listen to his original songs describing life and family in and near Ramea and Grey River. Like most musicians at the festival, Craig was accompanied by close friends and family members on stage.
Another special favorite was Roland Skinner, whose music included some of the older traditional ballads of the British Isles as well as music specific to this part of Newfoundland. In addition to being a talented and capable musician, Roland also found time to fill Kerry Deare's larder with fresh moose steaks from the hills of Newfoundland. "Yummy" just doesn't cover it. Thanks, Roland.
Don't think for a minute that this kind of music is comprised entirely of staid front porch ballads sung by retired postal workers. Once these musicians get going, there is no way for the audience to sit still. They just get out on the floor and "do it."
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