John McDermott concert at Andover Elementary thrills crowd
A September benefit concert featuring an internationally acclaimed Scottish-Irish singer will help feed families in western New Brunswick and ensure that young students continue their musical education.
The John McDermott benefit concert, hosted by the Rotary Club of Perth-Andover, raised over $6,000 for The Grace Notes Music Academy and the Making a Difference Food Bank. In addition to ticket sales, an anonymous benefactor donated $4,000. Each group will receive more than $5,000 from the one-night event.
“It was an incredible concert. John is a great performer and took time to meet many people in the audience, taking pictures and signing autographs,” said Dr. Terry Shaw, event organizer. “Generous community supporters of the food bank, music academy and the Rotary Club paid for the concert costs, leaving all ticket sales to support these worthwhile causes.”
McDermott and his band performed at Andover Elementary School for almost two hours, thrilling the audience with enduring songs such as Danny Boy, My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, and Scotland the Brave. It was the only scheduled event for McDermott in New Brunswick during his 2025 North American tour.
Dr. Shaw said McDermott also donated half of the proceeds from his merchandise sales to the not-for-profit music academy and invited young musicians backstage to meet band members during the intermission. At the end of the event, McDermott donated numerous copies of his latest recording, Scrapbook and his popular Christmas album to Grace Notes students as a fundraiser.
“John is a great performer and a very generous individual. He enjoyed his visit to Perth-Andover, seeing old friends and performing for worthy and important community causes,” Dr. Shaw said.
McDermott is Canada’s best-known Irish and Scottish tenor, releasing his first album in 1992. The musician has recorded 25 albums over his lengthy career, including double- and triple-platinum releases. McDermott’s concerts have been described as an intimate evening with a friend – if your friend can sing songs like the Cliffs of Doneen and Red is the Rose with a warm, lilting voice that leaves everyone clamouring for more.
The concert featured McDermott’s bandmates, accomplished musicians Jason Fowler on guitar, Maury LaFoy on bass, and Drew Jurecka on fiddle.
