![]() What was it like the first time you played to a crowd of strangers and where was it? Playing for your family was no doubt a big source of support and confidence. That was exciting for me, then running and telling my mother I got it! It was tough to play in A so I mastered it in G and then A. I don’t recall the first song I played, but the song Big John McNeill was one that I tried very hard to learn. The first real song I played was called “Space Available” by Marcel Doucet inspired by a trip he had made to Labrador.ĭL: Mom and dad took me to Toronto when I was three and bought me my first fiddle which I do remember. NM: Yes I do, I was 9 and my fist song was “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. Natalie and Donnell were kind enough to share some time with Celtic Canada and here’s what we talked about.ĭo you remember the first time you picked up a fiddle and what was the first real song you played? Raising their sizeable family, maintaining disciplined practice schedules and overseeing the school work of ‘the house band’ makes for a very busy life. ![]() She married Donnell Leahy of the Leahy family band and relocated to his home town of Lakefield, Ontario in 2002. ![]() Her performances at world class festivals like Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours, Scotland’s Celtic Connections and America’s Merle Fest are legend. Six singles, five videos and some 14 albums make for a most impressive catalogue of works but within her special world, one can sense simple pleasures like baking cookies with her family give Natalie a very important unique sense of pride and special satisfaction. In addition to appearing with Donnell and several of their seven children on stage, Natalie has also performed with such names as Carlos Santana, Faith Hill, Yo-Yo Ma, The Chieftains, Bruce Guthro, Cookie Rankin and Alison Krauss. Her global audience is now as diverse as the artists she has played and recorded with, most notably her husband Donnell Leahy, a highly accomplished and famous musician in his own right. The pride of Troy, Nova Scotia, Natalie was born in 1972 and has since gone on to receive Canada’s most prestigious musical achievements, a Juno Award, twice in fact, as well as The Order of Canada. ‘East Coast Artist of the Year’ and Canadian Country Music’s ‘Fiddler of the Year’ are also amongst her accomplishments. When Canadians think of beauty, talent, and a warm wonderful personality accompanied by Celtic fiddle music, it’s likely the image of Natalie MacMaster that first comes to mind.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |