Our cultural traditions go back to pioneer times in Eastern Kings.

Rawlins Cross performing in the Road to Rollo Bay Series in 1996

Music always has been and continues to be a prominent and indeed a vital part of Eastern Kings life. Local performers such as the Abilene Mist, Wilfred Bernard, Urban Carmichael, the many members of the Bear River Chaisson family, Johnny Joe Lem Chaisson, Lemuel Chaisson, Colette Cheverie, Neil Cheverie, Omar Cheverie, Peggy Clinton, the Deagle family, the Eastern Kings Chorus - also known as a Joyful Sound, John Ellis, Emery Gillan, Mark Haines, Richard MacGregor, Stewart MacIntyre, George MacPhee, Angus McPhee, Andy Mooney, Michael O'Connor, Cliff Peters, Bonnie Aitken Townshend and Francis A. White have reflected positively on the area. The many winners within the P.E.I. Music Festivals over the decades also reflects this tradition.

Jenn Grant, Randy Cheverie of Boys In The Kitchen, singer Kendall Docherty, singer Anne Marie (Gallant) Johnson, fiddler Paul MacDonald, Marilyn MacCormack, pipers Ellen & John MacPhee, Matt McQuaid of the Rude Mechanicals, singer Kerri Wynne MacLeod, three time E.C.M.A. award nominee Maxine MacLeod, the late Lem Paquet and internationally known fiddler Richard Wood have their roots in the area.

The Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival Grounds today is the central venue in the summertime for local musicians and performers from away. In the summer months, it hosts the P.E.I. Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Festival, the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival and ceilidhs.

Click on the link for an interesting article entitled "And It was a Good Pastime" Old Time Fiddling on Prince Edward Island by Ken Perlman.

The area's natural talent is enhanced with music education and the revival of the School Band at Souris High!

Other groups and individuals who have appeared on the stage in Rollo Bay include: April Wine, Julian Austin, Barachois, The Barra MacNeil's, Andrea Beaton, Donald Angus Beaton, Kinnon Beaton, The Bluegrass Thoroughbreds, John Campbell, Susan-Campbell-Jackson, J. P. Cormier, Damhnait Doyle, Fiddler's Sons, Kimberley Fraser, Full House, Lennie Gallant, Great Big Sea, Highland Heights, Jerry Holland, Ron Hynes, Leahy, Bishop Faber MacDonald, Howie MacDonald, Ward MacDonald, Ashley MacIsaac, Carl MacKenzie, Sheila MacKenzie, Cynthia MacLeod, Buddy MacMaster, Natalie MacMaster, Mark MacPhee, The Mahones, Mike Martell, McKeel, Rawlins Cross, Sandbox, Grammy nominees Kenny & Amanda Smith Band, Slainte Mhath String Lingo and Richard Wood.

Many performers from away have offered their talents at various venues from the Cafetorium at the Souris Regional High School, to the smaller community venues. Performers who have appeared in the various venues over the years to receptive and enthusiastic audiences include: Abraham's Children, Kevin Beanlands, The Blue Crystals, John Allan Cameron, Chrissy Crowley, The Ellis Family Band, Everyday People, Faces featuring Kim Albert, Sheree Fitch, Jimmy Flynn, Fred & Floss, The Good Brothers, Jenn Grant, Haywire, Jerry Holland, The Irish Descendants, Roy Johnstone, Terry Kelly, MacKeel, Rita MacNeil, Minglewood, Bruce & Stuart Murray, Patricia Murray, Eric Nagler, Michael Pendergast, Pepper Tree, Al Purdy, The Rankin Family, Wayne Rostad, Rick Salutin, Sam Moon & The Universal Power, Soma, The Strait Area Scottish Strings, The Travellers The Tremtones, and Nancy White.

April Wine, who less than a decade later were opening for the Rolling Stones on tour, made their first P.E.I. appearance in February 1971 performing for the Coronation Dance of the Souris Regional High Winter Carnival.

Copyright
Waldron H. Leard