Beloved Canadian tenor John McDermott will be in Estevan on Wednesday, November 21, in a special concert for the Stars for Saskatchewan series.
The concert will be at the Estevan Comprehensive School, and it will begin at 7:30 p.m. In addition to his traditional songs, McDermott will perform Christmas selections with his trio.
McDermott was discovered when working as a circulation sales representative for the Toronto Sun. He belted out an impromptu rendition of “Danny Boy” at a company party. He has since become known for his music and his commitment to veterans' causes.
His first album, "Danny Boy," was originally recorded as a very private and personal 50th anniversary tribute for his parents. It eventually found its way into the hands of EMI Music Canada.
"Danny Boy" subsequently garnered strong sales for a debut release in the U.S. and Canada; it even reached number one on New Zealand’s album charts, and was certified as double platinum in that country.
This success led to McDermott's participation in the PBS series, "The Irish Tenors." John’s presence helped generate a U.S. gold record, three U.S. tours, and a high-profile media schedule.
He taped his first solo television special, “John McDermott – A Time to Remember” at the Living Arts Centre outside Toronto in November 2001.
That performance has catapulted him into a musical career that includes three Canadian platinum records, five Juno nominations, a solid international touring schedule, and many more albums, including his latest releases, "The Old House" and "My Gentle Harp."
His success has allowed him to express his commitment to veteran’s causes, which have always been important for McDermott and a recurring theme in his music. He is a recipient of one the United States' highest honours – the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s “Bob Hope Award.”
In 2010 John received a commendation from the Minister of Veteran’s Affairs for his work with veterans, including his foundation, McDermott House Canada, which is committed to creating an improved quality of care in the final stages of a terminal illness, coupled with a warm, welcoming place to stay in Canada for veterans, military members and first responders, along with their families.
