Rita MacNeil
Rita MacNeil, (born May 28, 1944 - April 16, 2013) is a Canadian country an… Read Full Bio ↴Rita MacNeil, (born May 28, 1944 - April 16, 2013) is a Canadian country and folk singer from the community of Big Pond on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island. Her biggest hit, "Flying On Your Own", was a crossover Top 40 hit in 1987 and was covered by Anne Murray the following year, although she has had hits on the country charts throughout her career. In the United Kingdom, MacNeil's song "Working Man" was a #11 hit in 1990.
In 1990, she was the bestselling country artist in Canada, outselling even Garth Brooks and Clint Black. She is also the only female singer ever to have three separate albums chart in the same year in Australia.
A native of Big Pond, Cape Breton County, MacNeil first performed on stage in 1971, and recorded her first album, Born a Woman, in 1975. She performed at folk festivals throughout the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in her major label debut and pop breakthrough in 1987.
MacNeil hosted a CBC Television variety show, Rita and Friends, from 1994 to 1997. The show won a Gemini Award in 1996. She also runs a tea room in her hometown of Big Pond, which has become one of Cape Breton Island's most popular tourist attractions.
She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1992 and was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia in 2005.
MacNeil wrote her memoirs On A Personal Note with Anne Simpson in 1998, which was published by Key Porter Books.
Flying On Her Own, a play based on MacNeil's life and featuring many of her songs, premiered at Live Bait Theatre in Sackville, NB in 2000. Written by Canadian playwright Charlie Rhindress, it was subsequently produced by Neptune Theatre in Halifax, NS in 2002 and published by Playwrights Canada Press in 2008.
In 1990, she was the bestselling country artist in Canada, outselling even Garth Brooks and Clint Black. She is also the only female singer ever to have three separate albums chart in the same year in Australia.
A native of Big Pond, Cape Breton County, MacNeil first performed on stage in 1971, and recorded her first album, Born a Woman, in 1975. She performed at folk festivals throughout the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in her major label debut and pop breakthrough in 1987.
MacNeil hosted a CBC Television variety show, Rita and Friends, from 1994 to 1997. The show won a Gemini Award in 1996. She also runs a tea room in her hometown of Big Pond, which has become one of Cape Breton Island's most popular tourist attractions.
She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1992 and was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia in 2005.
MacNeil wrote her memoirs On A Personal Note with Anne Simpson in 1998, which was published by Key Porter Books.
Flying On Her Own, a play based on MacNeil's life and featuring many of her songs, premiered at Live Bait Theatre in Sackville, NB in 2000. Written by Canadian playwright Charlie Rhindress, it was subsequently produced by Neptune Theatre in Halifax, NS in 2002 and published by Playwrights Canada Press in 2008.
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Rita MacNeil Lyrics
Blue Christmas I′ll have a blue christmas without you. I'll be so…
Christmas At Home Memories of walking home From the Christmas party in the fal…
Crossing A generation's come from here My father told me stories Of h…
Flying On Your Own You were never more strong girl You were never more alone On…
Higher Power I'm gonna go to a higher power I'm gonna go straight…
Home I I see the mountains, feel the salt air I have reasons…
Home I'll Be I see the mountains, feel the salt air I have reasons…
I'll Accept the Rose I'm so afraid of losing you I don't know how I'm…
Mary Mary Do you want to elope tonight Getting lost in the shadows All…
Mother Mary Do you want to elope tonight Getting lost in the shadows All…
Once Upon A Christmas ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS (ACROSS THE MILES TONIGHT) The apples…
Once Upon a Christmas (Across the Miles Tonight) ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS (ACROSS THE MILES TONIGHT) The apples…
She's Called Nova Scotia She grows on you slowly the first time you meet There's…
She’s Called Nova Scotia She grows on you slowly the first time you meet There's…
The Crossing A generation's come from here My father told me stories Of h…
The Gift Of Love You ask me what I want. You ask me what I…
Working Man It's a working man l am And I've been down under…
Deenie
on Black Rock
My father had a tape player in his old Honda. I always requested "Black Rock" when I was dealing with depression sadly. He was so kind, that all he would say was..."Now how did I know you'd pick that song?" He spoke softly and smiled.