As the Canadian music industry gathers to celebrate excellence in Regina this weekend, Cape Breton’s first lady of song, Rita MacNeil, is honoured with two back-to-back specials on CTV Two. The late Canadian legend is honoured in RITA MACNEIL: ON A PERSONAL NOTE, airing Saturday, April 20, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two. The one-hour special delivers a revealing look at the personal history and rise to fame of this beloved Canadian artist. Then, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two, the award-winning RITA MACNEIL PRESENTS MEN OF THE DEEPS features MacNeil and special guests singing some of her most beloved songs. See full synopses below for more information. RITA MACNEIL: ON A PERSONAL NOTE also repeats on CTV during JUNO Sunday, (April 21) at 1 p.m. ET/PT. Earlier today Melanie Berry, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards and Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports issued the following statement:
“Rita MacNeil’s passing is a great loss for the Canadian music industry. As Cape Breton’s first lady of song, MacNeil captured the spirit of Nova Scotia in her music and endeared herself to Canadians across the country. MacNeil won three JUNO Awards during her legendary career, and her legacy as a country and folk singer will not be forgotten. CARAS, CTV, and the producers of THE 2013 JUNO AWARDSare currently discussing how to recognize MacNeil in this Sunday’s broadcast.”
RITA MACNEIL: ON A PERSONAL NOTE (1998)
Saturday, April 20 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two
Sprinkled with performances, this one-hour, intimate special takes a revealing look at the personal history and rise to fame of the multifaceted Canadian artist. Rita MacNeil shares with CTV National News’ Sandie Rinaldo the story of how she achieved success as a singer, television host, business owner, and writer, despite overwhelming odds. RITA MACNEIL: ON A PERSONAL NOTE also airsSunday, April 21 at 1 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.
RITA MACNEIL PRESENTS MEN OF THE DEEPS (2003)
Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two
From the historic Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, multiple JUNO Award-winning singer-songwriter RITA MACNEIL PRESENTS MEN OF THE DEEPS – North America’s only coal miner choir. Comprised of working and retired miners from Cape Breton, the Men of the Deeps choir was formed in 1966, in the hope of keeping alive the stories, traditions, hardships, tragedies, and camaraderie of their mining communities. In this heart-warming one-hour special, MacNeil and guests sing some of her most beloved songs, including “Working Man” and “Home I’ll Be.”
THE 2013 JUNOS AWARDS airs live from Regina on Sunday, April 21 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).
