Rita MacNeil

Cape Breton

Rita MacNeil's unique blend of folk, country, gospel, pop and Celtic music has been entertaining audiences for over three decades, taking her from her hometown's summer festival to London's famed Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Born and raised in Big Pond, Nova Scotia on picturesque Cape Breton Island, Rita's success is evidenced in the gold, platinum and silver albums from Canada, Australia and the U.K. as well as numerous Juno and Canadian Country Music Awards. She holds five honorary doctorates and hosted her own national television program "Rita and Friends". Rita has starred in numerous highly-rated television specials during her career that have been broadcast on the BBC in the UK, PBS in the US, and CBC and CTV in Canada. Her songs have been covered by such acclaimed artists as Anne Murray, Celtic Thunder and The Canadian Tenors, while her most recent release is a children's collection "Pocket Full of Dreams". She is the proud recipient of the Order of Canada and released a best-selling autobiography, "On a Personal Note" (Key Porter). She owns and operates Rita's Tea Room - a seasonal tourist attraction - in her hometown village of Big Pond.