When Canadian weather refuses to co-operate, it can be relentless and cruel, even in summer. Rain pelted down on three separate days as The PEI Emporium in Borden, Prince Edward Island, held concerts and book-signing sessions to launch Island Toes A’Tapping, a Cairns Media book by Jay Scott Kanes.

Yet the Emporium held moderately successful events, twice under a tent, with top-flight entertainers heard by such pleased listeners as tourism minister Philip Brown and syndicated radio host Eric MacEwen.

Kanes’ book (2006, ISBN 988-98350-2-9, Cdn$9.90) explores PEI music while profiling hundreds of musicians.

On another evening, a bright one, an impressive crowd gathered for a hugely successful book launch and concert at Spinnakers Landing in Summerside.

Thanks to everyone who helped as Island Toes A’Tapping debuted across PEI. Rodney Savidant, Brenda Noland, Nathan Condon, Christopher Cairns, the Arsenault Sisters, Jonathan Ross, Jolene Sonier, Fred Arsenault, Wayne Brown, John Underhay, Michael Pendergast, Karl Proude, Albert Arsenault, Richard LePage, Steve Sharratt, Fenton Jeffery, Courtney and Wayne Francis, Jennifer Rozens, John Martin, Eddy Quinn and the Chaisson Family, among many, deserve heaps of appreciation.

Kudos to Wayne Walsh, Bob Stright and Charlie Hansen of Sandcastle Recording in Borden for creating two compilation CDs starring Island musicians as companion products for the book.

Ultimately, PEI’s hospitality and helpful people prevailed against the sometimes inclement weather.

John Cairns
Director, Cairns Media


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