Despite stretching a mere 180 miles, Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, inspires songs by the album-load.

“That’s one great thing about Island musicians,” said Wayne Walsh, past-president of the PEI Music Awards Association. “Most of them write. There’s plenty of original material.”

Inspiration zooms from many directions. Veteran tunesmith Margie Carmichael looks to PEI’s colors and moods, her memories and experiences, sensitive social issues, local events and things that make her laugh. “I like to put a twist on everyday happenings,” she said. “Some things beg for a parody.”

Ethel Ellis, a creative force behind the Ellis Family Band, fondly relies on her children and grandchildren, plus “the beauty of the earth and sky, all of nature. My nursing profession inspired me to write songs and poems about the young and elderly. I like to write about ordinary people and daily situations. Mostly, my thoughts flow quickly, but sometimes I find it more difficult.”

Seasoned musician Roy MacCaull specializes in songs praising PEI. “When you first write songs, it’s a struggle,” he said. “Simplicity becomes the thing, saying what’s on your mind so that everyone understands.”

Margie said, “For me, comedy songs often flow quickly because I’m having such fun. If the lyrics are personal or sensitive, it takes longer to open up, dive in and surface with poignancy. Often the music and words come at the same time. When songs arrive with powerful feeling, it really is amazing. I don’t waste time seeking the source. Instead, I take the ideas and run with them. I tend to craft songs as I go and fine-tune the structures later. My best songs won’t give me peace until I finish them. Some are written in one sitting. Others take several installments.

“By habit, I keep notes pertaining to things I may want to write about. Those cover any pieces of paper in sight. When driving, I take a notepad and a small tape recorder. If anything pops into my head, I pull off the road and write it down or sing into the recorder.”

Long-time songwriter Bonnie LeClair offers another nugget of advice: “It’s important to write, even when you don’t feel inspired. That keeps the creative pilot-light aglow.”

Once when the Ellis Family Band’s Rick Ellis lamented about writer’s block, his mother Ethel urged him, “Let’s look through some of my poems. Perhaps we can get an idea.” Soon words from one of Ethel’s poems and new verses by Rick became a hit song.

I hear them say she must be easy to love.
The sun goes down on a golden lake.
She gets dressed up for another date.
Although she’s tired of these one-night stands,
She’s out to find another man.
Here she comes walkin’ down the street.
She turns my head, cause she looks so sweet.
She’s got her high heels on.
Ya, she’s dressed to kill,
And if it’s love she wants,
She knows I will.
Easy to love, easy to love.

From “Easy To Love”, Written by Rick and Ethel Ellis,
Recorded by the Ellis Family Band, 1984

Masterful songs well written and performed can sprinkle magic. “I visit seniors’ homes and play for the old people,” Roy said. “Suddenly, they come alive. Together, memories and music revive them.”

This excerpt comes from the newest Cairns Media publication, Island Toes A’Tapping, A Musical Harvest on Prince Edward Island (Jay Scott Kanes, 240 pages, 2006).



ARCHIVES

Roy MacCaull lets the music flow.


Songwriter Ethel Ellis
puts pen to paper.