by WGO staff
One of Canada’s most accomplished and beloved Celtic music groups, Rawlins Cross celebrates their 30th anniversary this year with a Maritimes tour, a new single, and a new album.
“We’re really looking forward to hitting the road again to share some brand-new music with our friends and fans!” says band member Ian McKinnon. “It’s crazy to consider that it’s been 30 years since we named the band and starting gigging around St. John’s. I can honestly say that the band has never sounded better. And we’re still having a load of fun playing together!”
After 30 years, Rawlins Cross is approaching legendary status and with the release this month of its 10th studio recording, Flying Colours, the band continues to capture the hearts and imaginations of a dedicated global fan-base developed over an acclaimed career.
Rawlins Cross was formed in St. John’s, Newfoundland in the late 1980s by songwriting brothers Dave Panting (guitar and mandolin) and Geoff Panting (keyboards and accordion), and Ian McKinnon (highland pipes, tin whistle and bodhran). With the solid rhythm section of Halifax bassist and Chapman Stick player Brian Bourne and Ontario-based drummer Howie Southwood, the band enlisted PEI singer Joey Kitson to complete its signature sound.
Since the beginning, Rawlins Cross has been at the vanguard of the fusion of Celtic traditional music with the rhythms of Rock, Pop and Worldbeat music. Equally at ease with a soulful Highland Air (“MacPherson’s Lament”) or a raucous party song (“Colleen”, “Wild Rose”, “Reel ‘n’ Roll”), Rawlins Cross never fails to electrify its faithful fans. Over the years, Rawlins Cross has always been a “fan favourite” on the North American and European music festival circuit and regularly plays to sold-out concert halls across Canada.
The first single, “Love Comes Around the Corner” was written by band mainstay Geoff Panting. An uplifting appeal to love and hope, the song is perfectly nestled within the confines of Rawlins Cross’ trademark Celtic-rock interplay. Reminiscent of 1970’s piano rockers, the single offers a vibe that is both new and familiar to fans of the band, and one that will surely be embraced.
Rawlins Cross wraps up their tour this weekend in Cape Breton with shows on Friday, November 29 at Strathspey Performing Arts Centre in Mabou and Saturday, November 30 at the Highland Arts Theatre in Sydney.
