It was once said that Don Messer set the standard for Canadian music variety programs with his “straight-forward, no-frills and down-home sincerity.”
A simple formula, coupled with a cast of talented regulars and guests, made the Maritime fiddling legend and his show, Don Messer’s Jubilee, one of the most popular programs in Canadian television history.
The same formula may help explain how an innovative online fundraiser in West Prince has been so wildly successful.
For the past three weeks, my wife and I (both from West Prince) have been visiting a Facebook request page along with thousands of Islanders and likely tens of thousands of people around the world. Nominations and requests for the Christopher Cross Request Facebook group close this weekend but not before it attracted more than 13,000 members in 35 countries, accepted nearly 1,000 music videos and raised more than $24,000 for a great cause.
It’s straight-forward. Request a song from a local performer, then make a minimum $5 donation (by e-transfer) to help a local family.
It’s no-frills. Donors sit back in the comfort of their own homes and enjoy their requested entertainer, along with thousands of other viewers around the world who have been watching this online kitchen party.
And downhome sincerity? Please.
This group has it all, from Fr. Brendon (Bud) Gallant’s soulful rendition of One Day at a Time and Sandra Jones’ spot-on version of Dolly Parton's Wildflowers, to Patrick Doucette, who fulfilled a request from his great grandsons in Alberta to play two tobacco cans. Yes, two tobacco cans – you really have to see it to appreciate it. The boys’ great uncle, Lionel Chaisson, accompanied Doucette on guitar and honest to god, their rendition of Red River Valley is one of the most entertaining I’ve ever seen.
And then there’s folk, rock and country music, comedy, fiddling and dancing – everything you’d expect in a great variety show.
These talented volunteers are mostly Islanders, many of them from West Prince where a family in need of a helping hand lives. Malcolm Pitre and his wife, Kelly, started the group to raise money for an Alma couple and their 12-year-old daughter. Kim Beaton is undergoing breast cancer treatment and her husband, 58-year-old Gary Beaton, had to leave his job three years ago after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He’s in hospital waiting for a manor placement. Most entertainers offer words of encouragement and support to the Beatons and many people making requests far exceed the minimum donation.
But after three weeks, this will be the last weekend for nominations and requests. Pitre told The Journal-Pioneer that he and the Beatons decided to wind it down because they know other families need financial support “and we didn’t want to take from them.” They also wanted to make sure it didn’t get to a point where people no longer enjoyed it.
As for its success, he said it could be the timing, the music, the Beatons’ story or the generous donors. Or, he suggested, “Maybe all of the above.”
And he’s not a bit concerned that others might duplicate his online request idea. He’s set down a terrific template for others to raise money for their own worthy causes.
His advice to whoever follows?
“Let ’er pound.”
- Wayne Young is an instructor in the journalism program at Holland College in Charlottetown.
