JULY – Alan Doyle strikes chords for A Dollar A Day Foundation.
31 years into his momentous and magical music career, Member of The Order of Canada, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, retired lead singer of Canadian folk-rock act Great Big Sea, producer, actor and author, Alan Doyle does what he does best, helping others. Many years ago, on route to the Great Big Sea studio, Alan Doyle would donate $1 a day to the homeless on the streets of St. John’s allowing Alan to find out more about their personal challenges with their mental health. Years later while on tour, Alan wished to continue his donation, so Alan alongside
Mental illness and addictions can be treated and when treated in a timely manner, the human and financial costs are far less. Despair is replaced by hope, dignity and the opportunity to give back.
We’re all impacted by mental health and addiction challenges. We’ve either been there ourselves or we have a friend, family member or co-worker we care about who has. The principles of the A Dollar A Day Foundation are based on this reality and the realization that access to effective treatment programs is being constrained by financial resources. Good people are suffering today and effective programs and program partners exist. Through partnerships with credible organizations, your investment will hit the ground running.
Alan’s involvement in A Dollar A Day stems from his belief that we can all work together for a better society. “Mental health issues affect all of us, so we all need to take ownership of the problem and work together to find solutions,” says Alan. The daily outreach to the Crisis Text Line is powered by @kidshelpphone and no thanks to the fears surrounding
When you sign up for A Dollar A Day, it states, “Whose problem is it? EVERYONES! and who’s going to fix it? ALL OF US!” Alan Doyle further stated, “Mental health and addiction are the root cause of so many ills in our society. I figure if we could improve mental health by 5-10% then we could improve everything else that’s affiliated by 35-40%”
Therefore, Canada’s iconic ‘fountain of affection and instrument of joy’ Mr. Alan Doyle, welcomed the world into his home studio for 7 days starting Friday, March 20th thru Friday, March 27th with the hopes of a few hundred fans to tune in and donate by the text of $5, $10 or $25 to #20222 to A Dollar A Day to raise funds for Kids Help Phone adollaraday.ca/kidshelpphone Every night at 5 pm Eastern Standard Time you could go to http://Facebook.com/alandoylemusic and enjoy Alan singing originals spanning his 31-year career, from 9 Great Big Sea albums to his 4 solo album. Alan performed energetic rock interpretations of traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which drew from the island’s 500-year-old Irish, Scottish, and Cornish heritage. Also, he treated us to Russell Crowe and Alan Doyle cowritten tunes.
Kicking the week off with It’s Okay from his 4th solo EP/album 2020’s Rough Side Out.
Sadly due to the continuation of the
Alan included special guests and fellow actors Russell Crowe @russellcrowe Kevin Durand @Kevin_Durand and Scott Grimes @scottgrimes (Rildey Scott’s Robin Hood and The Merry Men where Alan acted in this 2010 movie as 1 of the Merry Men).
As well, Donovan Woods @donovanwoods, Star Wars’ Oscar Isaac @realoscarisaac, and Barenaked Ladies @barenakedladies Ed Robertson @edrobertson made an appearance from their individual homes via internet live streams. Doyle totally shocked himself by the end of the week that instead of the 100s of viewers tuning in that he anticipated, his showcase made an impact on nearly 100,000 viewers who tuned in all week long, raising a grand total of $50,000 as of Friday, March 27th at 6 pm Eastern Standard Time.
video message who matched 50 Grand bringing in a whopping total of $100,000 for Kids Help Phone. @alanthomasdoyle @adollaradayfdn @KidsHelpPhone @sobeys
Alan went live from his home studio once again for his Suppertime Songs on Thursday, April 9th via Facebook Live at 5 pm kicking it off with a Russell Crowe/Alan Doyle cowritten song Where I Belong, to help raise funds for the COVID-19 Relief Fund which is for serving frontline workers. “They’re taking care of us now but when this is over & they need our help, we’ll be there” Alan stated. Alan’s favorite Great Big Sea hit Gideon Brown lead right into my favorite Great Big Sea piece Sea of No Cares written by Alan Doyle, Sean McCann, and Chris Trapper. Alan spoiled us with a NEW song not recorded yet that was co-written in Nashville with Gordie Samson and Brea McKinnon. Coming to a close with his usual Ordinary Day dedicated to Jan Arden. $17,000 and counting was raised for @adollaradayfdn to support the good people doing the hardest work on the front lines. “Thanks so much” Doyle stated.
Friday, April 24th, 5 pm was a grand ole time, kitchen party East Coast acoustic style with multi-award-winning Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian & treasured iconic songbird Alan Doyle. This week’s Facebook lives installment of his A Dollar A Day Foundation raised money for The Unison Benevolent Fund, which is an assistance program created and administered for the music community, & designed to provide discreet relief to music industry professionals in times of crisis! Special guests this week via video were nonother than 2020 Canadian Music Hall of Famer, Member of The Order of Canada, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Canada’s Walk of Fame, SOCAN, multi-awarded & eight-time JUNO recipient Jann Arden, as well, JUNO & Polaris nominee Terra Lightfoot & the iconic multi-award winning Canadian Rocking JUNO recipient, Joel Plaskett. Every dollar raised was matched by Spotify, so now was the time to show your appreciation for all the musicians who are always quick to lend a hand but have been hit hard by cancellations caused by Covid-19. Congrats on another successful fundraiser, lending ‘A HAND FOR THE BAND’ Alan & fans, kudos!!! http://www.adollaraday.ca A vigil in remembrance of all those involved in the horrible events in Nova Scotia
Alan kicked it off with most requested song for his favorite Great Big Sea song, Love Me Tonight, a co-written song by Séan McCann, Alan Doyle, Hawksley Workman, Bob Hallett of GBS along with writer Jeen O’Brien from Big Sea’s 2008’s Gold-certified eighth studio album Fortune’s Favour. Next ditty was as stellar solo acapella version of GBS’s Old Brown’s Daughter from GBS 1999’s Platinum-certified 4th studio album Turn. Well inside the 14-minute mark, well over 1 Grand raised. Alan proudly stated, “On with some special guests, we got a lot to jam in, it’s gonna be fun. I called up 1 of his hero’s. I might as well say it out loud, which is no surprise to anyone on this program or anybody that knows me, that this lady has been a hero of mine for a very long time. She is 1 of the few people I can honestly say that I have every single piece of music that she has ever put out and I could probably sing half of it, I love her so much,
Jann Arden mentioned, “Hey everybody. Hi Alan. Thank you for everything that you are doing, it’s absolutely inspiring and amazing and I hope it’s something that we keep doing.” She perfected an acoustic soft and engaging solo version of her hit Unloved which is known as a duet with Jackson Browne from her 1994 2nd studio album Living Under June. Back over to Alan as he stated, “well now, what do you say? There’s a lady that needs no introduction and certainly, that’s as good as it gets! I’m telling you right now, I don’t know about you but I was here pretending I was Jackson Browne.” Check-in, with just over 3 Grand. Doyle jumped right in with his favorite song that his mom likes as she likes a waltz, as he projected Where The Nightingale’s Sing from his 2012 inaugural solo album Boy on A Bridge. At the 24 minute mark, $5,000 was raised. “Thank you for your donations! We have a lot of special guests here tonight, none more special to me than this next one, this is a little thing we prepared here in the studio a little while ago and we thought we would share it with you here tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, my son Henry Thomas Doyle.” What an emotional moment, totally filled my eyes with tears, bringing back memories of musical splendor with my dad. Gotta love those precious ones of a kind musical growth with a Father and a Son. A spectacular cover remake of an Abba song I Have A Dream, he sure hs a future in music, a musical spirit just like dad!!! Way to go, Henry, donations went up by $1,500 to $6 grand.
Alan dove right into his 4th solo studio album-2020’s Rough Side Out with Anywhere You Wanna Go. $7,500 raised as Alan introduced, “1 of my favorite singers in the country was lovely and warm and welcoming enough to offer us a song tonight. Ladies and gentlemen the incredible Terra Lightfoot.”
Terra greeted by saying, “Hey Alan Doyle, what’s up? Quick story. Our first gig together was coincidently my 1st gig at a winery, at a local Hamilton Winery where I live. You were 1 of the real musicians and this was my 1st gig where there was a cheese plate and I remember drinking so much wine! Here is a song for you, to all our friends in isolation, it’s one of my tunes, All Alone, from (her 2015 album) Every Time My Mind Runs Wild, thanks for having me.” Wow, 9 Grand at the 38-minute mark.
Alan ripped into another GBS requested song for Sean McCann and Chris Trapper with Sea of No Cares from the same-titled Great Big Sea 2002’s Platinum-certified 5th studio album which won GBS five ECMA Awards.
“On to another guest, one of my favorite singers in the whole wide world. I got to work with him a few times and hang out in his studio in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. Ladies and gentlemen the incredible, the incomparable Joel Plaskett.”
“Hi everybody, Joel Plaskett here in Dartmouth. Nice to be part of this live stream broadcast, beaming out across the universe. Alan, thank you for the invite, Miranda thank you for helping set this up and The Unison Fund, thanks for all you do helping all musicians. This is a tune from my latest record 44 (was released last week on April 17th, 2020 on the eve of his 45th birthday), this is a song called Hey Stu.” Once it came back to Alan, he commented by saying, “My God, how good is he? How good is Joel Plaskett? Honest to God. I don’t know many people that can wander back and forth seamlessly and between about 7 genres of music as effortlessly and convincingly as Joel Plaskett. I’m telling you right now that if you ever, ever, ever get a chance to spend an hour with Joel Plaskett in his studio or anywhere in Nova Scotia it’s a beautiful experience.”
“Lots of requests throughout this whole Suppertime Singalong series for a little song called ‘It’s Okay’ that I wrote with Dave Gunning and Michaela Lynn and it’s on the new record, there’s a really cool version of it and I really like on the record. In the spirit of getting everybody together the best way can, and the thing for most musicians that are hurting the most is that we can’t get together and I am certainly hurting to be honest with you, missing everybody and not just the nights out but the band and the hangs and the crew and the bus and because it’s not just our living, of course, it’s what we love to do the most. This is something we bout together for you, joined by some very special guests that are very dear to me. Alan and his phenomenal band mesmerized us with their online split-screen version of his It’s Okay featuring Cory Tetford, Kendel Carson, Todd Lumley, Kris MacFarlane, Matt Kelly on pedal steel and Saba, and those are some of the best musicians and pals & I miss them,” said Doyle. “In about 10 minutes the vigil is starting for the horrific events in Nova Scotia and It would be remiss of me not to offer a song for that and I certainly am humbled and honored to do so. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, if you are a band from Newfoundland there is nowhere on earth more important to you than Nova Scotia. It takes almost 2 days to get there and you need it to be successful across the country, you need Nova Scotia. I remember when our Great Big Sea started playing the Deck in Fall of 1993 and we knew it was such a big leap and we had to have Nova Scotia and we were welcomed with open arms and we found a home away from home there. I don’t think I ever had a bad night there playing music or otherwise…love the place, love the people and it breaks my heart to see what’s going on over there and what has gone on there. They are strong & wonderful people. This is for the people that are hurting over there and I hope it helps with the pain of it all,” as he warmly engaged us with another stupendous acapella moment with Dream of Home that was cut from the Robin Hood movie he acted in as well, from his 2nd solo album, 2015’s Let’s Go. “Cheers to everybody in Nova Scotia, I love ya all,” expressed Doyle. WOW, another outstanding magical musical moment with Alan Doyle and his ever caring nature and love for his fellow man and country, a whopping total raised was 17 grand…doubled thanks to Spotify matching dollar for dollar
Once again, Canada’s ‘fountain of affection and instrument of joy,’ Mr. Alan Doyle, welcomed the world into his home studio for 3 days starting Friday, May 6th, 7th, and 8th with the hopes of raising funds for COVID-19 Relief Fund thru his A Dollar A Day corporation. Each performance was a strong 1-hour event with a specific sponsor onboard to match all donations with upwards to $25,000. 1,000s tuned in globally pitching in $5, $10 or $25, and some $1,000 dollar donations too. Alan Doyle’s huge smile, humor, and wit, filled with oodles of passion, as he does best, greeted us bringing light, love, and music to the masses, to make a difference to the lives of many with mental health issues especially those that suffer as front line workers during this threatening Covid-19. Alan entertained us for 3 evenings that week, with an in-depth array of songs from Great Big Sea’s collections as well, selections from his solo catalog. He further engaged us with traditional East Coast and classic acapella drenched ditties, that truly brightened our day and strengthened our hope. Alan announced that Maple Leaf matched dollar for dollar of the $6,000 raised, yet, Maple Leaf decided to top up their donation to $25 Grand giving a round total of donations of just over $31 thousand.
May 7th he introduced a special guest from Nfld, Tim Baker who thrilled us with his hit Don’t Let Me Go Yet from his inaugural 2019 album, Forever Overhead. Doyle sprang a NEW song from a NEW project he was involved in, a musical called Tell Tale Harbor leading into Alan pulling out an oldie but a goodie arrow, his Bully Boys from Robin Hood’s movie quiver, with an announcement that the total callers raised locked in at $4,000 then the nights sponsor ALTIUS Minerals, was to match dollar for dollar but decided to round their donation up to $25 Grand also giving a grand total of just under $30 thousand that night.
A Dollar A Day on May 8th, sent their thanks and appreciation to @AltiusMinerals for sponsoring @alanthomasdoyle’s live concert last night on May 7th, and for donating so generously to the COVID-19 Relief Fund. Together, they’re ensuring that on the front lines have the support they need when they need it. https://publish.twitter.com/query=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fadollaradayfdn%2F1258766162730647553&widget=Tweet
May 8th, FORTIS Inc. was the sponsor who also said they would match up to $25 Grand as well. Doyle shared an unreleased song, ‘The Leather and The Last.’ Alan answered a request from a 12-year-old fan, as he pulled out his childhood guitar to which he perfected his song 1,2,3,4 on. Closing out the night with fan fave GBS’s Ordinary Day than sharing the stupendous total of $18 Grand as before, Fortis gave $25 thousand making $43 grand total that night. “From March 20th to May 8th, Suppertime Singalong sessions, through A Dollar A Day Foundation for mental health and Kids Help Phone, Unison Benevolent Fund, and COVID-19 Relief Fund for frontline workers raised a grand total of $525 grand thus far. Thanks to all of you, and sponsors like Sobeys, Spotify, Maple Leaf, Altius Minerals, and Fortis Inc. for your compassion, generosity, and most of all the company. Nice to be together whatever way we can,” says Doyle.
Alan shared, “More than the fella on the poster hurting with all the postponements. Wanna support the other member of the AD team during this tough time? I’m selling some merch and sharing proceeds among my band and crew affected by the shutdowns. Thx for sticking with us.” http://collingwoodmerchco.com/alandoyle
Doyle gathered the gang (his band) for this message of hope from afar, for everyone saying, Spread it around, would you? It might be just the thing someone needs to hear today. “ZP.s. I miss these beautiful beautiful people more than I can say. Watch the full video HERE: http://youtu.be/7mYJIGbC5Ss
May 14th, Alan co-hosted with Kelly Prescott the ‘Spirit in the Spring‘ with the CP Holiday Train and friends special concert t0 raise awareness for COVID-19 relief. This event featured The Trews, Terri Clark, Dallas Smith, Meghan Patrick, the ODDS, Tanika Charles, Willy Porter, Jim Cuddy, Sam Roberts, Madeline Merlo, JoJo Mason. CP DONATED 1 MILLION DOLLARS to feed the hungry and for 1st responders. Watch ‘At Home with the CP Holiday Train’ at http://facebook.com/holidaytrain
Alan’s hosted his birthday kitchen party on May 20th with special guests. He mixed the session up with a huge list of fan requests for arrows from within his solo and GBS quiver.
1st guests to arrive on his patio pub starred the sensational duo, featuring the outstandingly harmonic, Andrew James O’Brien and Catherine Allan. They are Juno nominees and Canadian Folk Music award-winners, The Fortunate Ones. They perfected their timeless original, Before You, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btynJrhzXCU from their 2015 debut album, The Bliss. https://fortunateones.ca
Alan encouraged his fans to become a member of A Dollar A Day Foundation, which allows you a chance at winning Alan Doyle’s signed guitar. A
I was thrilled to see well known Maureen, Teresa and Karen Ennis of the Juno, Socan, 4 time ECMA East Coast Music Award and MIA Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador recipients known as The Ennis Sisters. http://theennissisters.com They perfected an angelic acapella version of Bob Dylan’s Hard Times. These gals are celebrating 23 years together, and Maclean’s Magazine named this trio 1 of the Top 100 young Canadians to watch.
Henry, the son of Alan’s, brought his charm and a birthday cake and Alan made the grand total, saying, “well, what a time it was! Huge thanks to @ENNISmusic & @FortunateOnesNL for helping raise $20,000 for @adollaradayfdn & @CMHA_NTL. Thanks to you, 100% of these funds will go to proven programs on the frontlines of mental health & addictions. #MentalHealthAwareness”
Alan stated, “Wow. about 20k and counting raised for @adollaradayfdn at tonight’s Suppertime Singalongs. That makes over $550,000 since the pandemic started. Silver Linings, for sure. Thanks, @FortunateOnesNL @ENNISmusic @sullivanstamp and @allanhawco for popping by. Cheers from Newfoundland.”
as well, virtually that is. He helped donate $10,000 bucks from A Dollar A Day Foundation to Food Now event. @ramraajh will speak with comedian Mary Walsh about this star-studded fund-raiser that happened on May 28th via Facebook Live. They raised $ for St John’s Community Centre Alliance which the goal was to try to raise $100 thousand to provide $1,000 hot meals weekly for those in need the most and 100% proceeds would go to the Community Centre Alliance a charity, not for profit org. Performances by: The Once, Alan Doyle, Amelia Curran, Shaun Majumder, Petrina Bromley, Mark Critch and Gordan Pinsent, Allan Hawco, Hudson and Rex, Susan Tent McClellan, David Pomeroy, Amy House and Berni Stapleton, Veronica Dymond, Codco
Reunion, Damhnait Doyle and Kim Stockwood.
Singing a few songs with some of the Beautiful Beautiful Band…from our homes…over the internet…you
Our musical collaboration with frontline physicians was created to spread a message of hope and resilience during these challenging times. In these extraordinary days, they are here for us. Let’s be there for them. http://adollaraday.ca/covidrelieffund https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9USGA2A5IFg
Doyle celebrated the Walk for Alzheimer’s! As a special thank you, you are invited to a private online concert with @kimdunnpiano, @ENNISmusic , @MattMinglewood, and @alanthomasdoyle of Great Big Sea! https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=reg30.jsp&partnerref=ROALZ&eventid=2376371&sessionid=1&key=7A6764EEC1D1B8E607B9EF80F7C7A73D®Tag=&sourcepage=register
Memorial University@MemorialU· Hats Off is TODAY! Join comedian Trent McClellan, musician & alumnus @alanthomasdoyle, President @vianne_timmons, musical group @FortunateOnesNL & @jennymallard as they tip their collective hats to the Class of 2020 in a virtual celebration. Don’t miss it! #MUNgrad2020