Hometown boy makes good
By Lois Ann Dort
HALIFAX-Are you looking for a unique Christmas gift this year? Singer/songwriter Ryan MacGrath has something for you.
MacGrath, a Guysborough County native with family currently living in Goshen, has come up with a novel idea for his Christmas campaign, By the Chimney with Care. You may bid to have a personalized Christmas song composed by MacGrath based on your family memories and traditions. It’s a one of a kind gift that can be shared for years to come. The song may also be heard on CBC radio where MacGrath and many other up-and-coming musicians are introduced to a wider audience.
MacGrath, a relative newcomer to the Nova Scotian music scene, wanted to give something back to the community this Christmas. Aside from creating a wonderful gift for one special family, he is donating a portion of the proceeds raised from the song to the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. “I wanted to bring awareness to mental illness. It can be healed and it shouldn’t be something that is experienced alone. It’s very isolating and I would like to try to shed some light on it.” says MacGrath.
Born at St. Martha's Hospital in Antigonish, MacGrath spent his childhood between Country Harbour, Antigonish and Goshen. He now calls Halifax home after graduating from NSCAD in 1998. As a university student, he took his student loan and bought a guitar. It looks like it is paying off.
In January of 2009, he released a six-song CD, In my own Company, that garnered him two Nova Scotia music award nominations. Since then he has begun to take his music career more seriously. In September, he released his first full-length album, Cooper Hatch Paris. You can catch MacGrath in venues throughout Nova Scotia or maybe even in your own living room. MacGrath is part of the new movement for Open House concerts that has been transforming the live music scene from coast, to coast, to coast.
For Goshen folks, MacGrath has expressed an interest in playing at his old school which is now the Goshen Community Centre. You can find him online at
http://www.myspace.com/ryansmacgrath and http://www.ryanmacgrath.com/
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