Tribute will be paid to one of Gaeldom’s most popular entertainers, Calum Kennedy, in a special celebration on the opening night of this year’s Blas 2012 festival.

Co-hosted by Calum’s daughter, the singer and television presenter Fiona Kennedy and Gaelic singer Arthur Cormack, “Eilean Fraoich” will revive many memories of the internationally acclaimed and much missed singer. Joining the hosts will be James Graham, Darren Maclean and Kristine Kennedy, along with old friends and acquaintances gathering together in song, story and evocative imagery, to create a picture of the legendary Calum Kennedy – most often referred to in Gaelic as “An Ceanadach” – THE Kennedy.

Calum Kennedy was born in Lewis on June 2, 1928 and established himself as one of the world’s great singers, whether it was in the halls of the Highlands, theatres across Scotland and abroad, or the platforms of concert halls in places like Moscow, his unique stage presence commanded huge audiences to critical acclaim.

There can be few Gaelic entertainers of the 20th century who created such an enduring and justified reputation and left such a powerful legacy. One of his most requested songs is “Eilean Fraoich”, about Calum’s native island, and its title has been chosen to mark this special event on Friday 7 September. The Strathpeffer Pavilion is the venue for the celebration which will be co-hosted by Fiona and Arthur Cormack.

Fiona Kennedy said: “I am thrilled to be taking part in this great tribute to Dad. Not a day goes by without someone saying to my sisters or myself how much they loved his glorious voice. He touched many hearts all over the world and its marvellous that Blas are doing this very special concert. All the singers involved in this evening were highly regarded by Dad and he would be very chuffed indeed to know that his music lives on through them and many others.”

Arthur Cormack said: “On a personal level, as a young Gaelic singer in the 80s, Calum Kennedy was one of my heroes and I was brought up listening to his singing at home. It was, therefore, a great thrill for me to perform alongside Calum on a number of occasions and I enjoyed his company greatly.”

“Calum was a unique talent and one of Scotland’s greatest entertainers. There are not many who could command an audience in the way Calum did and it is often forgotten that he took Gaelic to a world-wide audience long before it became fashionable to support the language. This event will offer his many friends and followers the opportunity to mark his contribution to the Gaelic world and to remind ourselves of the great talent and particular presence he had in our midst. This is a splendid opportunity to celebrate his memory and it will be a great privilege for me to contribute to the event on the opening night of Blas 2012.”

Eilean Fraoich: Blas a’ cuimhneachadh a’ Cheanadaich

Thig cruinneachadh de shàr luchd-ciùil na Gàidhealtachd, caraidean agus càirdean agus bho air feadh an t-saoghail còmhla a-rithist an ceann beagan sheachdainnean aig Fèis chiùil Blas, ann am Pùball Srath Pheofhair, a luaidh a’ Cheanadaich.

Cha robh feum ‘sa chumatas air ainmeachadh anns a’ chòrr dòigh ach air a shloinneadh leis a’ mhòr-chuid. Tha cliù agus inbhe an duine mar shàr-sheinneadair gu bhith air a chomharrachadh ann an cuirm shònraichte air a’ chiad oidhche de dh’Fhèis na bliadhna seo.

Rugadh Calum Ceanadach air an dàrna latha dhen Ògmhìos 1928. Chaochail e air an 15mh dhen Ghiblean, 2006. Anns an eadar-ama chuir e an saoghal fo chasan, eadar Moscow is Mangerstaidh, Eilean Leòdhais agus prìomh àrd-ùrlair na dùthcha. ‘S iongantach gu bheil aon neach eile san linn a chaidh a thug uidhir de bhuaidh air an t-saoghal mhòr le a’ chuid òrain Ghàidhlig (agus Beurla), staidhl’ agus pearsa.

Tha “Eilean Fraoich” air òran cho ainmeil sa thàinig bho bhilean Chaluim agus ‘s ann fon ainm sin a bhios a’ chuirm iomraiteach seo ga thairgse air oidhche fhosglaidh Blas 2012. Bidh Art MacCarmaig agus Fiona Cheannadach, nighean Chaluim nach maireann, a’ comharrachadh beatha seinneadair aig an robh cliù eadar-nàiseanta. Air aoigheachd aca bidh Seumas Greumach, Darren MacIlleathain agus Kristine Cheannadach, cho math ri treud de chàirdean is luchd-eòlaich eile a bhios a’ tighinn còmhla tro òrain, seanchas agus ìomhaigheachd gus dealbh eireachdail de Chalum chòir a chruthachadh.

Thuirt Fiona Cheanadach: “Tha mi air leth toilichte gu bheileas a’ comharrachadh saoghal m’athair mar seo. Chan eil latha a’ dol seachad nach eil cuideigin a’ faighneachd dhan teaghlach mu dheidhinn ann an dòigh air choireigin agus a’ luaidh a ghuth eireachdail. Dhrùidh sin air mòran air feadh an t-saoghail agus tha e miorbhuileach gu bheil Fèis Bhlas am bliadhna a’ cur air adhart cuirm a bhios sònraichte ga luaidh. Bha meas mòr aig m’athair air gach neach a bhios a’ seinn ann agus bhiodh e air leth moiteil gu bheil a’ chuid ciùil fhathast a’ tighinn beò agus air a lìbhrigeadh mar seo.”

Thuirt Art MacCarmaig: “Tha mi fhèin dhen bharail nach robh leithid riamh ann ri Calum Ceanadach agus bheir seo an cothrom do dhaoine an dà chuid a chliù agus a thàlantan aithneachadh agus cuimhne a chumail air na h-òrain a bh’aige air an do chuir e a dhreach mhìorbhuileach fhèin. Chan eil cus de shàr luchd-ciùil na h-Alba aig an robh làthaireachd Chaluim air àrd-ùrlar agus choisinn e cliù dha fhèin is dhan Ghàidhlig fad is farsaing, fada mas robh e fasanta a bhith a’ toirt taic dhan Ghàidhlig. Tha cothrom againn uile an seo na rinn e a chomharrachadh agus ‘s e urram a th’ann a bhith nar pàirt de dh’oidhche cho iomraiteach aig Blas 2012.”

Thèid Eilean Fraoich a chumail ann an Pùball Srath Pheofhair oidhche h-Aoine 7mh Sultain aig 1930.

Source: Blas Festival