CITYnews halifax: Two-event songwriter series aims to unite N.S. artists mountainside

CITYnews halifax / By Steve Gow

Some of Nova Scotia’s best songwriters are set to scale a pair of the province’s mountains this summer.

Announced this week, the Smokey and Martock Sessions is a special songwriter series that aims to capture the spirit of the East Coast.

According to a release, the series kicks off at Martock on July 30, where several of the province’s top songsmiths will perform, including headliner Gordie Sampson.

Along with the Grammy Award-winning songwriter who has written hits for the likes of Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and others, that event will also feature Lennie Gallant, Terra Spencer, Asif Illyas and Nick Van Eede, who rose to fame as the frontman for 80’s hitmakers, Cutting Crew.

On Aug. 2, the second show will be hosted by Cape Smokey in Cape Breton, where a special headliner is expected to be announced later this month.

The as-yet announced artist will be joined by The Town Heroes, Nick Van Eede, Lennie Gallant and Terra Spencer.

The series promises to feature the celebrated artists “in an intimate songwriters’ circle – a unique format where artists perform together, share the stories behind their songs, and collaborate throughout the evening.”

Tickets for each event start at $55 and can be purchased on each venue’s official website.