SPRINGHILL, N.S. – People throughout the world continue to have their hearts touched by Anne Murray.
Close to 100 of those people recently came to Springhill to meet her in person during a meet-and-greet at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre.
“I came from Thailand to see Ann Murray,” said Sirisun Na Ranong. “I love her voice very much.”
Ranong never heard of Anne Murray until recently, but that changed one year ago while she was listening to music in Bangkok.
“I love country music and was randomly streaming country music on my phone when Anne came on,” said Ranong, explaining her first-time encounter with Anne. “I said, ‘Oh my God, this sounds great.’ I love Anne Murray.”
The 29-year-old’s favourite song is Shadows in the Moonlight.
“It’s on my alarm clock. It wakes me up every day,” she said.
Ranong is in Canada for two weeks. Asked what her plans are, she says, “I have only one plan right now, to meet Anne.”
Terry Jackson’s isn’t staying in Canada nearly as long.
“I flew up for the day to see Anne,” said the 38-year-old.
Jackson is from Norfolk, Virginia. His first encounter with Anne occurred at the age of 16.
“She was on TV and sang ‘I Can See Clearly Now,’ and I immediately ordered a bunch of her CD’s and I’ve been a fan ever since.”
He has never seen Anne Murray in concert, but did meet her at the meet-and-greet.
“This is my first time I met her,” said Jackson. “It was exciting to meet her.”
The recent passing of Whitney Houston provided the push Jackson needed to meet Anne.
“I said I wasn’t going to pass up on the chance to miss anymore artists after Whitney Houston passed away, so I’m going to see all the artists I like.”
Anne Murray has a lifelong fan in Rose Ries. She lives in Philadelphia but is originally from Yokohama, Japan.
“I was born and raised in Japan. I’m half Japanese,” said the 60-year-old. “When I left Japan at 16, I was traumatized. I didn’t want to leave Japan.”
Ries is a psychologist, and Anne’s music helped her through the transition from Japan to American, and has helped her through many tough times throughout her life. She also recommends Anne Murray music to her patients.
“I say to my patients to listen to Anne’s songs,” said Ries. “They’ll get you through sadness and they’ll get you through depression. Her songs are uplifting. Her songs are healing.”
She said Anne sings from the heart and that’s why she connects with people.
“She is a people person. She sings for the people. She’s a treasure in Canada.”
This was her third time in Springhill to meet Anne, and meeting her always makes her nervous.
“I get speechless,” said Ries. “You know how I’m blabbering right now and can’t stop talking? In her presence, I can’t speak.”
She says it’s an honour to be invited to meet Anne.
“How many other artists do this? Nobody else does this.”
Todd Canton lives in Truro, so he didn’t have to travel far to meet Anne, who he has met at least 20 times.
Canton was born in Amherst and his mom, Vivian, is from Springhill.
“The year my father died, I was 11-years-old,” said the 48-year-old. “I suffered from depression from his loss and found comfort in music.”
His mom bought him radio headphones which helped him tune into radio stations as far away as New York. He often listened to Anne’s music, and said it was as though she was singing directly to him.
“Ann was singing to me to make me feel better. It started a love affair that lasted 40 years,” said Canton.
He says the other people attending the meet and greet understand each other’s love of Anne, even more than their families often do.
“We’re a diverse group and we get each other,” said Canton. “These people understand what I’m talking about, and we’re worldwide.”
