ECMA and Juno Award winning singer / songwriter Meaghan Smith brings the holiday spirit to the West End Cultural Centre on November 28th performing music from her holiday album It Snowed with James Struthers opening the show.

Juno Award winning singer songwriter Meaghan Smith began production of her new album IT SNOWED soon after her Juno win. The album was inspired by Meaghan’s true love of the holidays. In her words, “There's something about long dark winter nights contrasted with brilliantly sparkling snowy days, or freezing winter air and the comforting heat of an inviting fire. It's the traditions, the food, the friends, the family, the lights and the music that I love. I want to be a part of the joy in people's holidays.”

Expect a night filled with classic renditions of Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night and Baby it’s Cold Outside mixed with holiday originals such as Zat U Santa Claus and the title track It Snowed.

Meaghan Smith is a singer. She has always been a singer. Raised in London, Ontario, by a piano teacher mother, and a bass playing father, her passion for music should surprise nobody. What may, is the fact that she is the only member of her family who can’t read music. And yet, she is the only one who is pursuing a career in music.

While Meaghan Smith is an accomplished musician, she is also a talented visual artist. She went to college to study animation, and ultimately moved to Halifax to find work. Despite her passion for drawing, she couldn’t resist the call of music. Despite her fear of the stage, Meaghan summoned up all her courage, and began to play shows in Halifax.

When these went well, she decided it was time to record an album. She met Les Cooper, and found them to be kindred spirits. They spent two months in Toronto bringing Meaghan’s debut album, The Cricket’s Orchestra to life. In 2011 the hard work Meaghan put into this album paid off, as it won Best Pop Recording of the Year at the 2011 East Coast Music Awards, and Meaghan won the 2011 Juno Award for Best New Artist.

Meaghan Smith website | musicCBC

With his deep blue eyes, disarming smile and cool, calm demeanor, James Struthers may be a 22 year old heartthrob; but his allure goes far beyond the sightlines. He’s also an incredibly gifted songwriter and guitarist with a soulful voice and a young, aspiring business man with relentless, DIY work ethic.
His achievements to date are quite impressive considering he’s still an independent artist. He’s toured the country 5 times, released 2 EPs, 4 music videos, and has cracked the Canadian AC charts with his festive single ‘Blue Christmas’ in under 2 years. Most recently, James was awarded the distinction of ‘Bell’s Emerging Artist of the Month’ for April, 2012, and is currently receiving country wide airplay of his latest single ‘What Are We Waiting For.’

James Struthers website | musicCBC