Celtic music is kids' stuff for Cape Breton act by Mike Bell Calgary Sun 2003-07-26

Posted by on 10 May 2004

Most kids under the age of 15 relish the thought of a summer spent, lazing around the neighbourhood sucking back Slurpees.

Most kids under the age of 15 relish the thought of a summer spent, lazing around the neighbourhood sucking back Slurpees. For the four members of Cape Breton act The Cottars — brothers and sisters Fiona and Ciaran MacGillivray, and Roseanne and Jimmy MacKenzie — it just means they can play more shows around North America without taking their homework on the road. And do the widely acclaimed youngsters think they’re missing out on the best part of childhood? “Absolutely not,” says 14-year-old vocalist Fiona. “(Our parents) said if it’s too stressful being on the road or we’re not comfortable with it or we’d rather be home, we’d absolutely be home. But we love being on the road.” Besides, how many Jr. High students can say they’ve released an album — Made In Cape Breton — or shared the stage with performers such as The Barra MacNeils, Bruce Cockburn and Natalie MacMaster? Then again, the Celtic quartet, who play the folk fest this afternoon, are hoping that people put their ages aside and appreciate them for their talents. “We kind of hope that people aren’t listening to us because we’re 13 and 14,” says Fiona, daughter of author/composer, Allister MacGillivray. “We hope they’re listening to us for our musicianship.”