Springhill, N.S., native Anne Murray is back in her hometown his weekend to meet fans and raise money for the operation of the Anne Murray Centre.
The centre has been in the community for 28 years. Murray says when the whole idea came together, she decided to take a serious commitment to the town.
“I think that the reason that the centre is still up and running is because of that commitment, because I've been involved,” says Murray.
Anne Murray Centre manager Wanita Shay says this weekend’s event is its largest of the year.
“As a non-profit charity, we struggle,” Shay says. “We're a small place in a small town. But when Anne comes, it certainly brings it alive again and we couldn't survive without her.”
Murray fans from across North America and around the world attend the event.
“I've been listening to Anne and her music for 40 years,” says Alberta fan Derek Wicks. “It's a thrilling delight to be here and just to meet her.”
“Love her music. Play it all day. It's in my car, it's in my house, wherever I go,” says Louisiana fan Ginny Mayeaux.
Kelly McLean came all the way from New Zealand to see her idol for the first time. She hopes to give her a whale bone carved into a snowbird feather.
“Because when she sings, her warmth and sincerity comes across in her songs and her whole persona,” says McLean. “And because she sings real songs. She just sings about life.”
Murray retired from singing in 2008, but whenever there's a guitar around there's always someone hoping to get her to croon a tune or two.
But Murray says she's not interested.
“It's nice that people still remember what I did, all those years ago, and I'm happy to see them. They're happy to be here,” says Murray.
Murray says she's happy to spend three months every summer, here in her home province.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh.
