A Pictou County man who’s well-known in the Maritime music community is now battling the same kind of cancer as his own music idol.
As executive director of the Glasgow Square Theatre and the annual Riverfront Jubilee, Carlton Munroe has been bringing musicians from around the world to New Glasgow, N.S. for years. Before that, he was a journalist at the local radio station for 15 years.
Last month, Munroe was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the same type of cancer as Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie. His sister says the irony of the diagnosis has actually made the family smile.
“Gord Downie is like his idol, right. He’s the reason Carlton got into the field he’s in now, because when he was in university, he interviewed Gord Downie for Saint Mary’s radio station,” says Allayna Munroe.
News of Munroe’s diagnosis prompted a group of his friends to start organizing a fundraising concert called “A Big Bash for Carlton.” Organizers say the response has been overwhelming.
“Because a lot of people have been feeling like they really want to do something, and this gives us all a chance to really step forward and feel like we’re really helping Carlton and Taryn and their family at this time,” says Michelle Ferris.
“There’s certainly a lot of outpouring of love and support and disbelief, because you just can’t imagine something so, it feels so wrong, to happen to such a great guy,” says Karen Corbin-Hughes.
The 12-hour event is planned for Jan. 14 at the Glasgow Square Theatre, with all funds raised going to the Munroe family. The musical lineup is already fully booked, and there’s talk of having more musicians at another venue that day.
“Carlton has a huge footprint in the music community here. He supports everything local, out of town, running the jubilees,” says committee member Allan Bezanson.
Munroe is preparing for surgery next week. He told CTV Atlantic during a phone interview that he’s somewhat embarrassed by all the attention he’s been receiving, but he’s ready to fight the fight, especially knowing his community is in his corner.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh
