SYDNEY, N.S. — A popular Canadian band with strong ties to Cape Breton isn’t breaking up although one of its members is moving on to pursue other opportunities.
In a Facebook posting on Friday, Sept. 20, the band stated keyboardist and singer Breagh MacKinnon of Port Cities would be leaving to pursue “new creative opportunities” and that they would miss her.
“We’ve made some unforgettable memories with Breagh travelling the world playing our music for people. We will miss her and wish her all the best in whatever she chooses to pursue next,” fellow bandmates Dylan Guthro and Carleton Stone said on the Facebook posting.
MacKinnon further explained what those opportunities would be in a Twitter posting that same day.
“This fall, I will be taking time to mentor with an inspiring writer/producer in Nashville. I am excited to continue to grow through my love of creating music. I want to thank you all for the love and support you have shown me and Port Cities — hope you’ll stick around for whatever comes next.”
Although most might assume MacKinnon will be working with fellow Cape Bretoner Gordie Sampson, who lives and writes in Nashville, the band’s management said it was another producer but wouldn’t say who it was.
Sheri Jones, of Jones and Company, management for the band, also confirmed Monday that Port Cities would continue without MacKinnon.
“Port Cities will definitely continue — we’ll miss Breagh, of course, but both Carleton and Dylan are excited to carry on with the work they’ve done with Port Cities,” Jones confirmed in an email, adding that the two remaining members would take the fall to decide how to best move forward.
She also pointed out that fans should realize the band will continue to perform together until the end of December.
“They are excited to release one last song with Breagh as part of the band in October and to do the December shows with her,” Jones added.
Those shows include two on Dec. 27 at the Highland Arts Theatre. Tickets are nearly sold out for the 9 p.m. show but plenty remain for the 6 p.m. show, if you want to see the original lineup in one of its remaining shows. Tickets are $42.25 including fees and taxes.
If you can’t make the Sydney shows, the group will also perform in Truro at the Marigold Centre on Dec. 19 and in Halifax, Dec. 29, at Casino Nova Scotia.
If you have tickets for the band’s 2020 shows which included the CD release of their latest work, “News Coming,” the Facebook page indicates you will be updated about refunds.
The band was the recipient of five Nova Scotia Music Awards, a SOCAN #1 Award (for "Back to the Bottom"), and stints at #1 on CBC and Spotify charts. They have also amassed more than 1.5 million streams internationally.
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