Tete a Tete: James Keelaghan and David Francey in Concert

July, 2003 -- Mainstage Management is proud to announce an extraordinary evening of songs and stories with two of Canadas most celebrated folk musicians, James Keelaghan and David Francey at Hughs Room, Friday August 15, 2003.

Three-time Juno nominee James Keelaghan has earned international acclaim for his song writing and performances and has taken main-stage at some of the most prestigious festivals in the US, England, Australia, Denmark, and Hong Kong. At home in Canada, he's a Juno award winner who's grown from a popular coffee-house act in Calgary to a festival and concert hall favourite. A commanding performer, James Keelaghan develops an intimate rapport with audiences through his stories and humour - and then leaves them spellbound with passionate renditions of songs that touch on universal emotions and bring historical events to life.

Keelaghans music has been described as displaying ...a genius for finding his way deep inside big stories, building them outward from the palpably intimate moments." The Boston Globe

For the short time that David Francey has been part of the folk scene, the response to his music has been both immediate and heartwarming. His songs are now being performed across North America by other artists. James Keelaghan, Harvey Reid and Cooper, Nelson and Early, and Del McCoury have each recorded Francey tunes. This year David was thrilled to learn that his songs are being taught to schoolchildren in classrooms across Canada.

In concert, David is a singer and a storyteller who can establish, in minutes, a personal rapport with his audience. His wry humour and astute observations combined with his openhearted singing style have earned him a loyal following. "Francey has made a reputation for himself as one of Canada's most revered folk poets and singers...[His songs] are small and beautifully crafted pieces of work that have made Francey both a folk festival favourite and something of a latter-day Canadian poet laureate." Greg Quill, The Toronto Star.

David will be accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Geoff Somers for this special performance at Hughs Room.

Mainstage Management was established as an artist management company in 1999, now providing management services to folk icon James Keelaghan and Juno Award winner David Francey and folk trio, The Wailin Jennys.

For reservations, contact Hughs Room at (416) 531-6604. Hughs Room is located at 2261 Dundas St. West, Toronto, Ont.