Anne Murray

Our final Olympic tribute to the great musicians of Canada honours the great Nova Scotian, Anne Murray. What is there to say? Her magical, velvety alto transcends age and genre. Not to mention that she seems like a really nice person, too. And a sports fan, and what’s not to like about that? She sang the national anthems at the first American League game played in Canada in 1977 when the Toronto Blue Jays played the Chicago White Sox at Exhibition Stadium. She has had ownership in hockey teams and is known as an 11-handicap golfer. She’s even had a postage stamp issued in her honour. How cool is that?

Perhaps the most uniquely Anne Murray song is “Could I Have This Dance” from “Urban Cowboy” and a personal favorite of President and Mrs. Obama. Few songs can highlight the depth and smoothness of her range. She is also well known for “Snowbird” and her cover of The Monkees’ “Daydream Believer”. However, one of my favorites is her cover of Kenny Loggins’ “Danny’s Song”, which is imbedded here. Oh, and there’s a Canadian connection: Loggins’ recording partner Jimmy Messina was also a member of Buffalo Springfield with previous honouree Neil Young. She has also recorded with Martina McBride, whose husband played Little League baseball with my older brother in Wichita, Kansas. It’s like of like playing Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, but with Canada.

Not only was Anne Murray the last person to sing Maple Leaf Forever at the closing of the Maple Leaf Garden in Toronto, she was one of eight Canadians chosen to carry the Olympic flag during the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympics. Again, how cool can you be? She’s the kind of person I would like to be when I grow up.

And a special bonus track, thanks to the beloved husband. It's Ms. Murray singing The Maple Leaf Forever during the final Maple Leafs game at Maple Leaf Gardens. Sadly, there is no accompanying video, but she does sound fabulous.