'Cape Breton misses her': Rita MacNeil to be honoured in Christmas concert

Rita MacNeil may be gone, but the Cape Breton songstress’ friends are coming together for a special tribute concert to recapture her Christmas classics.

Gordon Sheriff of Men of the Deeps says the concert will bring back a lot of memories.

“When we do the show, no doubt there will be a few of us with a little tear in our eye because we do miss her. Cape Breton misses her,” said Sheriff.

MacNeil’s son, Wade Langham, says there's been a void since his mother's passing two years ago. He's hoping to once again hear his mother’s hit songs in a live setting.

“Some of the arrangements are definitely tried and true to her original album,” said Langham. “Some are a different take. We are also going to incorporate Rita herself. It should be really nice.”

Many of MacNeil’s guests from past television specials will take part in the show, but Men in the Deeps had a special connection with her.

“It's going to be very emotional for us,” said Nipper MacLeod. “Those tours meant so much to us. It was some of the best trips that we ever had were with Rita. She touched so many people.”

The show will take place Thursday at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, and will focus on MacNeil’s best-selling Christmas album, Now the Bells Ring.

“I'm sure so many people miss her as much as we do and if they go next week they will have a little taste of what we’re missing with Rita gone,” said MacLeod.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore.