Submitted by Sandy Graham
Singer-songwriter, actor and activist Tom Jackson is once again hitting the road for charity. The 74-year-old, whose philanthropic efforts have raised an estimated $250 million in cash and in-kind food banks and disaster relief since the 80s, will launch his national Stories, Songs & Santa Causes tour Nov. 24 in Edmonton and wrap up on Dec. 16 in St. John’s.
Sponsored by Canada Life — the 26th year of their support — the pre-holiday concerts feature an evening of original music, sing-along tunes, and signature Christmas music from master storyteller, Tom Jackson; BC Country Music Association hall-of-fame producer, Tom McKillip; and award-winning producer/multi-instrumentalist John MacArthur Ellis begins November 24.
“Stories, Songs & Santa Causes is about the why not the what. For us, the why is to make you happy, because healthy is happy, and happy is healthy. This show is designed to get you out of your funk, and for you to help us save lives. The ‘why’ is what separates us from others. Buy a ticket, save lives. Stories, Songs & Santa Causes is about giving a gift,” says Tom.
The Canadian screen legend, whose credits include North of 60, Shining Time Station, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Law & Order, Red Earth Uncovered, Outlander, and Cardinal, has equally balanced a long career in acting and music. In 2018, he released The Essential Tom Jackson, a two-disc, 21-track retrospective, and in 2021 was compelled to pen a new song, “Lost Souls,” after the remains of 215 children were found on grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Tom was born on the One Arrow Reserve in Saskatchewan, before moving to Namao, Alberta at age 7 and Winnipeg at 14; he now resides in Calgary.
Since 1987 Tom has raised funds and awareness for local food banks and family service agencies via his Huron Carole and Singing for Supper Christmas concert tours. In 2020 and 2021, The Huron Carole “toured” virtually by Zoom for various agencies as they searched for creative ways to connect and remedy a dramatic loss of donors.
Also in 2020, he produced and hosted the online variety series Almighty Voices, in which artists and thought leaders delivered performances and messages to create joy, health, and dollars for Unison Benevolent Fund, which provides emergency relief services to the Canadian music community.
In 2022, Tom spent time in the Maritimes shooting a new CTV/Crave series, “Sullivan’s Crossing” set for release in 2023.
Appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000, in November 2020 Tom was promoted to Companion, the highest designation within the Order. Additional honours including the 2007 Juno and Gemini humanitarian awards, Playback’s Radio & Television Hall of Fame, and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. He is currently an ambassador for the Red Cross.
Described as grace meets style and quirky festivity, Stories, Songs & Santa Causes promises to deliver on all the causes – compassion, empathy, faith, hope and love – that many have enjoyed for decades. Not unlike The Huron Carole, audiences will get to enjoy some of Tom’s in-person charm and first-hand commitment to those in need.
Tom, Tom and John can’t promise “no Dad jokes,” but the performance will bring some much-welcome levity and humanity with a date-night – or family-day – vibe.
“The show is all about resiliency, reinforcement, remembrance, reverence, and celebration. We’ve learned how to function above despair. We will facilitate a connection that brings joy and provides a landing place for well-being,”
Submitted by Sandy Graham
Tour Dates:
November 24 – Edmonton
November 25 – New Westminster
November 29 – Lethbridge
November 30 – Calgary
December 1 – Calgary
December 3 – Regina
December 4 – Brandon
December 6 – Winnipeg
December 8 – Peterborough
December 9 – Toronto
December 11 – Ottawa
December 13 – Halifax
December 16 – St. John’s