NORTH HATLEY: As part of his Late Edition Tour, David Francey will be returning to the stage of The Piggery on Thursday, September 26, at 8p.m. He will be accompanied by Mark Westberg, Chris Coole and Darren McMullen. David’s straightforward songs tell honest stories of real people and real places. The upcoming performance will be a fundraiser for the Plymouth Trinity Church.

David Francey is a Scottish-born Canadian carpenter-turned-songwriter, who has become known as “one of Canada’s most revered folk poets and singers” (Toronto Star). Born in Ayrshire, Scotland to parents who were factory workers, he moved to Canada when he was twelve. For decades, he worked across Canada in rail yards, construction sites, and in the Yukon bush, all the while writing poetry, setting it to melodies in his head and singing it to himself as he worked.

His attachment to Canada grew with travel. He hitched across the country three times and then thumbed his way to the Yukon. This attachment surfaces in his songs of rail lines, farms, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. He grew to understand the people while working in Toronto train yards, the Yukon bush, and as a carpenter in the Eastern Townships. These experiences colour his first CD, ‘Torn Screen Door’, with songs like Hard Steel Mill, Gypsy Boys, and Working Poor and his second, ‘Far End of Summer’, with Highway, Flowers of Saskatchewan and February Morning Drive.

A truly authentic folk singer, Francey never imagined earning a living from his music. But when he was in his 40s, his wife, artist Beth Girdler, encouraged him to share his songs and sing in public. The reaction was instant. His first album Torn Screen Door came out in 1999 and was a hit in Canada. Since then, he has released ten albums, won three Juno Awards and has had his songs covered by such artists as The Del McCoury Band, The Rankin Family, James Keelaghan and Tracy Grammer.

Francey also had the honour of receiving the prestigious SOCAN Folk Music Award as well as taking home the Grand Prize in both the International Acoustic Music Award and in the Folk category for the John Lennon Songwriting Award.

In concert David is a singer and a storyteller. His wry sense of humour and astute observations combined with his open-hearted singing style has earned him a loyal following. In support of his newest album, ‘So Say We All’, David Francey will be touring Canada and United States throughout 2013 and 2014. Beautifully spare and full of instant classics, Francey’s latest album is sure to be a favorite with folk fans of every generation.

To reserve your tickets ($25@), contact The Piggery (215 chemin Simard, St. Catherine de Hatley) at 819-842-2431