Andrea Markey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 27/05) - The CD release concert, featuring songs from "My Violin & I" by Chic Callas and 11 other musicians, is both a celebration and a milestone.

Chic Callas releases his CD "My Violin and I" with a free concert June 11 at Northern United Place, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Ten per cent of the sales from the CD will go towards the NWT Canadian Mental Health Association.

Having lived with depression for six years, the CD also marks a personal release for him, Callas said. It will be the first time he has played many of the songs from the CD publicly.

"I hope by sharing my pain it will help others understand depression," he said.

For those who know him, the night of music will help them better understand him, he said. Callas hopes even those who don't know him will be better able to understand others who are struggling with depression.

"I've had depression for a long time and I still don't understand it," he said.

"People who have had depression will understand what I'm saying."

The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates as many as one in five people in Yellowknife struggle with some level of depression.

The CD is not a mainstream one, he said, noting the mood changes throughout but by the end of the evening performance, people will leave feeling happy.

"The fiddle is the balance between sadness and happiness," he said.

Songs include The Prime Minister Is Coming, performed for Jean Chretien's farewell Northern tour in 2004, and Mickey's Waltz, composed for the "25 Years in Yellowknife" party.

Other songs tell of Callas' struggle with depression, such as Live Until I Die and Carry On.

On June 11, Callas will be accompanied by his son, Brendan, as well as Pat Braden, Moira Cameron, Brodie Dawson, Theresa Fehrmann, Bill Gilday, Steve Goff, Ronna Kingsley, Steve Lacey, Jon Powell and Steve Smith.

It is the first time the musicians will all be together, as the CD was recorded track by track.

"I hope to see a lot of friendly faces in the audience," Callas said.