By Sean O’Malley, CAMH Senior Media Relations Specialist
Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan grew up in a musical home. Her father Gene MacLellan was a prolific singer-songwriter himself, helping launch the international career of Anne Murray with “Snowbird” and writing for a diverse array of musicians that included Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby and Joan Baez.
But Gene was also fighting a secret war within himself, something he did not reveal to even his closest friends and family.
He died by suicide when Catherine was 14-years-old.
It was while dealing with her grief alone in her bedroom when she taught herself how to play guitar and write music.
“That really helped me, using art as a tool for processing grief. It was amazing,” says Catherine in the latest CAMH podcast.
Dealing with the aftermath of her father’s death and coming to terms with her own mental illness is also the subject of the new documentary film “The Song and the Sorrow”, which opens the annual Workman Arts Rendezvous With Madness Festival. Now entering its 26th year, it is one of the largest art and mental health festivals in the world.
Also joining me on the podcast to talk about the past and present of the festival is Workman Arts Executive Artistic Director Kelly Straughan, whose 350 artist members all have lived experience with mental illness.
To listen to my interview with Catherine and Kelly click here.
To see the trailer for “The Song and the Sorrow” click here.
For a full list of events, times, and ticket info click here.
Following the opening night screening on October 10th, there will be additional screenings of The Song and the Sorrow on October 18th at 12pm at 100 Stokes (Sacred Space) and October 19th at 12pm at 33 Russell St, room T321.