Mitch moves into Top 3
-by Frank Macdonald

While the show’s judges gave mixed reviews to MacDonald’s performance, Mitch MacDonald was consistent in theme and presentation, a perspective he has kept throughout the elimination process, remaining a basically sit-down acoustic performer with a strong sense that what Canadians hear from him on Canadian Idol will be consistent with what they hear from him as his personal music career progresses.

MacDonald was coming into Monday’s show energized by the wave of support shown at a Mitch Rally in Port Hood on Saturday evening. An estimated 3000 people poured into Inverness County’s tiny shire town to cheer on the last remaining Atlantic presence in the Idol search.

In what must have been the most courteous traffic jam in Canada this summer, bumper to bumper cars politely waved each other through stop signs and yield signs in Port Hood as people made their way to the Al MacInnis Sports Centre where the rally was being staged outdoors on an evening to rival any experienced in Cape Breton this summer.

Waiting for his introduction on stage, Mitch MacDonald talked to reporters about his experience in this dizzying annual search for Canada’s most talented performers.

“I never thought I’d get this far,” MacDonald said, adding that "it’s overwhelming to have all these people here in support of me." He did acknowledge with a smile that among the crowd were 60 first cousins. “I was home a couple of months ago, and it was a bit of a buzz going on, but nothing like this."

The most pressure he experiences, the singer said, “is to sit and sing in front of the four judges – but I stick to my taste in music,” which he defines as being folk rock. His motivation amid the pressure is to call home. He also carries a good luck charm, a small piece of jade.

“The four of us who are left are tight friends. We suggest things to each other.”

The highlight of the process has been working with the professional musicians who are invited each week to work with and advise the idol finalists, adding that it was “really cool” to meet Tom Jones, although the famed singer hasn’t been an influence in MacDonald’s music style.

As for his future in the show and beyond, MacDonald described what awaits the eventual Canadian Idol. There will be a recording contract signed with a label and the release of an album. There will be a lot of touring and working with songwriters.

“If not, I’d love to do an album sometime. One with all my own material is the goal.”

As for his own music idol, that’s fellow Cape Bretoner Gordie Sampson.

Canada’s final choice or not, Mitch MacDonald says the experience has been one in which he is learning a lot about himself.

One of the things he did learn on Saturday in Port Hood is that you can come home again, as he discovered when he stepped on the stage to thunderous applause from thousands of fans, politicians and musicians.

“I can’t believe all the people here tonight,” he told the audience. “You’re helping me follow my dreams, so let’s have some fun,” and with that Mitch MacDonald was joined by Crossfire, a band that includes his brothers, Brennan and Gordie; his cousin, Cape Breton fiddler Bonnie Jean MacDonald; bass player Steven Gillis and percussionist Neil MacQuarrie.

Midway through the set, another musician joined Mitch on stage. Natalie MacMaster and her fiddle accompanied Mitch MacDonald through his performance of Oh Atlanta. Earlier, the internationally acclaimed musician told Wendy Bergfeldt of CBC’s Mainstreet that Canadian Idol is a great way of taking someone like Mitch in a completely different direction. “He’s just 22. What a great age to be.”

During his hometown visit, the Inverness Municipality presented Mitch with a work by Mabou Coal Mines artist Peter Rankin. MP Rodger Cuzner presented him with a Screaming Eagles hockey sweater, and Premier Rodney MacDonald presented him with a Nova Scotia flag which had flown over the House of Assembly.

“The greatest part of this,” the premier told Mitch, “is that you haven’t forgotten where you’re from.”

Throughout the afternoon, emcee Bob MacEachern of 101.5 The Hawk encouraged the crowd to vote for Mitch MacDonald.

Clearly they did!