Fort McMurray wildfire: east coast musicians offering support for relief efforts

East coast musicians are stepping up and offering their support for those affected by the massive wildfires in the Fort McMurray area.

Rapper Classified and fellow musician David Myles will be donating the proceeds from the sale of their song, ‘Work Away,’ to the Canadian Red Cross relief efforts.

READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: First clear satellite images show deserted streets, burned homes

The two wrote the song about a year and a half ago and it was released on Classified’s latest album in January.

It pays tribute to their many friends, especially from the east coast, who travel to work in the Alberta oilsands.

“It’s not an easy life. They make a lot of sacrifices and their families do too,” Classified said Friday.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's not an easy life. They make a lot of sacrifices and their families do too," Classified said Friday.

“It was just something that was very relatable to the people on the east coast and the Maritimes that was ‘like let’s write a song about this.'”

The video, which was just released this week, features interviews with workers who make the trek across the country and highlights their challenges.

With this week’s devastating fires in Fort McMurray, which forced the evacuation of thousands, the song now has new meaning.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said.

“I was in Fort McMurray not that long ago. We did a show up there. To see a whole town — that many people being affected by it. It’s definitely something that hits you.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I was in Fort McMurray not that long ago. We did a show up there. To see a whole town — that many people being affected by it. It's definitely something that hits you."

Many other Maritime artists getting on board

Many Maritime musicians are feeling compelled to help in the fundraising efforts too.

Halifax music label, GroundSwell Music, will be donating all profits from their online store until May 15. The label features six Altlantic Canadian artists, including The Town Heroes, The Stanfields, Carleton Stone, Like a Motorcycle, The Mike Bochoff Band and Rawlins Cross.

READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: resident in convoy through community calls scene ‘very Apocalyptic’

Mike Ryan, a member of The Town Heroes says it was a quick decision amongst all the musicians to pitch in and donate their proceeds.

“This is a tragedy that affects us all,” Ryan said.

“It’s very close to home so we wanted to do whatever we could to help.”

Ryan is from Inverness in Cape Breton, a community where many residents have headed west for work. He knows of several people who have lost their homes in the Fort McMurrray fires.

“People I grew up with on the same street, played sports with, went to high school with, I’m getting updates from them online and it’s devastating out there. So we just want to do whatever part we can to help out our friends and family out there,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "People I grew up with on the same street, played sports with, went to high school with, I'm getting updates from them online and it's devastating out there. So we just want to do whatever part we can to help out our friends and family out there," he said.

Benefit concerts are also being planned across the Atlantic provinces, including one organized by musician Ben Caplan dubbed ‘From Halifax to Fort Mac with Love.’

“I just had this overwhelming feeling that I had to do something and I was about to make a donation on the Red Cross website when I realized maybe I’m in a position where I could do a little bit more,” Caplan said.

He’ll be joined by Hillsburn, Gabrielle Papillon, Keith Mullins, and Taryn Kawaja on Tuesday, May 10 at The Carleton Music Bar & Grill. Ticket sales will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross and additional donations will be taken at the concert.

“The other marvelous thing about it as well is that donations to the Red Cross will be matched by the Canadian government, so when people come down and pay their $25 ticket to get in, not only will they be getting a great night of music and entertainment but they will also be effectively giving a $50 donation to the Red Cross.”

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