Island musicians helping community with Christmas CD

Sean Kemp and Michael Mooney are among a group of Island musicians who wanted to find a way to give back to the community.

But as Island musicians, they admit that resources can be limited.

So, they gave back the best way they know how by putting out a Christmas CD to raise money for the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry and Food Bank in Charlottetown.

12 Songs of Christmas

"It's very rewarding and very satisfying to be able to do this in this way," Kemp told Mainstreet P.E.I. "Each time it sells, you get a little bit more money for the cause."

This is the second year Kemp, Mooney and a host of other Island musicians are putting out the 12 Songs of Christmas: A PEI Christmas Gift to raise money for the food bank.

• Christmas CD by Island artists raising money for food bank

"We really didn't have any expectation. We weren't sure how well it would sell and how people would respond to it,"said Mooney."Of course, any amount is welcomed. But, we were quite happy with the amount we were able to raise."

CD raised $8,000

Last year, the CD raised $8,000 for the food bank.

Kemp explained the idea to put out a Christmasalbum came together one night last year at Mooney's residence. Many of the musicians who ended up on the album were talking in the kitchen and either had a song to contribute or wanted to write one.

"It just kind of sprang from there,"said Mooney.

Besides Kemp and Mooney, other musicians on the album areRoger Greaves,Sean Mooney,Margie Carmichael,Mike and Wendy Stratton,Sandy Kowalik, Chris Corrigan,Chas Guay,Jill McRae and Adam Gallant,Tian Wigmore andLaurie Brinklow.

Mooney said it is hard to say if a "volume two" with new Christmas songs will be coming out in the future, especially since the songs on this version were either already written or in the process of being written.

But Kemp said "never say never."

Information on the album, including where it can be purchased, can be found on the album's website.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |Space heater blamed for fire that killed puppies
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |P.E.I. carbon tax will mean big spike in gas prices