Baby Boomers remember Andy Kim for his chart-topping hit songs of the late 60s and early 70s, such as Sugar Sugar (as part of The Archies), Baby I Love You and Rock Me Gently.
Andy is proud and honoured that his career and hit songs have carried over to new generations of music fans over the past 50 years. However, he can’t forget his childhood growing up in the tenements of his native Montreal, especially during the holiday season.
“Christmas was pretty tight for my family. We always had a tree, but not much stuff underneath it,” he said during a recent phone interview.
His memories of those difficult Christmases of his childhood never left him. And when his music career picked up and he began touring on a regular basis, Andy decided to give back.
“During stops along my tours, I always made it a point to go to children’s hospitals and centres with my guitar and entertain them,” he said. “It always was a great sight to see the kids smile when I sang ‘Sugar Sugar’ and then would sing along. Those moments always stayed with me.”
His way of giving back also extended to giving his time to CHUM radio’s annual Christmas Wish charity, as well as Juliette’s Place, a Scarborough-based shelter that serves as a refuge for abused women and their children.
20 Years of Andy Kim Christmas Shows in Toronto
Twenty years ago, Andy launched his Andy Kim Christmas show in Toronto, where an impressive line-up of Canada’s finest singers, musicians and music groups volunteered their time and talent for an evening of song, entertainment and holiday cheer to benefit a good cause. This year’s 21st edition is scheduled for December 3 at Massey Hall, one of Canada’s oldest standing — and most revered — public venues.
“Massey Hall, along with Carnegie Hall, are the two places everybody wants to perform in; it’s the best place to be,” he said. “And it’s great to know that the current renovations that took place there did not change anything regarding its acoustics and sound quality.”
Proceeds to CAMH Gift of Light Program
Proceeds from the December 3 show will benefit the Gifts of Light program of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), which offers a wide range of services such as brief interventions, inpatient and outpatient programs, and family support.
“CAMH offers a wonderful environment that is giving and caring. When patients arrive at the center with nothing on but a bathrobe, they not only get a new pair of jeans, t-shirt or sweatshirt, they also receive a sense of self-esteem,” he said.
Past editions of the Christmas show boasted some of the greatest names in Canadian entertainment, such as Colin James, the Cowboy Junkies, Feist, Sarah McLachlan, Nelly Furtado, Michel Pagliaro and Russell Peters. Andy stated that the artists’ lineup for this year’s show will be unveiled sometime this week.
Montreal and Vancouver Shows
As well, the Andy Kim Christmas Show has expanded beyond Toronto. There will be the 12th annual Montreal show on December 6 at Le 9ieme, which is located on the ninth floor of the old Eaton’s department store building. Scheduled to appear with Andy are Roch Voisine, The Box, Alexe, Vince Lemire, Gabrielle Fredette and Sarah Vanderzon. Then on December 13, the Christmas show will make its way to Vancouver.
And no matter who appears on stage every year for the Andy Kim Christmas show, whether it be artists who are known across Canada or locally, Andy is proud of those performers who are willing to volunteer their time for such a noble cause.
“The shows always feature a wonderful array of talent whom you expect to see and hear, or maybe discover an artist whom you haven’t heard about yet. I am so grateful to them that they not only agree to participate, but also care about what we are doing. They are a marvelous community who are willing to help those individuals who are in need,” he said.
To purchase tickets for the annual Andy Kim Christmas show that’s taking place on December 3 at Massey Hall, go to ticketmaster.ca. To purchase tickets for the December 6 show in Montreal, go to feverup.com.
interview by Stuart Nulman
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