Nashville in Newtown: Sold-out music shows got their start at a kitchen table | CBC News

The pandemic can be described as a lot of things, and for Ruth Pelley, she was certain of one thing. 

“I thought that there was time for everybody to get out and laugh and have some fun again,” she said. 

Pelley had an idea for a Christmas musical in her home of Newtown, on Newfoundland’s northeast coast. The two shows sold out and it was a hit. But she wasn’t yet done with singing and dancing.

Enter Christine Humphries, who already had her own dreams for having a singing group in the community. She linked up with Pelley and the idea for a country music show was born, with the title Who’s Going to Fill Their Shoes? 

“We talked about it, we got some fabulous musicians onboard with us, and we took it from there and it grew,” said Humphries.

All four shows have been sellouts, and the next one already has a wait list. 

“The love for music and for entertaining was top priority,” said Pelley. 

“Country music does a lot to people. Music in general does a lot to people.”

It’s a true community effort, both women said. 

The Kittiwake Shore Thing is made up of about 45 people, including set designers, lighting, dancers and singers.

Proceeds from the various shows have gone to support local charities to help cement community ties, said Pelley.

She said the reception to the show is hard to grasp. 

“When I sat down at my kitchen table and put this show together, I knew in my heart that we could do it,” said Pelley.

“I knew the talent in this area, I knew the venues here would be just super, and show after show after show being sold out is still a bit surreal, but we’re so happy that people in our area have responded and supported us.”

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