www.cbc.ca/nl/video/?playlistId=9508efa3fc18fd6e0e75c33934a892d1db3719e1&videoId=970593529

You may want to post this in the main body of the FTR.  

What a special moment.  I was so happy to have heard about it & posted the link.  I'm guessing that Jean on the accordian & Tom on the guitar are Allan's parents. I do remember seeing his dad before at A Night of Doyles.  

Enjoy.

Gathering Place   (709) 753-3234  
172 Military Rd.
St. John's, NL  
753-3234
gatheringplace@nf.aibn.com

What a joy it must be for you to bring smiles to the faces of those in need.  Such a wonderful gift for those who need it most, especially at this time of year.
Thanks for sharing the moment with us.
 

Thank you for leading by example in giving back to your communities! Not just during the holiday season but year-round.
Thanks too for the Platypus card which gives back to world in it's own fashion. :o)

Whata a lovely thing to do, though I bet it is just one of the many things you all do in and for your community.  Peace and joy to you and your family!

...and hey, you mixed it up on stage! Change is good:)

This is why I love GBS.  You play to sold-out crowds on a regular basis but you're not above playing in a gym to give back to the local community.  Thanks for being genuine people who we fans can feel good about supporting.  Thank you for the joy you bring us year-round.  Merry Christmas to all of you!  

Good on you guys... You looked like you had a ball..!!

And cool that you managed to get Mum and Dad up to rock the house..!!

loved the video guys, always good too see people with smiling faces listing to amazing music. Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

hey that rocks i think that is so cool .have a good chrismas and happy  new year to all of you giys
-XOXOXOXO-hollylocke nl

That was a great gig to play at the Gathering Place. I hope you have a holiday as special as you are.

Thank you very much for sharing that video with us, and general yays! for Mr. and Mrs. Doyle! Clearly, they have taught you well.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all you folks!

It's great that you share you gift of music with others less fortunate during a time of year when they're probably reminded of it ten fold.  You guys seem to know how to give back. Alan your Mom n Dad are just too cool. Hope you all have a Blessed Christmas!

God rest ye merry gentlemen!  You bring comfort and joy to so many; merry Christmas to you all.

Well done!  Only in Canada would a successful band like GBS remember their roots & give back.  It warms the heart to know that you are giving back to your community.  I watched with great pride the CBC video...proud of you all & proud to be Canadian!  Best wishes for a Merry X-Mas & a Happy & Healthy New Year to each of you & your families.  Enjoy your much needed rest!

May Peace and Joy bless yous & your families in this holiday season.  

Thanks for giving back.

Merry Christmas to you all here and also of course to you Alan and your lovely family!

May God Bless you all!

I hope you all havbe a Merry Christmas! <3

Would have loved to hear more from your Mum and Dad:)

Merry Christmas and enjoy a well deserved break with your families.

Thanks for sharing that with us. Love and Joy come to you all.

As if it were possible, I love you guys even more! What a fabulous thing to do!  I watched it with my son and showed him what real music stars and heroes were all about...generosity!
May the holidays bring you peace and joy with your families!

hey
my mom sade to me if  she konw you  guys where playing she was going to tack  me donw to see you guys paly
love ya -XOXOXO-holly

hey
my mom sade to me if  she konw you  guys where playing she was going to tack  me donw to see you guys paly
love ya -XOXOXO-holly

What a wonderful gift......bring a tear to the eye to see the wee ones there too! Not such an ordinary day for these folks...a wonderful gift...the gift of ones self! Couldn't get more Christmasy!
I'm a wee bit envyious...but not in a bad way. Music is the joy of life!
Thank You!
From my family to yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS! To all of you!

Good on ya for demonstrating the true meaning of Christmas. God bless all of you and your families. Have a very happy new year too!

From filling the 'new hockey rink' in Kingston to playing a small crowd in a gym you really know how to make the crowd happy. Nice to see that even when you feel like rock stars, your roots aren't forgotten.
Well Done!
Merry Christmas!!

I think that was awesome and your dads a good singer there to Alan. Have a Happy Holidays to you and the boys

I can see where Alan got his pipes , not to mention his good looks and giving spirit. Good on ya, guys. The interview with the woman about The Gathering Place was heartwarming as well. She's a sweetheart. Really gets down to what is important in life. Love, family & friends.

  Merry Christmas

A way to spread more cheer over Christmas - Alan - do another 24 hr magic musical mystery play.  (People probably know Alan starred as Danny in Grease ~ 5 yrs ago - have 24 hrs to rehearse.  I had to post this when I saw that Alan was eating with Russell Crowe in LA & Russell was preparing to play Robin Hood.  
www.buzzfoto.com/2008/12/russell-crowe/russell-crowe-tries-hard-to-loose-weight/

Well, Guess what - there are 2 plays being considered for this years magical musical mystery: Robin Hood & Men in Tights (I guess the 2 versions of the Robin Hood Play) - I'm serious & it's for a good cause - I think Learning disabilities.  

So, Alan, this would spread more cheer.  & if your friend Russell decides to come to NL for Christmas - he could be in it too.  Maybe you guys could trade off in between.  

First of all I would like to wish Bob, Alan, Sean, Chris, Murray and the rest of the Great Big Sea family a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and happy year in 2009.

Secondly, I'd like to tell you guys that you made a huge difference in my life this year.  I was in the audience when you played in Oshawa, Ontario.  I had been feeling really down and very afraid as my husband, Gary, works at General Motors and he is in danger of losing his job.  I had been looking forward to seeing you guys ever since I got the tickets way back last summer.  I have to tell you though, that I had no idea of how much your concert would pick me up out of the black hole I had been in.  It's been over a month since then and I am still on a high.  Thankyou so very much.  You guys have a special talent not just for music, but for infecting your fans with happiness.
Love to you all
Sue

edit to my earlier post - the 2 plays to be drawn from on Dec 28 for the Dec 29 (8pm) show are Magical Mystery Musical show are (1) Alladin or (2) Robin Hood - Men in tights.  Merry Christmas all. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=38555472774  

Wow, Alan, you guys are wonderful.  What a wonderful and beautiful way to share Christmas spirit with those who probably need it most.  Like a previous poster said, your music does have a way of bringing happiness to many people - Newfies and not.

And it's things like this that show that, despite your money and fame, you're still humble.  You're great musicians, but incredibly kind people too.  You seem to truly care about people - and not just as fans, but as people.

And it was absolutely awesome to hear your parents playing/singing Paddy Murphy.  Your dad's a pretty good singer.

Your parents must be incredibly proud of you.  Not because you have money and fame, but because you've remained true to your roots, you've spread Newfoundland music and culture around the world, and because you continue to give back to the community.

I'm writing this on Boxing Day, so I can't say that I hope you have a merry Christmas, but I do hope that you guys all *had* a merry Christmas.  I hope your little boy had fun opening presents!

I do have one question: where were Murray and Kris?

I can only echo what other folk have said...! You guys epitomize joy and giving back to the community- and sharing your talents with others. Awesome!

i love it how you guys are active in your community, and it looks like everyone really enjoyed your music i no when you guys were in THUnder BaY i was so happy that you actually came, but i could of done without the nude guy running across the stage.....come back again for some more persians and maybe play a couple songs for us