MoonShine Reunites in St. Stephen for a Cause

More than fifty years after their first jam sessions as wide-eyed high school students, the original members of MoonShine are tuning up for a homecoming performance that blends nostalgia with community spirit.

The band, formed in 1973, will reunite for one night only at the St. Stephen Legion on Saturday, August 16, at 7 p.m. Organizers say the evening will be both a celebration and a fundraiser, with proceeds directed to the Charlotte County SPCA and the local food bank. Given the rising demand for services, the band felt strongly about giving back. Donations of non-perishable food items will also be collected at the door, adding another layer of community involvement.

MoonShine’s story begins in the early 1970s, when a group of teenagers came together under the name Silver Nickel — a playful nod to another Canadian show band of the era, Copper Penny. “We went four cents higher,” laughed drummer Butch Speedy, recalling the early days. Their first payday came in the form of a $25 prize for finishing third in a local talent show, money that disappeared almost instantly on pizza and soda.

When a rival group in nearby Calais adopted the name Sunrise, the boys decided they needed something with equal punch and rechristened themselves MoonShine. The new name stuck, even as the members grew up, moved away, and built lives across North America. Today, guitarist Kirk Dougherty calls Arizona home, bassist Marty Middlemiss lives in Ottawa, and Speedy remains in St. Stephen, where his ties to the local music scene are still strong. Despite the distance, all three musicians say their connection to the town — and to each other — has never faded.

The reunion set list is designed to bring audiences back to the dance halls of their youth. Fans can expect a high-energy mix of classics from the 1960s and ’70s, with a few ’50s staples sprinkled in for good measure. The band will pay tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Eagles, and the late Gordon Lightfoot with a rendition of “Sundown.” “Everybody knows Butch because he lives here,” Dougherty said, “but a lot of people remember the band too.”

Rehearsals, spread out over long distances, have become as much about storytelling as about music. “We do a lot of talking,” Dougherty admitted. “You remember, you remember.” For Speedy, the act of playing is more than reliving the past — it’s a kind of medicine. “It’s great therapy to come out and practise,” he said.

Beyond the music, the concert carries a larger purpose. Food banks across the country have faced record usage in recent years, and the Charlotte County SPCA has struggled to meet growing demand. “Food banks everywhere, you have to have that,” Dougherty explained, noting that the decision to support these charities was unanimous. Both organizations will benefit directly from the night’s proceeds.

The choice of venue adds to the sense of tradition. The St. Stephen Legion has long been a gathering place for the community and a home for live music. Past MoonShine performances filled the dance floor. “People were dancing... they were just having a great time,” Middlemiss recalled. The band hopes to recreate that magic once again.

As showtime approaches, the musicians’ excitement is hard to miss. “I get excited to sing that first song,” Middlemiss said. For Speedy, the joy is found not just in the crowd’s response, but in the simple fact of being back on stage with old friends. “Just the chance to play with these guys again is very rewarding,” he said.

For the audience, Saturday promises more than a concert. It will be a reunion, a fundraiser, and a trip down memory lane — proof that music, like friendship, only grows stronger with time.