Johnny Olivers new CD features song memorializing teen

Gina Marie Gallant was a vibrant, fun-loving teen who loved life and her family. The 17 year old was on her way to realizing her dream of becoming a hair stylist.
Tragically, on May 4, 2005, just weeks before graduation, Gina Marie's life was cut short in a car accident.
Now, a song penned in her memory will help young Islanders facing life-threatening illnesses fulfill their dreams.
"The best way of describing it is like having part of my daughter back, something to remember her by," Vincent Gallant said of the song named after his daughter.
"There's a message in the song for the younger generation to enjoy life because you never know when something is going to happen."
Last year he approached Summerside singer Johnny Oliver to write the song.
The first time he heard "Gina Marie" was an emotional moment.
"It was very sad. I cried," said Gallant. "They did a perfect job."
The song is on Oliver's new CD, "I'm Not Up For Sale," set to be launched Saturday at Harbourfront Theatre. He wrote the song with his wife Joan.
"We took it as quite an honour," Oliver said of being asked to create the tribute. "It turned out so good and we put so much into it that there was no way it couldn't go on the album."
"I'm Not Up for Sale" is Oliver's second CD, a follow-up to 2008's "The Reason". A portion of the sales of the CD, which is dedicated to Gina, are going to a foundation in her name that raises money for the Children's Wish Foundation.
"Gina would be very happy because she just loved kids," said Gallant. "She had a first cousin that was granted a wish. She was 10 years old and had lung cancer and was granted a wish. It has special meaning."
The song is a heart-felt duet between Oliver and daughter, Dakota.
"Everything in the song came from the family. They told me the little things that she liked, that she did," he added. "We've probably sung it 300 times and we still get chills.
"It has become a family affair. It's like we know Gina Marie now."
The CD, a mix of blues, country and rock, was recorded at Gordon Belsher's Guernsey Cover Parlour Productions.
As well as singing, Dakota plays keyboard on the recording. Oliver's other daughter, Dallas, plays
bass and they all provide vocals with Nathan Condon on fiddle and Denis Larocque on guitar.
The launch begins at 8 p.m. Oliver will perform songs from "I'm Not Up For Sale" and make a cheque presentation to the Gallant family.

Listen to "Gina Marie" at
www.journalpioneer.com