For international recording star John McDermott, his latest tour marks a return to his Scottish roots, as well as a return to the Nickel City.
On April 29, McDermott will return to Sudbury for a performance when he takes the stage at the Fraser Auditorium for the first time since 2014.
McDermott's latest album "Raised on Songs and Stories" is an homage to the singer's Scottish heritage.
"Robbie Burns has always been a big part of my career, there are so many old Scottish songs that musically, so many people recognize, but don't know the name."
Perhaps the most well-known of Burns' works is "Auld Lang Syne", which is the first song on McDermott's latest release.
While many of the melodies will ring out as familiar, even to those who don't consider themselves traditional followers of Scottish music, McDermott says that it's the lyrics that really connect audiences to the music.
"There's a song on this album 'The Loch Tay Boat Song' and it's about a man at sea, and he's missing the love of his life and he knows it's not going to work out," said McDermott.
"It's stories like that and lyrics that connect people to the music. I think anyone can relate to a story about a long-distance relationship or missing a loved one."
The 62-year-old McDermott has enjoyed a 25-year music career that has taken him around the world, earned him numerous award nominations and wins and seen him share stages with some top notch musicians.
Even with a quarter century of music under his belt, the talented vocalist is showing no signs of slowing down.
"I'm already working on my next project," said McDermott. "Where 'Raised on Songs and Stories' is a tribute to my Scottish roots, my next project delves into Irish heritage."
McDermott's most recently released album is listed at 19 tracks, but the entire album is one continuous play with no breaks between songs. This format has afforded McDermott a fresh and creative way to tinker with his live performances as well.
"The melodies all flow from one song into the other so it's seamless," he said. "When I'm on stage performing live, those transitions from song to song, the music is still going but I use that time to talk and share some stories with the audience."
McDermott's Sudbury show is the third in a stretch of four shows in four nights, but that suits the 25-year veteran just fine.
"I love touring, I love going back to cities that I haven't visited in a while and getting to know my audiences," said McDermott. "Being in the studio and putting the album together, that's the work part and all lead up, the tour is the fun part."
The show promises songs from his latest release, as well as some old favourites and some covers as well. McDermott says he will take time before and after the show to meet with audience members.
"I have to thank everybody for allowing me to do what I do," said McDermott. "If you don't have an audience you don't really have a gig, so I'm just thankful for everyone who comes out."
Tickets for McDermott's performance are $47.50, and are available at the Sudbury Theatre Centre Box Office.
