Is Martha and the Muffin’s famous recording “Echo Beach” about Bon Echo?

Martha Johnson and Mark Gane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvqjYxeTODY (See the original performance in 1980)

There is a lot of hoopla over the re-release of “Echo Beach” marking a 30 year anniversary for the Canadian group “Martha and the Muffins”.  Many have thought that the song was inspired by Bon Echo Provincial Park although according to the groups Facebook page, Mark Gane “there’s no connection between the song and the park although I’ve been to Bon Echo. A beautiful spot! MG”  (Their re-release of Echo Beach is posted on their FB page).

I’ve wondered myself about the connection because CBC reported yesterday (Aug 17th) about the release and how campers at Bon Echo will be excited about the re-lease of this international hit. 

Something very cool about the group is they are holding a contest to celebrate 30 years of Echo Beach becoming an international hit, Martha and the Muffins will write and record a song about a big day in the life of one lucky fan.

From their website:

“Celebrating 30 years of Echo Beach is a big day for us. We wanted to create a contest that would help us celebrate this achievement and give one of our fans a big day to look back on 30 years from now”- Mark Gane

To enter the contest, fans must submit a 200-word story describing a big day in their life to echobeach300@gmail.com. A panel of judges, including Mark Gane and Martha Johnson, will review all entries. Four (4) entries will be selected for the final round of the contest. The four (4) selected entries will then be voted on by fans at www.marthaandthemuffins.com the entry that receives the most votes by 11:59pm ET on Monday September 13, 2010 wins the grand prize.

Key Dates:
Contest Submission Deadline: 11:59pm ET Friday August 27 2010
Voting Commences: Wednesday September 1, 2010
Voting Closes at 11:59pm ET on Monday September 13, 2010

Grand Prize
Mark Gane and Martha Johnson of Martha and the Muffins will write and record a song based on the winning entry submitted for the 30 Years of Echo Beach contest.

For more detailed contest information please contact:
Jeremie Poirier at jeremie@popguru.ca.