Last seen as rocker bohemian Oz in We Will Rock You, McNeil will soon tour across Canada with David Usher

Suzie McNeil is looking forward to performing at the Algonquin Theatre in more ways than one.

In addition to showcasing her debut CD Broken and Beautiful, which was released in April, a trip to Huntsville also means a visit with her family.

“I haven’t been able to get up as much as I would’ve liked. I’ve been so busy. I keep thinking I’ll take a vacation there, but I never have the time.”

McNeil is the daughter of Robin McNeil, who with his wife Carol Parrott has lived in Huntsville for the past six years and operated Foxwood Resort on Lake of Bays for 10 years before that. She has two half- siblings, Sarah 15, a Huntsville High School student, and Andrew, 13, who attends Riverside Public School.

McNeil is no stranger to the area. At one time she worked as a staff member and then as manager at Foxwood during the period her family owned it.

Although unable to visit her family, her family has at least been able to visit her.

“They came to see me in We Will Rock You and they also came for the shooting of a video in Ottawa. The prime minister’s wife and kids were there too. It was magical. Very cool,” said McNeil.

The video, which was shot at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, features McNeil and a song titled Believe from her CD, which has been the promotional theme for the hit NBC weight-loss reality show The Biggest Loser.

“Believe is being used as a ramp-up to the 2010 Olympics. It’s being sponsored by Bell Canada and will be used in conjunction with the fundraiser On The Podium which is trying to get extra training for Canadian Olympic athletes,” McNeil explained.

“The song is a call for action. It has been remixed from the CD and it sounds and looks wonderful.” The video will be launched on Sept. 17, followed by a cross-country launch to raise awareness for On The Podium.

Believe will be featured in McNeil’s Aug. 29 show, along with other songs from her CD and music that profiles her journey from 2005’s RockStar: INXS, of which she was one of the top four finalists, her tour as back-up singer with Pink, to her stint as Rocker Bohemian Oz in We Will Rock You.

McNeil has spent recent weeks playing at music festivals across Ontario with her band.

“It’s been good. It’s the first time the band has been together and it’s worked well,” she said.

After Huntsville, McNeil takes her show to Sudbury and then to Beachfest in Toronto. In October she begins a Canada-wide tour with British-born rock singer/songwriter David Usher.

“Then I will headline in the new year,” she said.

McNeil has played the Algonquin Theatre once before. Some may remember her as Agnetha, the blonde-haired lead singer with the ABBA tribute group which performed here about two years ago.

It was Rockstar: INXS show host Dave Navarro who gave McNeil the moniker Sweet Suzie McNeil. The show got her the chance to work with some music industry legends, including A&R guru John Kalodner (the man responsible for superstars Peter Gabriel, Foreigner, and Aerosmith) and A List producer Marti Fredericksen (Mick Jagger, Aerosmith, Faith Hill).

Broken and Beautiful was recorded at Poppy Studios in Monrovia, California, produced by Frederiksen, and features McNeil working with a number of songwriters, among them Kara DioGuardi, Santana, Christina Aguilera, Pussycat Dolls, Johnny Reznick and Pink.

“Recording the album was a life-changing experience,” said McNeil. “I really feel like I walked out of the studio with something for everybody. It was such a joy to work with all these talented people and now I have to make good.”

Despite a heavy work schedule, McNeil took time out last November to perform for NATO troops. Included on the tour were Ty Taylor and Deanna Johnston, two of her buddies from Rock Star: INXS.

Over the past 10 years McNeil has compiled an impressive record of musical accomplishments. She has evolved into a versatile, powerful artist who combines a magnetic stage presence with vocal and multi-instrumental (piano, guitar, and harmonica) ability.

She has started to write for her next CD and has just signed on with a new management company, Union Entertainment Group. “The (Broken and Beautiful) CD was just released in Canada, so we are working together on getting it released in the United States,” she said.

Another item on McNeil’s ‘to do’ list includes sitting in the audience of We Will Rock You.

“I can’t wait to see it. I’ve only ever been in it,” she said.

McNeil brings her band and special style of music to the Algonquin Theatre for one performance only on Aug. 29.

Tickets are $28, plus GST and are now on sale at the Algonquin Theatre box office on Main Street, by calling 789-4975, or online at www.algonquintheatre.ca.

 For more information visit www.suziemcneil.ca or myspace.com/suziemcneilmusic.