On today’s date in 1989, Canadian singer Anne Murray belted the national anthems before the first game ever played at the Toronto Blue Jays’ new stadium, the SkyDome. The Jays would go on to lose 5-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers.
In 2007, Canada Post issued a 52-cent stamp (Scott 2221c) featuring Murray as part of its Canadian Recording Artists series. Printed on Tullis Russell Coatings coated paper by the Lowe-Martin Group, the multi-coloured stamp features a stylized image of Murray.
With a career spanning almost four decades, Murray is well-known in Canada. Born on June 20, 1945, in Springhill, N.S., her musical talent was apparent from childhood, and she began training in piano and vocals at a young age. Murray’s eventual success drew respect from around the world. In addition to 24 Juno Awards, her many accolades include four Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, three Country Music Association Awards, three Canadian Country Music Association Awards and an induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Juno Hall of Fame, as well as the Companion of the Order of Canada.
“I was deeply honoured to be chosen by Canada Post to grace a stamp this year,” Murray said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime acknowledgment and I’m pleased to be a part of this series.”