Vancouver Island/Nashville  based country star  Sean Hogan has a  lot on his mind these days— a new CD, a new hit single and most importantly raising money for Haiti. He wants to make sure people don’t for get about the  quarter of a million people killed in  the devastating earthquake which struck the island in January.
“ That’s Lethbridge times three — dead and another million displaced. And they don’t have the tax base to help them. So they’re counting on richer countries to help,” Hogan said adding the news inspired him to organize and perform in a series of shows  — Country for a Country in Need across Canada, which will raise money for the Red Cross to use to help  the Haitian people. The Lethbridge show, May 21, features Duane Steele, local talent Alyssa McQuaid plus Trevor Panczac and Rough Stock and of course Hogan.
“I was running on Vancouver Island when I keep seeing  messages to text to send $10  to Haiti, and  I thought there’s got to be more I can do than that,” he said emphasizing he isn’t getting paid for his performances. All of the money raised from these concerts goes directly  to the Red Cross.
Hogan  feels blessed with the success he has experienced in Canada, which has included  a 1997  CCMA Independent  Male Artist of the Year Award,  and two West Coast  Music Awards for best Country  Album of the year.
“They also had floods in Nashville, but I don’t want Haiti to fly beneath the radar. They are going to need help for a long time. I’ve had a lot of favourable accolades in Canada, so I feel it’s my responsibility  to help out those who need help, any way I can,” he said.
The series has started with shows in Timmins (which featured Kim Mitchell) and in Sudbury, which he hoped would have been more successful.
“So far they haven’t been bad, though I  would have thought there would have been more support. I don’t know what to expect out west,” he continued adding in addition to Lethbridge, the tour is also going to Olds on May 18, Cranbrook on May 20 and Summerland on May 26.
He has 17 videos being played on CMT including hit singles ‘Angeline,’ ‘Catalina Sunrise,’ ‘Centred,’ ‘Tired of Leaving,’ and  ‘A Cowboy’s Heart.’
The last song , ‘A Cowboy’s Heart’ even includes a line about Lethbridge,’  underlying  his southern Alberta roots which include his mother in law and one of his  sisters- in- law calling Lethbridge home.
“Not many people have  a top 20 hit with Lethbridge in it, but I do,” he said adding the last time he played here was in 2004 or 2005  at the Yates Centre as well, for his annual Christmas tour fund-raiser, which raised $1,200 for the Lethbridge Food Bank.
“I’ll be playing some of my hits and some new material  from a new CD I have coming out soon and Duane Steele will be playing his hits and he has a new CD out. And there is Alyssa McQuaid and Trevor Panczac as well. It’s going to be at least two hours of music,” he continued adding Duane Steele has also performed on Hogan’s Christmas tour.
He has a new hit about his second daughter currently shooting up the charts.
The show begins at 8 p.m., May 21 at the Yates Centre. Tickets  cost $ 31.50 for adults, $26.50 for seniors and $16.50 for students. They are available at the Ticket Centre,