Corey Hart's first P.E.I. concert 'out of the blue'

Canadian singer Corey Hart says he's looking forward to his performance this weekend on P.E.I. — his first show ever in the province. He hasn't played in Atlantic Canada in 26 years.

The 52-year-old singer-songwriter is opening for Shania Twain in Charlottetown Saturday night.

"It is so ironic because five days before we got the call from Shania, we were watching Anne of Green Gables, the TV series," said Hart.

It's the only province in Canada where I've never played a concert, so I thought, why not?- Corey Hart

"And we were just all talking about it and the kids were saying, 'How come we don't go? Let's go there on holiday daddy,' and then sure enough, God gave us the invitation."

He says his family will be coming to the Island with him.

Hart sold more than 15 million copies of his albums featuring chart-topping songs such as Sunglasses at Night and Never Surrender.

Thirteen years ago he took time away from touring to raise his four children.

In the intervening period, the Montreal native has been helping young musicians gain a foothold in the industry.

In June, Hart headlined what he declared was his final concert, but the invitation from Twain came "suddenly and out of the blue."

"I'd never been to P.E.I. before, I'd never been to Charlottetown. It's the only province in Canada where I've never played a concert, so I thought, 'It's a fun thing to do, so why not?'"