TORONTO - Retirement suits Anne Murray just fine, thanks.
The decorated Canadian crooner hasn't performed since spring 2008, and the following year declared that she had no desire to sing in public ever again.
So, is that still the case?
"It's even more the case now," laughed the 65-year-old over the line from Jupiter, Fla., where she spends time during the cold-weather months. "I've had a touch of the retirement and I'm playing golf three or four times a week, and doing lots of reading, and walking, and staying fit, and swimming, and I have a trainer twice a week, and I just -- I'm enjoying life.
"I'm having time for myself and watching hockey in Florida. Ah, heaven!"
The Springhill, N.S., native -- a winner of 24 Junos and four Grammys -- is now focused on her upcoming charity golf game, which will be held May 17 in Markham, Ont., and will benefit Colon Cancer Canada. She's lined up hockey legend Bobby Orr as well as CTV personalities Brian Williams and Seamus O'Regan, and says she's still soliciting more guests.
Otherwise? Her schedule is blissfully free, she says.
"I'm working on my charities and just playing some golf and having fun."
In the fall, she released the audiobook version of her '09 memoir, "All of Me," written with Michael Posner (the audio version features a reading by Murray herself).
The book charted Murray's unprecedented ascent to international pop stardom, but also delved into less comfortable topics: divorce, death and drugs.
But she says the response has been overwhelming.
"The feedback has been fantastic. It's been very, very well received. It's an easy read, it's a quick read, and it's fun, I think. People have enjoyed it.
"Michael did a great job. We worked hard together and we did nothing but for six months. So, yeah, the feedback has been great."
