Music

Submitted by Don Graham

Alberta trio 100 Mile House were in Toronto for the Annual Folk Alliance International Conference held at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. Husband and wife team of native Albertan Denise McKay and transplanted Londoner Peter Stone and multi instrumentalist Scott Zubot did numerous showcases, live interviews and “meet and greets”.  I caught up with them at the very intimate Saturday afternoon showcase in the Alberta Room at the hotel.  Just a happy coincidence the name of the room happened to be the same as their home province.

There was no P.A , no stage and a packed room of very attentive music lovers, a tough gig at the best of times.  With Stone on guitar, Zubot on fiddle and mandolin and McKay playing drums on a suitcase, 100 Mile House showed why they are one of top up and coming acts to hit the scene.  The atmosphere was informal and the band showed that truly professional combination of being relaxed and polished.  The vocals were crisp and dynamic and the instrumental blend was superb. Stone’s performance of his award winning song, ”Better Still”,  was captivating and enthralling.

Submitted by Anya Wilson Promotion & Publicity

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) announced its inaugural Awards Show. The event will be held on Monday, May 27th, 2013, at Markham Theatre at 171 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario. The CMAO has confirmed that multi-award winning celebrated singer-songwriter and recording artist from the Ottawa Valley, Charlie Major, will host the awards. Major has enjoyed many #1 singles including fan favourites such as ‘I Do It For The Money” and “The Other Side.”

Charlie MajorAlso confirmed to perform at the concert and accompany the show’s performers are renowned top musicians The Western Swing Authority, a group of seasoned professionals whose bio includes multiple Canadian Country Music Awards, Juno nominations, as well has a résumé that spans from playing with Gordon Lightfoot, John Cowan. George Canyon, to Kellylee Evans.

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) is an endeavor by a number of energetic individuals in the country music industry in Ontario and is the only Country Music Association that represents Ontario as a whole.

Submitted by Michael E. Williams

On my first night in Montreal in the fall of 1974, I was walking by the  Limelight at 1254 Stanley Street and stopped because the music was thumping. The bass could be felt from 3 stories up. The sidewalk vibrated from the music that was mixed in a way I never heard before. It was great from the outside and I couldn’t imagine what it was like inside but I could not get in. The sign said the DJ was Robert Ouimet.

Later as a Communications student and DJ at Loyola in Montreal, I listened to Robert Ouimet on the radio Saturday nights with “Live from the Limelight”. Everybody followed Robert Ouimet. He put Montreal on the International music map even before he was voted Billboard’s 1977 “DJ of the Year “. He was one of the first great International DJ/Producers/Artists/Remixers/Innovators and Taste Makers. He was directly responsible for the success of Donna Summers “I Feel Love”. From Montreal, Robert Ouimet changed the face of music and the world listened.

MW: When did you get into music?
RO: I was always into music. I am from St. Jerome, just north of Montreal. I was always entertaining my friends. I was the one who was always playing the records; that’s how I started. Nobody had a chance with me!

MW: what kind of records were you playing in the beginning?
RO: I was always into soul music from the 60’s and all the early stuff that came from England, The Who and Led Zeppelin.

Submitted to Cashbox Canada

The international music community, from over 70 countries, came together in Cannes for four days of intense networking, deal-making, learning and concerts at Midem 2013.

For the core music industry attending Midem, one of the key discussion points from collecting agencies including France’s SACEM and Germany’s GEMA, to label executives such as Beggars Group founder, Martin Mills and internationally-renowned artist and musician Jean-Michel Jarre, was the on-going relationship between the music industry, the internet giants and ISPs. Other highlights of the event included keynote addresses from senior executives representing American Express, Samsung, Ford and Chinese classical pianist and cultural icon Lang Lang, discussions involving the music community and major brands such as MINI, Nike, Red Bull, Heineken and The Coca-Cola Company on how best to work together, the Midemlab start-ups and app developers competition, the expanded Midem Marketing Competition and a packed programme of Midem Festival concerts.

“Following the changes we introduced in 2012, this year we have again focused on bringing together the core music business with the key players operating in the tech field, as well as leading brands and advertising agencies and, of course, the artists who create the music that we listen to,” noted Midem Director, Bruno Crolot