Features

Bill King: Sharps, Flats and a Camera Lens

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 04/18/2013 - 19:32
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Submitted by Don Graham

Bill King, a native of Indiana, a resident of Toronto and a Citizen of the World  is an artist in every sense of the word. An accomplished pianist and record producer, King also adds photographer to his repertoire.

Bill has been playing piano since he was a child and has fond memories of his grandmother’s house in Indiana where there was an upright piano and she would play spiritual music. At thirteen years old his father decided it was time for Bill to take some piano lessons.  At 17 years old he sent a tape of the trio he had with his brother to The Advanced School of Contemporary Music,  Oscar Peterson’s school in Toronto Canada,  and was awarded a scholarship. He  returned to Indiana and discovered rock  ‘n’  roll music.  “I got interested in rock and roll cause I was interested in the production of the music and also the rhythm that was going on. There was something changing rhythmically that I was interested in.”

When single acts would come to town Bill would be hired to “lift” the songs and arrangements from the records and teach the songs to the band so they could back up the stars. The Dick Clark Caravan of Stars proved a great training ground for the young and eager to learn musician.  Living close to the Kentucky border enabled Bill to listen to a radio station out of Louisville at night and this was his introduction to the black music of the day.

Willi Williams, The Clash, Big Sugar and The Herb Alpert Connection

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 23:48
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Submitted by Michael Williams

Willi Williams and I met at P&D’s uptown at Jane and Finch; the cook had been stabbed a week after he performed. You see, MuchMusic would send me to the best and worse places for a story that frequently ended up in lifelong friendships with the subjects of my interviews. And this time, it was in a warzone where shootings and stabbings happened on a regular basis. The promoter was Merdella Clarke, the show was the great Willi Williams from Studio One in Jamaica, the legendary recording studio built by Deadly Hedley Jones Sr. who introduced reggae music to the world before Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Willi Williams’ place in reggae history is cemented by his voice which influenced many and whose songs inspired the likes of The Clash. A Willi Williams song would be their first hit single in the U.K. and started their career. His song that The Clash recorded, Armagideon Time, is to reggae what the Funky Drummer is to hip hop.  It is a foundation song and Willi Williams is one of the founding fathers of reggae. He resides in Pickering, Ontario, and has lived there for many years, influencing younger musicians. One of those musicians he influenced greatly was Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar. Musically, the first time you heard them together was on the Hit and Run CD, (live medley). I talked to Gordie Johnson from Austin, Texas about how he met Willi Williams.

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) Announces Inaugural Award Nominees

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 22:43
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Submitted by Cashbox Canada

Photo Credits: Robin Leblanc

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) held a press conference in Toronto on April 9, 2013 to announce the nominees for the Inaugural CMAO Award Show to be held on May 27 2013 at the prestigious Markham Theatre(Markham,Ontario). This is the first for this Association, which was formed over four years ago by veteran music industry folks, who believed there was so much country music talent in Ontario, that they needed their own association.

The eligibility for a nominee was:
1. For a group or duo at least 50% of the members must meet the Ontario residency requirement.
2. Must be a business that is operating in the province of Ontario.
3. To be considered an Ontario resident by the CMAO, the artist must have been born in the province of Ontario; OR maintained a permanent resident in the province of Ontario for a period of two consecutive years.
4. Artists have one recording that was commercially released between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2012.

The category eligibilities was:
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
This Award is based upon individual performance, either on record or in person within the eligibility period. One Award is presented to the Artist. The artist must meet the residency eligibility criteria and have a commercially released recording that was released between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2012.

Buddy’s Back in Town – The Buddy Holly Story in Toronto

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 15:31
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Submitted by Sandy Graham

The incredible legacy of the young man with glasses, whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period during the golden days of rock ‘n’ roll, continues to live on in the musical tribute to his life – The Buddy Holly Story.

The Day the Music Died, dubbed so by Don McLean's song "American Pie", was an aviation accident that occurred on February 3, 1959, near Clear Lake, Iowa, killing rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, and the pilot, Roger Peterson. After terminating his partnership with The Crickets, Buddy Holly assembled a new band consisting of Waylon Jennings, Tommy Allsup, and Carl Bunch, to play on the '"Winter Dance Party" tour. The tour also featured rising artist Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), who were promoting their own recordings as well. The tour was to cover 24 Midwestern cities in three weeks.

Paul Sanderson Guitar Case, Brief Case, Law Case Celebrating 30 Years

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 15:11
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Submitted by Sandy Graham

The calm, quiet voice of Paul Sanderson doesn’t sound like he is even close to 30 years old, let alone having been in the law business for that long. But it has been 30 years on April 07, 2013, that this multi-faceted man has been practising arts and entertainment law. The name Paul Sanderson is a familiar one with most of us in the music world who would have required an entertainment lawyer at one point in our careers. Quite a celebration and a test of time, in a business that is known for its lack of tenacity and longevity.

For those who do not know, Sanderson is also a talented musician, writer and photographer. Born in Toronto and raised in the east end of Toronto and Scarborough, he went to school where it is rumored that another famous Canadian, Robbie Robertson also attended (John A. Leslie Public School).  He came from a solid family background, although there was not much trace of music or law in the family. “My mother actually had me take classical piano lessons at the age of 7, but my real interest became guitar at a very early age. I am self taught and credit the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana for inspiring me to learn my first riffs. The 50’s and 60’s were a wonderful time to grow up; there was a sense of optimism, and our parents wanted more for us than they had in their era.”

Hard Day’s No Nights CMW 31

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 03/28/2013 - 11:52
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Submitted by Michael E. Williams

It’s a wrap for another Canadian Music Week (CMW). This year was number 31. CMW has just gotten better year after year.

CMW was broken into segments including Digital/Social Media, Live Touring, Songwriting and Publishing, Film Festival, Comedy Festival, Live Music and International Market Place (our own emerging  Midem - a great feature). Through International Market Place (IMP), Canadian artists had access to promoters, labels and night clubs from around the world. This year’s spotlight was on Korea, The Nordic Regions, Australia and Japan. Deals were signed and dates were booked.

I attended each day of CMW 31. I skipped the radio presentations in favor of the digital and social media panels because, other than live touring, this is where music is now. Live music was covered brilliantly in the Film Festival premiere of Ron Chapman’s Concert Documentary “Who the Fuck is Arthur Fogel?” It is the ultimate insider’s behind the scene concert film. So, who is Arthur Fogel? The Chairman of Global Music and the CEO of Global Touring for industry giant, Live Nation. His career spans three decades and includes promoting or producing 11 of the top 15 tours in history. In this film, viewers go ‘’behind the scenes’’ at live concerts by The Police, U2 and Madonna. Arthur Fogel changed the face of live music globally. It is a ‘’must see’’ for anyone considering getting into the music business. And, Arthur Fogel, is Canadian!

Canadian Music Week Keeps Up With the Changing Times!

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 03/28/2013 - 11:48
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Submitted by Sandy Graham

The move from the Fairmount Royal York location to the Marriott Eaton’s Centre Hotel was surrounded by talk; is the event getting smaller? Is it because of the construction on Front Street? Are there less attendees this year? None of the above.

Quite frankly, when checking in, I had my doubts, trying to maneuver my way in through the doors to Registration, down a skinny hallway made me wonder what the rest of the event would be like. It was nothing short of amazing. I personally feel the move to the Marriott location gave the whole event a new feeling and breathed life into the whole thing. Where the Fairmount was old and staid, The Marriott was slick and modern, with many pockets to mingle in the restaurant, lobby and bar. The IMP room (International Market Place) was hopping every day, with quick change arounds of speed meetings to cocktail receptions, where food and service were 5 star, and the international deals were going on non-stop. Many of the international activities were presented or sponsored by the OMDC (Ontario Media Development Corporation) who have supported CMW for more than a decade.

Special kudos to Manager of the International Market Place Kathy Hahn, Mark Smith and the rest of the team.

CMW 2013 The Joint Was Jumpin’!

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 03/28/2013 - 11:37
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Submitted by Don Graham

Canadian Music Week aka Canadian Music Old Home Week is over and done with for another year. This year was special. A new venue added some spice to the event and I think made it even more exciting and interesting than the Royal York years. The choice of The Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel was great. Don’t get me wrong The Royal York is a beautiful hotel but the Marriott because of it’s layout made it more interesting. At the Royal York you can stand on the mezzanine and look down over the entire lobby, pretty much seeing everyone that is there. The way the Marriott was set up was that the  events were taking place in different corners of different levels of the Hotel. Every time you went into a different room you saw different people for the first time. The International Market Place, masterfully managed by workhorse and International music tradeshow guru Kathy Hahn and maintained perfectly  by music industry veteran, Mark Smith, was located strategically behind some doors and off the lobby. The lobby was the main mingling area and was the best place to see the fluid traffic and meet up with old colleagues and meet the newcomers as well. The cool thing about his annual gathering is the meeting of guitar cases and briefcases. interaction of the young and the old.

Canadian Music Fest=In the Land of a Thousand Dreams

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 03/28/2013 - 11:29
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Story:Lenny Stoute, Michelle Kaye, James Lizzard
Photo: Trent Severn

‘Twas the year of the drummers in particular and a stepping up of the musicianship in general. We can say this with a clear conscience, since as always, we passed on the star attractions in favour of the lesser known hungry hearts.

And what a glorious firestorm of youth in anguish and exhilaration that turned out to be. First inkling the drum thing was afoot came at the Drake. First act we caught was the dynamic duo Mad Ones, being Andrew Devilliers on guitars and drummer Phil Wilson. The sweaty pair put out a contrapuntal din so scalding and full of garage rock swagger, you just know they’d never got on a White Stripes bill.

Dammed if the next act wasn’t another drumbastic duo, PS I Love You, who are Paul Saulnier on guitar and Benjamin Nelson on drums, going down a rock’n’roll road all their own. The dynamic here’s a little diff, with singer/guitarist Saulnier in charge of the theatrics while Nelson’s busy laying down massive and supple sonic foundations, a la Nirvana era Dave Grohl. While they have the dynamics down, the songwriting is sketchy in places. When they get it right, as with  “Sentimental Dishes”, it’s brilliant, and includes Saulnier referencing Paul James by playing guitar behid his head.

J.P. Cormier releases “Somewhere in the Back of My Heart”

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 03/21/2013 - 00:43
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J.P. Cormier appears from the shadows at the side of the stage—an unsmiling mountain of a man in dark glasses—and stalks almost angrily to his seat in the spotlight. He picks up his instrument, adjusts his mic stand and asks the audience: “How’re ya now?” in a rumbling baritone.

Then he starts to tell his story.

His lyrics and melodies elicit every emotion you can muster as he paints picture after picture of loves lost, towns disbanded, fishermen killed by their trade and the most important moments of his own life. His voice is surprisingly sweet and soft-sounding, completely unexpected coming from his 6’4” frame.

He begins an instrumental on one of the five or six instruments he may have on stage with him and you realize that this man is not just a singer or a songwriter. As his fingers fly, with such speed and precision, upon each instrument in turn, you get another picture—one of pure joy and boundless energy; total spiritual abandon bordering in its execution on genius. It’s a word that is used to describe him again and again.

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