News

Patti Page Turn the Page and Close the Book

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:23
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Submitted by Don Graham

Iconic American singer Patti Page has passed away at age 85. She was the best-selling female artist of the 1950s, and sold over 100 million records in her lifetime. Born Clara Ann Fowler in Claremore Oklahoma in November of 1927 she changed her name to Patti Page and made her first record in 1948 "Confess". In 1950, she had her first million-selling single "With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming", and would eventually have 14 additional million-selling singles between 1950 and 1965.

Page's signature song, "Tennessee Waltz", recorded in 1950, was one of the biggest selling singles of the time. "Tennessee Waltz" spent 13 weeks atop the charts in 1950. Page had three additional  # 1 hit singles between 1950 and 1953, with "All My Love (Bolero)", "I Went to Your Wedding", and "(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window". Her Oklahoma background may have been responsible for Page blending a little of the country style into many of her most popular songs. By doing this, many of Page's singles were successful in the country market. Page continued to have major hits into the mid-1960s with "Old Cape Cod", "Allegheny Moon", "A Poor Man's Roses (Or a Rich Man's Gold)", and "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte".

In the 1970s, Page focused her career towards country music, and she began charting on the country charts, up until 1982. Page was one of the few vocalists to have made the country charts in five separate decades.

Amy Winehouse Confirmed Cause of Death

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:21
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Submitted by Cashbox Canada

The body of Amy Winehouse was exumed and an inquest was made into her cause of death, the final confirmation is that the singer died of acute alcohol poisoning.

There was extreme controversy over whether the original coroner was qualified to determine the cause of death, so a second autopsy was ordered. The second autopsy, performed by an official coroner with more training who confirmed that Winehouse “died as a result of alcohol toxicity.” And the cause of death was officially listed as “death by misadventure”.

Coroner Shirley Radcliffe says Winehouse had five times the legal limit of alcohol in her body, something that obviously proved fatal. With that much booze in the body, a person’s nervous system is so suppressed that he or she is likely to “fall asleep and not wake up.”

We have lost so many artists over the decades to alcohol and drugs, and Amy Winehouse sadly now will join them as yet another statistic in the rock ‘n’ roll history books.

Dean Brody Announces Support Acts For The Dirt Tour 2013

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:19
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Submitted to Cashbox Canada

Dean Brody kicks off his first national headlining tour beginning January 24 in Victoria bringing Canada's brightest artists across four regions to support Brody's 26 dates. Support acts include Small Town Pistols (January 24-February 1), Bobby Wills (February 5,7,9,10), Keith and Renee (February 12-16) and Dylan Guthro (February 18-22). Tickets for The Dirt Tour 2013 are currently on sale with 11 markets including Cranbrook, Regina, Hamilton, Orillia and Fredericton already sold out. For full listings and information on the support acts, see below.

Fontella Bass of Rescue Me Fame Passes On

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:17
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Submitted by Cashbox Canada

Fontela Bass was born into a family with deep musical roots. Her mother was gospel singer Martha Bass, one of the Clara Ward Singers. Her younger brother, David Peaston, had a string of R&B hits in the 1980s and 1990s. Peaston died in February at age 54.

Fontella Bass was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and at early age Fontella showed great musical talent – at five years old she was providing the piano accompaniment for her grandmother's singing at funeral services, she was singing in her church's choir at six years old and by the time she was nine she was accompanying her mother on tours throughout the American South and Southwest.

Passages of 2012

Submitted by cashbox on Thu, 12/27/2012 - 19:56
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By Don Graham

It’s that time of year again when we take stock of all the folks in the music industry who left us in the past 12 months. We make note of their passing at the time it happens, say our condolences, write our obits and remember them fondly. But it seems it’s only when we look at the year’s end list that we realize the volume of names that appear there.  This year was no different. We lost some great folks in 2012 and the heavens are rockin’ with the sound of music.

This year, the world’s oldest teenager, Dick Clark entered Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven and what a lineup he has to work with from this years entrants.

The incredible Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse and Etta James joined the choir along with Robin Gibb, Monkee Davy Jones, Andy Williams, Major Harris of the Delfonics , Orleans lead singer Larry Hoppen, Donna Summer and Kathi Macdonald. Dave Brubeck will jam with British guitarist Big Jim Sullivan and Ravi Shankar and the Band’s Levon Helm, along with Duck Dunn or Funk Brother Bob Babbitt will be laying down the bass line. If they take a break John Stockfish ,Lightfoot’s bassman or  Bob Birch , bassist of Elton John fame can fill in with Crowded House drummer Peter Jones and Herb Reed of the Platters adding his velvet voice as will Earl “Speedo” Carroll. Just recently Mexican superstar Jenni Rivera was called home. She was there to greet 'Rescue Me' Fontella Bass as she crossed over at the last minute.

Two Sides of the Christians’ Story – The 25th Anniversary 2012

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 12/21/2012 - 11:02
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Submitted by Micheal E. Williams


When I interviewed Garry Christian, lead vocalist of The Christians he was releasing a new record, “Speed of Life”, to celebrate the bands 25th Anniversary. Talking to Garry was great but only half the story of Liverpool’s greatest Soul band. I had to talk to Henry Priestman (The Yachts, It’s Immaterial, Christians) who wrote every great song by The Christians (Forgotten Town, Born Again, Ideal World, Words). In the process he emerged as one of England’s best songwriters.  Here is what Garry said to me about Henry Priestman: “I put a lot work into the first album, in arrangements and vocals, but the actual songwriting on that album was all Henry!”


Like Garry Christian, Henry Priestman and I met on Facebook. I followed up that meeting with an interview.


MW: How did you meet the Christians?
HP: I was working in a studio (engineering), and the Christian brothers, Garry, Roger and Russell, were doing a backing vocal session on “It’s Immaterial”, my former band.  I was not writing with this band, and was getting a bit frustrated, so I asked the Christian Brothers if they fancied hearing some of my songs and would they sing on them? That started us working together.

Larry LeBlanc To Be Honoured at the 2013 Juno Awards

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 12/21/2012 - 10:56
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Submitted to Cashbox Canada

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is pleased to announce Larry LeBlanc as the recipient of the 2013 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, recognizing individuals who have made an impact on the Canadian music industry.  LeBlanc will be honoured at the 2013 JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards on Saturday, April 20 in Regina, SK.

"I'm proud to be honoured with the 2013 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award," LeBlanc says.  "Walt Grealis gave me my start as a music industry journalist at RPM Music Weekly in the '60s.  From those roots of Canadian music being a cottage enterprise, I've witnessed our domestic music industry being able to develop global superstars.  I'm appreciative to have been along for the journey."

LeBlanc has covered Canadian music for five decades.  He was Canadian bureau chief of Billboard magazine (1991-2007), the Canadian editor of Record World (1970-1980) and the co-founder of the late Canadian music trade, The Record (1981-1991).  He is currently senior writer of the weekly American entertainment trade CelebrityAccess, overseeing the authoritative profile series, "In The Hot Seat."  He also serves on the board of the Mariposa Folk Festival.

"

Michael Williams Looks at the 55th Grammy Awards

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 12/14/2012 - 00:37
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Submitted by Michael E. Williams 

It’s the Grammys! And Justin Beiber fans are disappointed because he was not nominated. Neither was Lionel Ritchie or Psy. Music worldwide is measured in sales and Grammys. Here is my look at the Grammy categories and my personal  predictions. 

Long form Video: Tegan and Sara
I hope they win. I love the work and the creativity is brave without borders. They do have the interest of the Academy and are favoured in other categories. Their competition is U-2, Sade and Mumford and Sons.

Producer of the Year: Dan Auerbach
Diplo is a favourite as is Salaam Remi for his work with Amy Winehouse. Dan Auerbach is nominated twice for the Black Keys as well as Dr. John. He is my pick in this category. It could be a Black Keys Night. But Dr. John is near perfect and the production captures it perfectly. The Doctor could be in!

Best Historical Album: The Smile Sessions (Deluxe Box Set)
Mad creativity, persistence and genius must be honoured when it works and this worked the way the composer finally wanted it to be heard. Bravo Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. I admit “Surf’s Up” is one of those songs that will always get my vote!

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: The Goat Rodeo Sessions
I saw this group on TV, they were great fun. I hope they win!

Best Rock Album: Wrecking Ball
Bruce has only this one chance for a Grammy so I hope he takes it home.

Ravi Shankar Dies at 92

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 12/14/2012 - 00:29
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Submitted by Don Graham

Ravi Shankar, musician, composer and India’s best-known contemporary musician passed away this week in San Diego California. These days, Shankar is perhaps best known as the father of singing star Norah Jones but in the 1960’s, he was responsible for bringing Eastern music to the West through his relationship with the Beatles and George Harrison. He brought the mystical sound to the Liverpool band’s Sgt. Pepper album with Harrison playing a sitar on “Within You, Without You. “ Stunning performances at Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and Woodstock Festival  in 1969 cemented Shankar's place in Western musical history and allowed him to become an ambassador of Eastern wisdom to a generation that was searching for new values. Brian Jones used a sitar on the Rolling Stones classic “Paint It Black.”

The sitar is a remarkable instrument, intricately made and has a unique and ethereal sound. I actually saw one in the 60’s when guitar player and producer Bill Hill of Chestnut Tree Productions acquired one in a swap with a fan. “ I was playing  with a Fender Showman with 2 15” JBL speakers when a fan came to me and asked if I wanted to buy a sitar. His dad was in the merchant navy and had brought it back from India. I wasn’t sure I wanted to buy it but he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. He offered me the sitar for one of my 15” JBLs. At the the end of the gig I extracted the speaker and made the trade. Beautiful instrument, real ivory, gorgeous wood and ambient sound.”

Krysta Scoggins Wants You To Make a Wish

Submitted by cashbox on Fri, 12/14/2012 - 00:26
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Submitted by Don Graham

Country cutie Krysta Scoggins is busier than Santa’s elves this time of year ! There’s the Blush Girls Grand Ole Country Christmas shows, with Blush girls Stacie Roper and Melanie Switser and her nomination for Female Artist of the Year at the Alberta Country Music Association Awards. The 2nd Annual Awards event will be held on January 27th in Red Deer, Alberta. Then there’s her skyrocketing recording career, her family at home in Spruce Grove and an upcomimg radio tour. Busy girl.

And this time of year also allows Krysta to focus on helping the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A charity that is very close to Krysta and her family’s heart, as her little cousin Brady Scoggins passed away from complications of CFC Syndrome. Krysta is the Executive Producer of the benefit concert.

“The Grand Ole Country Christmas” is now celebrating its 10th year and Krysta is also an Ambassador for the Annual Brady Scoggins Memorial Celebrity Golf Tournament, with proceeds from both events being donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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