Loretta Lynn – The Coal Mine Daughter’s Goes Home

Fri Oct 07, 2022

From Butcher Holler to the Grand Ole Opry to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Loretta has completed her earthly journey. Lynn passed away at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, on October 4th, 2022.

Born Loretta Webb in a one-room rural Kentucky cabin in 1932, Lynn was one of eight siblings and the daughter of a coal miner – a fact that led to her signature song, 1970’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. Loretta got her first guitar in 1953 and started a band with her brother Jay Lee, Loretta and the Trailblazers. She began writing her own songs and her debut single, I’m a Honky-Tonk Girl, was released in 1960. She and Oliver marketed the single by themselves driving from one country radio station to another. “Because we were too poor to stay in hotels, we slept in the car and ate baloney and cheese sandwiches in the parks … we were on the road three months.” The song was a success, reaching the Country Top 20, and led to her being signed by a major label, Decca.

Dean Brody “Where’d You Learn How To Do That?”

Fri Sep 30, 2022

Dean BrodyIconic Canadian entertainer Dean Brody is closing out the biggest summer of his career by earning his eighth #1 at Canadian country radio on the BDS Country Chart with “Where’d You Learn How to Do That.” This monumental spot at the top of the charts follows-up Brody’s recent headlining show at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage.

“Big love and thanks to all my fans and country radio for this,” shared Brody when learning of his #1. “I’m so happy I get to make music for you all. What a year it has been!”

Bonnie Raitt Releases New Product and..”Just Like That”

Fri Sep 23, 2022

Raised in Los Angeles in a climate of respect for the arts, Quaker traditions, and a commitment to social activism. A Stella guitar given to her as a Christmas present launched Bonnie on her creative journey at the age of eight. While growing up, though passionate about music from the start, she never considered that it would play a greater role than as one of her many growing interests.

With Just Like That…, her twenty-first album and her first new release in more than six years, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bonnie Raitt continues to draw on the range of influences that have shaped her legendary career, while creating something that speaks to the circumstances and challenges of these unprecedented times.

The title comes from a line in one of her new original songs (“Just like that your life can change”), which seemed especially fitting “because there’s never been a time that made me look around and say, ‘Nobody saw this coming’—where all of a sudden, everything shifted.”

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils Mark their 50th Anniversary with New Time Life Release

Fri Sep 16, 2022

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils continue their yearlong 50th anniversary celebration with a new partnership with Time Life. The new deal kicks off today with the digital reissue of two albums, “Off the Beaten Path” and “Heaven 20/20,” which includes an updated version of their signature song, “If You Wanna Get to Heaven.” Fans can now listen to both albums on all major streaming services such as Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music. The band will reissue additional albums via Time Life over the next few months.

Bara Jonson and Free is declaring that the Sky is The Limit

Fri Sep 02, 2022

They call their music Crockpop (Country/Rock/Pop).

After just having released their single ‘Bus Stop (waiting for a train)’ this dynamic duo is at it again. A new uplifting song about moving forward, never to let anyone else put you down or deter you from what you want to achieve.

With the stubbornness of a fool, with the synergy of these two and the belief that anything is possible, they now invite you to board their Crockpop train where Sky Is The Limit. This is also their title track for the upcoming album to be released this fall.

Check out Sky is the Limit on YouTube here:

Cashbox Then and Now – Celebrating 80 years In the Music Business

Fri Aug 19, 2022

Cashbox, also known as Cash Box, debuted as a music industry trade magazine originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Bill Gersh created Cashbox in 1942, then George Albert came along in the late 1950's and took over.Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and now continues as Cashbox Magazine in the US as a print magazine, and here in Canada as Cashbox Canada.

Mastering the Music Business One of Europe’s Most Important Festival Returns September 6-8, 2022

Fri Aug 12, 2022

6 to 8 of September is Mastering the Music Business (MMB) will once again taking place in Bucharest, Romania. This is the 7th edition of the festival; last year MMB was one of the first to manage to have their festival live post-COVID, albeit a bit smaller and with more digital content.  It was very successful, so the expectations are high this year when they return in full force.

MMB is getting more and more important among the showcase festivals in Europe. Still midsize but their network has been steadily growing, so the speakers are now really top quality.

For a full list of Speakers and Experts visit:
masteringthemusicbusiness.ro/speakers

Also, the festival has set a light on the Romanian music scene and now Romanian artists are picking up speed getting their music outside Romania. In addition, talent has been invited from various parts of the globe.

Welcome to Norrköping Music Day and Lilla By Festivalen

Fri Aug 05, 2022

Two new festivals are happening in Sweden during one weekend in August. Or they are both on their second year but are both creations from the pandemic and COVID.

25 of August is Norrköping Music Day in Norrköping, Sweden. It was invented during Covid last year and is a smaller version of Future Echoes that takes place in February 2023.  Norrköping Music Day was last year two days and had 20 acts on two stages. This year it’s one day with 4 acts and 10 speakers on 4 panels. The purpose of Norrköping Music Day which is a free event is to teach and inform how a showcase festival works. Here you can easy start a network and learn what is important to do on a showcase festival. Talent Line-up TBD.

Legendary Band Spoons & Guests Team Up with Award-Winning Broadcaster Ted Michaels Team for Mental Health Fundraiser

Fri Jul 29, 2022

In 1980, an intrepid young band from Burlington made "Spoons" a different kind of household word… The Spoons — still featuring the original members Gord Deppe and Sandy Horne — made their mark with hits including "Nova Heart," "Romantic Traffic," "Old Emotions," and "Tell No Lies,” their album Arias & Symphonies would be named one of the 20 Most Influential Albums of the 80s by the Chart Magazine.

Watch Romantic Traffic Spoons here:

Now The Spoons are coming home to the Burlington Performing Arts Center to help in the fight against mental health stigma by taking part in ‘The Long Road Back.’ Presented by award-winning broadcaster Ted Michaels and Titan Productions, the event will take place Wednesday, September 28th in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Halton Region Branch.

Americana Rocker Marshall Potts Strives For Healing on Hit New Single “Heaven Or Home”

Fri Jul 22, 2022

Finding a home inside oneself is never an easy task, and making that home inhabitable, much less a heaven, is even harder. Yet Canadian Americana rocker Marshall Potts is up to the task of trying in his thunderous new single “Heaven Or Home” from his album The Storm – watch and listen on YouTube here:

With lush guitars and a roaring stadium sound, “Heaven Or Home” is about an inward journey of intense self-discovery:
Follow your heart it will lead you there
Take a trip inside
Take this time to become aware
Take this time to decide

Legendary Artist Myles Goodwyn Releases Solo Album “Long Pants”

Fri Jul 15, 2022

A true artist must create. It's not just a desire it's a must. It's their oxygen, their life blood, it's their raison d'être. Canadian icon Myles Goodwyn has written enough hits and memorable songs in his career to be able to sit back and look at his body of work and take a well- deserved rest. He's written enough songs to make him Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame worthy and it's surprising that he hasn't been recognized by the Hall as of yet. 

But Goodwyn continues to write, record and tour with his band, April Wine, his blues group and his acoustic trio show, Just Between You and Me, and now a brand new solo album, 'Long Pants', has just dropped, no pun intended, and it's a gem. It's a little different from what you've heard before from Goodwyn, a side of him that will appeal to his current fans and garner this legendary icon a whole new audience.

Chicago Feeling Stronger Every Day with the Release of New Single, “If This is Goodbye”

Fri Jul 08, 2022

Cover Photo Credit: WLPearce.com

The American band Chicago was formed in ChicagoIllinois, in 1967. The group was initially billed as The Big Thing before calling themselves the Chicago Transit Authority in 1968, and then shortening the name in 1969. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" blended elements of classical musicjazzR&B, and pop music. They produced numerous top-40 hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and continue to record and perform live, most recently setting out on a tour this summer that will also include Al Jardine of Beach Boys fame.

Michelle Wright Small Town

Fri Jul 01, 2022

Michelle Wright is celebrating the 30th anniversary of her debut album, Now And Then on the Arista label, which produced a total of six singles including "One Time Around," "Guitar Talk," "He Would Be Sixteen," and the song career changing hit changed everything, "Take It Like a Man." 

Released in February of 1992, Take It Like A Man made Michelle the first Canadian‐born artist to have a Top Ten hit in the U.S. a #1 video on CMT‐USA and the first Canadian to win a major U.S. music industry award winning the Academy of Country Music Top New Female Vocalist award in 1992. Michelle's career skyrocketed with the success of “Take It Like a Man” as she garnered a total of twelve music industry awards, including the 1993 Canadian Country Music Association's Fans' Choice Entertainer Of The Year award and double platinum awards for Now & Then the same year. Her success opened the door and started a path for Canadian country music artists, male female. Kind of fitting for a girl born on July 1st, Canada Day.

Massey Hall A Place For The People

Fri Jun 24, 2022

Author David McPherson has published a ‘must have’ book on Toronto's venerable queen of live music venues, Massey Hall, filled with history, artists quotes and amazing photographs.

Massey Hall is likened to New York City's Carnegie Hall and as Canadian legend Murray Laughlin is quoted as saying "Massey Hall is hallowed ground. It has the vibes of the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville."

Author David McPherson
Author David McPherson

Hart Massey of Toronto wanted to build an entertainment house for secular music, one where people could see and hear music that was secular and popular at the time. There were lots of churches where religious music and hymns could be heard but he wanted somewhere that ordinary citizen could hear music at an affordable price, a "place for the people." The building would honour his late son Charles who loved music. 

Michael Bolton and Kenny G Are RESTORING HOPE at Roy Thomson Hall June 20

Fri Jun 17, 2022

Due to the pandemic, it’s been three years since Chai Lifeline Canada brought the community together for an evening in support of its work dedicated to easing the well-being of children and their families facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses; families that struggled more than ever as COVID-19 compounded their multitude of existing challenges.

That soon changes as Chai Lifeline Canada Executive Director Mordechai Rothman, Youth Ambassador Jess Rosenbloom, Event Chair Michelle Goldstein Zaldin and a passionate team of event organizers welcome Kenny G, Michael Bolton, and more to Roy Thomson Hall this Monday, June 20th, 2022.

The Restoring Hope: An Evening of Songs and Strength Benefit Concert will feature the long-lauded award-winning music legends alongside Rosenbloom — set to share her story of strength and bravery in the face of pediatric cancer.

NXNE Takes Over Toronto’s Best Music Venues June 14-19

Fri Jun 10, 2022

North by Northeast (NXNE) Canada’s most important festival of emerging music returns this June 14 – 19 with over 300 of the world’s best new bands in more than 20 of Toronto’s top live music venues.

NXNE is a legendary annual music festival held every June across downtown Toronto since 1995 — until recently. NXNE festival celebrates community and new music with showcases, panels, parties, and more.

Toronto has one of the greatest live music scenes in the world and NXNE works with the city’s remarkable music venues to showcase top emerging Canadian and international acts throughout Festival Week. The Festival also features secret shows by top artists.

Discovery is at the core of NXNE and artists including: Billy Talent, The Arkells, Daniel Caesar, Feist, the Weeknd, Sam Roberts, Knaan, Lizzo, the Lumineers and thousands more all played intimate, NXNE gigs early in their careers.

Ronnie Hawkins The Hawk Is On The Wing

Fri Jun 03, 2022

On Sunday May 29th, 2022 at 11:25 AM Ronnie Hawkins left this world but he didn't leave it anywhere near the way he found it, especially up here in Canada. Ronnie's influence on the Canadian music scene cannot be overstated since leaving his native Arkansas and coming here in 1958. When he arrived he joked that all we had in Canada was "Hank Snow and Wayne and Shuster."

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Pay A Royal Tribute With New Album Dirt Does Dylan

Fri May 27, 2022

It’s been a few years since Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna paid $4 to see Bob Dylan play at his high school auditorium in Long Beach, California, but the fire lit inside of Hanna that night still burns as strong as ever. Hanna and his Dirt Band bandmates have had quite a career of their own since then, introducing folk, bluegrass, and country music—what would later be termed “Americana”—to a whole new generation of fans. Their latest effort, however, is a full-circle return with Dirt Does Dylan, a ten-track album highlighting some of the gems from Dylan’s vast catalog with the help of three new band members: fiddle specialist Ross Holmes; singer-songwriter and bass player Jim Photoglo (who wrote one of the Dirt Band’s biggest hits, “Fishin’ in the Dark”); and Dirt Band founder Jeff Hanna’s son, the absurdly talented singer and guitarist Jaime Hanna.

Neill Dixon Celebrates 40 Years of Canadian Music Week

Fri May 20, 2022

Canadian Music Week began in 1982 and has grown to become one of Canada's largest and most influential media and music conferences. It draws top industry professionals to participate in a four-day program of activities.

Designed to stimulate the exchange of ideas and increase dialogue while providing networking opportunities, Canadian Music Week continues to present the ideal platform for more than 3,000 national and international delegates.

CMW is the single longest running multi-day Canadian music and media event. It manages to consistently bring together music industry professionals from around the world for the week's events – combining conferences, award shows and one of Canada's biggest "New Music" festivals.

Throughout the duration of the event, performers put on shows at venues ranging from popular bars and halls, to intimate cafes. Many emerging new bands use the festival as an opportunity to be spotted by the A&R representatives who are around in greater than average numbers during the event. CMW has now also evolved into a meeting place for festival buyers from around the globe to seek out and find new talent.

Susan Aglukark Reveals a Lesson in Belonging and Beyond with “The Crossing”

Fri May 13, 2022

Multi-JUNO Award-winning Inuk singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark reveals a lesson in belonging and beyond with the release of her new album, The Crossing.

We caught up with Susan at her home in Ontario, Canada, and the passion you hear in her songs are just as much a part of her personality as her musical offerings.

“I grew up in a musical environment which is where all my musical influences started for me. My parents were heavily involved in our community, with my Dad, David Aglukark being the Church Pastor (and a singer/songwriter in his own right) and my Mom, Dorothy Aglukark was an active Community leader, they were the first ministers in our area. So music was a major part of those growing up years for me,” she explains.