There’s a lot of talk going around that there aren’t many good singers around these days, that there are not a lot of classic voices that will be remembered years from now. But after seeing some award shows and other performances of current artists doing hits from the past, I’m starting to think the problem isn’t really the singers as much as the songs. In my opinion there were a lot better songs being written back in the day but you need somebody to find those songs and get them to the artists and producers and get them recorded. There was none better at this then Bob Montgomery, the best friend a song and songwriter ever had. Working out of Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee, Bob discovered and championed countless songs and their writers as well as writing classics of his own, “Back in Baby’s Arms” for Patsy Cline and the huge crossover hit “Misty Blue”.

Allen Toussaint, the legendary songwriter, producer, arranger and performer hailed by the Grammys, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and musicians and fans worldwide as one of the most influential figures in New Orleans music, died Monday while on tour in Europe, his family confirmed. He was 77.

Toussaint was on tour in Spain and died after performing Monday. Having performed frequently in his hometown over the past several weeks, Toussaint left last Thursday on a tour that was to include stops in Madrid, Belgium and London, according to his Facebook page.

Just last week, it was announced that Toussaint and longtime friend Paul Simon would perform at a Dec. 8 benefit for New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness, a charity he helped create.

On Wednesday, November 25 music people will have a unique opportunity like no other if they attend this event at Toronto’s premiere listening venue, Musideum.

If you don’t know Paul who heads up Sanderson Law, here are a few merit points to his legal career.

• Exclusively serving clients in arts and entertainment field for over 30 years
• Consistently names ‘Most Frequently Recommended’ as an entertainment lawyer in the Canadian legal directory “LEXPERT”. www.lexpert.ca.
• Listed in the 2011 edition of “The Best Lawyers In Canada” in the practice area of Entertainment Law.
• The leading writer on legal aspects of Canadian music law and visual arts
• Author and editor of “Musicians and the Law in Canada”.
• Co-Author of “Artists’ Contracts: Agreements for Visual and Media Artists”.
• Paul Sanderson has published a new informative handbook for Canada “Music Law Handbook for Canada: 10 Essential Legal Articles (Publisher: Seraphim Editions). It is a first of its kind publication in this field.

Singer Ian Tyson recovers from open heart surgery, plans to resume dual careers as singer and rancher. Tyson is resting comfortably in a hospital near his Longview, Alberta ranch, recovering from open-heart surgery.

A blockage required an aortic valve to be replaced; the operation took place two weeks ago in Calgary’s Foothills Hospital. Tyson, impatient to get back to his ranch, is wryly amused that the replacement valve came from a cow’s heart.

He began his career in the duo Ian and Sylvia in the early ‘60s, but has long had a distinguished career as a solo artist. He released his 13th album — Carnero Vaquero — for the Edmonton-based independent roots music label Stony Plain earlier this year.

Now 82, Tyson has followed dual careers as a rancher and singer since he moved to Alberta in the early ‘80s. Songs such as “Four Strong Winds,” “Someday Soon” and “Summer Wages” established him as one of Canada’s best-known artists.

He is looking forward to a limited schedule of performances next year, and he hopes to perform at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada in January — he’s played the event every year but one since 1981.

The world has been getting smaller as the electronics world keeps growing. The phrase “live in your world play in ours” is not just those that enjoy video games but now at the E3 Conference in Los Angeles, California, Microsoft expands deeper into the music market place, television and entertainment world.

It was around a year ago when the phone rang and Marty Williams said “Belson, what’s up?”, the usual response was answered with the reply,” I have bad news for you it’s Quinn, he’s dead.”

Well, unfortunately it was true after the 3 of us and other old friends had just recently reacquainted at yet another compadre’s funeral, (Platinum Blonde) Kenny McLean. The story goes that when he couldn’t be reached his best friend from school days (and ‘roomy’ at one time) Chris Bernard discovered that “Quinn,” as he was called by his friends, had passed away.

Leaving behind his 3 beloved Siamese cats and his Gibson Guitar on his lap as he sat waiting to move on over to the other side. It is unfortunate when close friends pass on like Kenny McLean and Gary Quinn, less than 6 months apart and ironically enough, both very talented musicians.

Malcolm McLaren, the former manager of punk group the Sex Pistols, has died in Switzerland aged 64. McLaren, the ex-partner of designer Vivienne Westwood, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last October.

He set up a clothes shop and label with Westwood on London's King's Road in the 1970s and was later a businessman and performer in his own right.

The couple had a son, Joseph Corre, the co-founder of lingerie shop Agent Provocateur. His agent told the BBC that McLaren passed away on Thursday morning. Spokesman Les Malloy said the artist's family was "devastated" and "in shock" after his condition suddenly deteriorated, adding: "He had been doing very well, it's a sad day."

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Courtesy of : Dulce Barbosa dB Promotions & Publicity Inc.

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 10 PM EST/PT, NARRATED BY SARAH POLLEY

“The 40 Year Secret” tells the tale of Linda’s forced departure from Sault Ste Marie for the duration of her pregnancy and father Ray altogether banished unaware. 

Unwed and unwelcome, confused, angry and humiliated, the young teenage girl bore her daughter in secrecy at a Salvation Army home in Toronto . Like hundreds of thousands of young women of the day, Linda was compelled to give up her child, her desire to raise her daughter a non- issue, the baby put up for adoption immediately, both families good names saved.