Canada’s Walk of Fame 2022

Fri Dec 09 2022
Grammy Award Winner Glenn Lewis and Jully Black

Photographer/Videographer: Nik Varlamov

The 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame inductee ceremony was held at Toronto’s Beanfield Centre on Saturday December 3, 2022, welcoming over 700 guests. The show celebrated Canada’s newest inductees to the Walk of Fame, including Tatiana Maslany, Deborah Cox, and The Tragically Hip to name a few. The show will air on December 17, 2022 on CTV.

Chris Birkett Releases Holiday Song “Hear The Angels Sing”

Fri Dec 02 2022
Chris Birkett & the  West Plains United Church Choir

In the 1990s Chris Birkett was working around the clock as the UK’s go-to-producer/engineer working on legendary projects, such as Sinead O’Connor’s album I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got, that featured the massive hit single, Nothing Compares 2 U. With artists and labels taking most of his time Birkett had little to spare for his two young children.

Feeling he was missing key moments in their life, the Toronto-based renaissance artist reflects on the importance of work-life balance with his heartwarming new single “Hear The Angels Sing.” Birkett wrote the opening lyrics late one night as his career was taking shape.

Why does it take all of my time,
To go out there and be someone?
There’s nothing left at the end of the line
Nothing left for the ones that you love.

“It’s a question and sentiment people are feeling today” says Birkett. “The music and lyrics of Hear the Angels Sing are an example of angelic gifts, especially during the holiday season.”

Time for a Change

Fri Dec 02 2022
Peter Åstedt

Every ten years some bigger things seem to rock the music industry. Around 1990 it was the passing of vinyl and cassettes to CDs. CDs then became a household item and yes the record labels just competed to make reissues of the old vinyl catalogues.

2000 came with the MP3 becoming a household thing. Napster was the new thing to spread music and the gateway into the digital world. The money that the record labels earned on the reissue catalogues were lost and it put the record labels in crisis.

2010 was around the launch of Spotify and everything that we now have with ] our music online. Here come the playlists and new consumer behavior to listen to just the tracks they like and change songs much faster.

Toronto-Based Jazz Duo Alex Bird and Ewen Farncombe Explore Shades of Brooding on Stormy Album Songwriter

Fri Dec 02 2022
Alex Bird and Ewen Farncombe

“I've Seen The Sun,” "I'll Go Where You Lead," and "Little Warbler" added to CBC Radio this week!

From the heady feeling of being the only one awake at night, to the brooding at the end of a relationship, to the coziness of a rainy day, to the slithering sexiness of a night out on the town, Songwriter is a jazz album of deliciously dark tones and stormy sonic landscapes. It’s the third album on which vocalist Alex Bird and pianist Ewen Farncombe combine their singular talents, and it reflects deeply on the full spectrum of human mood and the act of songwriting itself.

Check out Alex Bird and The Jazz Mavericks "The Sweetest Moments" on YouTube here:

Tom Jackson’s ‘Stories, Songs & Santa Causes’ Kickstarts The 2022 Holiday Season With Cross-Canada Tour

Fri Dec 02, 2022

Singer-songwriter, actor and activist Tom Jackson is once again hitting the road for charity. The 74-year-old, whose philanthropic efforts have raised an estimated $250 million in cash and in-kind food banks and disaster relief since the 80s, will launch his national Stories, Songs & Santa Causes tour Nov. 24 in Edmonton and wrap up on Dec. 16 in St. John’s.

Sponsored by Canada Life — the 26th year of their support — the pre-holiday concerts feature an evening of original music, sing-along tunes, and signature Christmas music from master storyteller, Tom Jackson; BC Country Music Association hall-of-fame producer, Tom McKillip; and award-winning producer/multi-instrumentalist John MacArthur Ellis begins November 24.

“Stories, Songs & Santa Causes is about the why not the what. For us, the why is to make you happy, because healthy is happy, and happy is healthy. This show is designed to get you out of your funk, and for you to help us save lives. The ‘why’ is what separates us from others. Buy a ticket, save lives. Stories, Songs & Santa Causes is about giving a gift,” says Tom.

Tom Lavin & the Legendary Powder Blues Make History with National Canadian Museum

Fri Nov 25, 2022

Vancouver-based band Tom Lavin & the Legendary Powder Blues, formed in 1978, are finally history, in the most literal sense. The National Canadian Museum of History has just completed an acquisition of Powder Blues artifacts that will become a part of the CMH permanent collection.

“We are incredibly honored that the National Canadian Museum of History has chosen to preserve our legacy. It is our hope the display will convey some of the joy, passion and energy that we have shared with and received from our great audiences over the past 44 years,” says Lavin. “It’s satisfying to know that these items will be protected and shared for years to come. I could not have asked for a more perfect home than this great and respected museum in Gatineau.”

Check ‘em out live on YouTube here:

Why Is Your Song Not Getting Radio Airplay?

Fri Nov 25 2022
Peter Åstedt

Okay, I have been writing about why certain songs are not picked for Cashbox Radio 9and beyond). What is kind of annoying is when you get a song and can’t play it, yes it happens, more often than you realize.

I was just doing my featured radio show “Yesterday and Tomorrow” for our weekly Sunday feature where we play the new singles alongside the hits. We have pre-approved five songs and told these artists that we will play the song in our Sunday show and they will be added to the database so their fans can also go to our request line on Request a Song on Cashbox Radio! – Cashbox Radio for additional airplay for the track. This was done late last week or early this week. So now on Saturday, I’m there to create and record the show and see if they had sent the song.

The Andy Kim Christmas Returns To Toronto’s Massey Hall Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Fri Nov 25 2022
Andy Kim

The Andy Kim Christmas returns to Toronto’s Massey Hall Wednesday, December 7 with a collection of iconic performers celebrating this year’s holiday season. The 18th iteration of the renowned concert series sees Andy Kim bring Canada’s most decorated musical talent together for an evening of cheer with all proceeds donated to CAMH Gifts of Light.

Tickets to The Andy Kim Christmas will be available for purchase Friday, October 28 at 10 am at MasseyHall.com and TicketMaster.ca. Tickets start at $35.50- $85.50 plus fees. The full line up of special guests will be announced in the coming weeks.

Feature Film Release: Sultans of String shine their light on the Silver Screen in Toronto and Hamilton

Fri Nov 18 2022
Sultans of String

Billboard-charting world music supergroup Sultans of String are excited about the launch of their feature length film "Sultans of String: The Refuge Project - Visual Album" – their pandemic project that just won at the Cannes World Film Festival, Best Istanbul Film Festival, and selected for the Vancouver Independent, Scarab, and Folk in Film Festivals.

Come join their Cast and Crew party, and celebrate their recent wins with a film screening, as well as another birthday “year around the sun” for bandleader Chris McKhool, all while raising donations for a good cause!

TORONTO: Sunday November 20
Doors at 6 pm, Film at 7 pm sharp.
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 2M7
Tix: https://sultansofstringfilm.eventbrite.ca

All admission proceeds of Toronto show after hall rental cost are donated to the UN Refugee Agency for their life-saving programming. Sultans of String have raised more than $10,000 so far!

Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On Premieres on AMERICAN MASTERS Nov 22

Fri Nov 18 2022
Buffy Sainte-Marie

Following a world premiere at The Toronto International Film Festival in 2022 and in honor of Native American Heritage Month, American Masters – Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On premieres nationwide Tuesday, November 22 at 9 p.m. ET on your local PBS station, pbs.org/americanmasters and on demand after this date on the PBS Video App.

The life, music, and activism of legendary Indigenous singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie are explored in this documentary that is as captivating as its subject, who smashed through barriers to become an inspiration to fans and fellow musicians alike.

Alt-Country Artist Andrea England Gets Honest About Holiday Bitter-Sweetness on New Single “Jolly Melancholy Christmas”

Fri Nov 18, 2022

Christmas is a difficult time for many – if not most – people, even if that isn’t the way it’s usually portrayed by retailers and in the media. With that in mind, alt-country artist Andrea England gets refreshingly, reassuringly honest about the bitter-sweetness of the holiday in her new single “Jolly Melancholy Christmas” – check it out on YouTube here:

A slow, thoughtful guitar ballad, “Jolly Melancholy Christmas” is introspective without being a complete tearjerker (although you’re absolutely allowed to cry). Like many people, England recently lost some people who were close to her, and the loss has tinged the holidays with sadness over the last few years.

This Is What Stops Artists From Writing A Good Song Pt. 2

Fri Nov 11 2022
Peter Åstedt

This is why your song is not picked! Part 2.

I’m writing the main and most common reasons why we reject artists' songs on the radio station. I will get back to the series about the magazine and the festivals. Now gets to the main reasons we say no to songs for radio. Just to get some inspiration I will go into my mailbox and submit an account to see what is in there right now.

Oh, the first one here is an artist that wrote: Listen at 3:20 in the song there the magic happens.

Lisa Hartt Arrival

Fri Nov 11, 2022

Cover Photo Credit: Michael Spillane

Canadian treasure Lisa Hartt is back on the airwaves with a moving tribute to her late brother, Christopher, with a song entitled "Don't Tell Me How I Feel".

Watch and listen to "Don't Tell Me How I Feel" on YouTube here:

Original MuchMusic VJ and Platinum Singer/Songwriter Christopher Ward Re-Releases Debut 1978 Album Spark of Desire

Fri Nov 11 2022
Christopher Ward

Before writing a No. 1 Billboard hit (“Black Velvet”), becoming a MuchMusic original veejay, and an author and podcaster, JUNO-winning songwriter Christopher Ward recorded a 1978 solo debut album titled Spark of Desire.

Until now, Spark of Desire has never been available on streaming services. However, on a lucky trip to his well-organized storage space during the pandemic, Ward found the master tapes, and Warner Music Canada was able to bake them back into existence and remaster this delightful debut.

Fans will finally be able to discover (or re-discover) Spark of Desire in its remastered splendor, including the joyful, groovy single “Once In A Longtime,” which, with its bright horns and easy disco roll, evokes the beauty, wonder, and euphoria of discovering new love.

Jerry Lee Lewis The Killer Goes Home

Fri Nov 04, 2022

The Million Dollar Quartette is reunited in Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven as Jerry Lee Lewis joins Elvis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins in the great celestial band of brothers. Lewis, the hard livin', hard rockin' boogie-woogie piano innovator and bluesy, country, rock ‘n’ roll singer passed away on October 28, 2022 at his home in DeSoto County, Miss., south of Memphis at the age of 87.

This Is What Stops Artists From Writing A Good Song

Fri Nov 04 2022
Peter Åstedt

The biggest problem right now for the music industry is that we have opened the doors to the big brown wave. Before we had some kind of gatekeepers in the music industry. It was definitely not good all the time, but better than today when there is nothing to stop people from giving out stuff.

The opportunity to give out something stops artists from really developing a song. When I became a scriptwriter for TV and Film the first thing, they told us was, writing is rewriting. Something I’m not good at, as you can see here in my columns. Sometimes I should just stop reading the text and rewrite it. Stop again and just rewrite. Yes, my columns would be better. Unfortunately, time wise and I need to do so many other things I really don’t have time for it, so you have to bear with me.

When it comes to a song though, it’s a different story. Here you are writing something that should be forever. There is no real deadline; the song is ready when it’s ready. You are also writing a song that should compete with millions of other songs. Not just a column that comes out once a week and then is forgotten. No here you must put your soul into it.

How To Make A Show If Everything Is There?

Fri Oct 28 2022
Peter Åstedt

It’s not hard to make a show in your head and everything is there. I would even be the best performer in the world if you just let me have an unlimited budget and complete control. My show would have singing dinosaurs on a real life scale and more pyrotechnic than Kiss or Rammstein. I would just perform my own songs, but since I’m not that good of a singer we would require at least twenty-five people and guest stars that would help me perform by songs. Also, a good sound technician can handle Autotune in any circumstances. It will be a story during the whole show about my journey in the music industry and all the artists that I have met and worked with over the years.

Sounds good?

It would be a spectacle, I promise. The problem here is that, of course, if I would take this to a festival or any gig place for that sake, they probably would say no. You would need a gigantic stage and production around it. Even if I paid for all the production myself many would be skeptical to bring this show in. Of course, it will be good, even if I can’t sing or play all the things around it will be just worth seeing. The music is coming far behind the show.

Just In Time For Halloween, Jackie K Releases Creepy Folk Ballad “Nurse Jane”

Fri Oct 28 2022
Jackie K

Just in time for Halloween, Jackie K has released her latest single, “Nurse Jane,” a creepy alt-folk ballad inspired by a tuberculosis sanatorium in Saskatchewan and a troubled nurse who worked there.

Check out “Nurse Jane” on YouTube here:

On the shores of Echo Lake as the Great War was done / She dressed in white and went to work in the sanatorium / Nurse Jane doled out tablets and help to those in need / She cleaned and fed, they coughed and bled / The valley of TB,” she sings.

“Saskatchewan opened three TB sanatoriums at the beginning of the twentieth century and one of them was located in the Qu’Appelle Valley at Fort San,” Jackie recounts. “It was a completely independent space, except for coal delivery, and an early model for what we now know as Medicare.” Built in 1917, it functioned as a TB clinic till 1971.

Adele Releases New Single and Video “I Drink Wine”

Fri Oct 28, 2022

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins MBE is an English singer and songwriter. After graduating in arts from the BRIT School in 2006, Adele signed a record deal with XL Recordings. Her debut album, 19, was released in 2008 and spawned the UK top-five singles "Chasing Pavements" and "Make You Feel My Love" and the rest is history.

The singer dropped a lush new music video for her song "I Drink Wine" on Thursday in what was her first new video since January. The well-produced clip finds the 15-time Grammy winner, 34, drifting through a river while drinking a glass of wine.

Watch "I Drink Wine" on YouTube here:

Are We Going To Get Any More Superstars?

Fri Oct 21 2022
Peter Åstedt

I wrote the same line around 2005. Internet was taking over, MTV was dead, and it seems like we were splitting up in our media consumption that there were no trends, just niche things. Back then my question was if Eminem and Britney Spears would be the last Superstars! It looks like it, nothing big really came out.

I was wrong but it took up to three years more, almost to 2009 before it really happened again. Then it was Lady Gaga and after that, we got several Superstars. I don’t know what made it possible. Did we actually start to look on the same channels just to make it possible? Did someone have the formula to get their things in several channels at the same time? I know for a fact that Lady Gaga put all PR in Europe for example, but at the same time was just a fluke.