A few years ago, I had the great pleasure of interviewing Tony Orlando (Knock Three Times, Tie a Yellow Ribbon, Bless You, Candida to name a few) He gave Cashbox Canada a beautiful quote: “Cashbox Magazine was the tree – the rest of the publications were the leaves that came from that tree.” – Legendary Artist Tony Orlando

Back in the day when the music industry relied on the trades, music magazines were the professionals’ music bibles. We had Radio and Records, Billboard, Cashbox and in Canada we had RPM Magazine and The Record.

Cashbox Magazine was launched before Billboard and the name was derived from the actual jukebox plays, when someone put the money in, it went to a box with a letter and a number. This was calculated by the spins the jukebox played. This way the jukebox companies could report the plays a song was getting in diners, clubs and more. Hence the ‘Cashbox’. The first charts were born and expressions like “Bubbling Under” and on the Charts “With a Bullet” were all part of the Cashbox legacy.

Over 250 artists and Canadian music industry heavyweights champion bold vision for TORONTO MUSIC EXPERIENCE – fundraising now underway.

Toronto’s rich musical legacy is taking centre stage with the launch of the Toronto Music Experience (TME) — a first-of-its-kind destination that will celebrate the city’s unparalleled contributions to music in Canada and around the world.

Séan McCann, the beloved Canadian troubadour and Order of Canada recipient best known as a founding member of Great Big Sea, is hitting the road for a different kind of tour in 2025—a tour not about charts, fame, or the “American dream,” but about connection, community, and commitment to country. Literally.

The 14^th annual festival is a Canadian success story, featuring singer-songwriter Steven Page and legendary vocal producer Deke Sharon

The power of the human voice will take centre stage at SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival, taking place May 24 to June 2, 2025. Now in its 14^th year, the festival features more than 20 events, including concert performances, industry workshops, and the inaugural SING! Canadian A Cappella Championships. The full festival schedule, festival passes and tickets (including discounted prices for students and arts workers) are available now at singtoronto.com. 

Terry Gomes completed an Honours degree at the University of Ottawa, studying classical guitar and composition. He taught guitar for many years, played in several rock bands, and performed in a flute/classical guitar duo. 

We caught up with Terry at home in Canada and he had this to say about his new release, “My new album, “SOME CHUNES”, features three brand new tracks and eight previously released favourites that have been remastered. The remastered pieces I chose were the ones that have had the most radio airplay, downloads, streams and press over the last 10 years.

Check out “A Recurring Thought on YouTube here:

Although it took a while to get to the dance, Mark Wihlidal is set to go all in and leave his mark. We caught up with Mark at his home in Southern Ontario to discuss his newfound passion for songwriting and recording: “I have been writing for about 6 years and I’m really happy and proud our latest song “ Hoping Love Will Come My Way” recorded at Artists development studio Clarington, Ontario with our talented friend Alex Paris at the helm.”

Historically, Canada and the United States have been friends, neighbours and allies since Canada ‘s inception in 1867. However, all of that changed when newly elected president of the United States Donald Trump decided that Canada should become the 51st state. This of course is a ridiculous concept and rather insulting to Canada as a sovereign nation.

Trump underestimated Canada ‘s pride of country their strength and resolve. 

Enter Bowser and Blue, George Bowser and Rick Blue, the Montreal-based legendary musical/comedy duo, famous for their satirical and topical songs. And they didn’t disappoint, recording a song that echoes the sentiments of the majority of Canadians:
This Land Is OUR Land (Don’t Try and Grab It). 

Check it out on YouTube here:

Over 1.5 Million Social Media Views in 2025 – A Breakout Year of Engagement and Impact

Ollee Owens isn’t just singing the blues—she’s living and breathing them with a conviction that cuts deep. The Calgary-based blues and Americana artist unveils a stunning new music video for her latest single, “Nowhere to Hide”, an anthem of resilience that perfectly encapsulates the raw emotion and defiant hope that define her sound. With the album, Nowhere to Hide, spending 13 consecutive weeks in the Roots Music Report’s Canadian Top 10 and her previous video, “Shivers and Butterflies,” racking up nearly 800,000 views in just one month, Owens is proving that blues still has a powerful story to tell.

TajMo, the historic collaboration between two generations of American music masters, have announced their long-awaited return with Room On The Porch, a new full-length album out May 23 on Concord Records. The 10-song collection finds Keb’ Mo’ and Taj Mahal reuniting for their first release together since 2017, when their debut collaboration brought them from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (for a stunning performance alongside Jon Batiste) to the GRAMMY stage (where they took home Best Contemporary Blues Album). “We’re just trying to keep the culture moving forward,” said Taj Mahal, during the duo’s acceptance speech that year; a joint mission statement that radiates as strong as ever with Room On The Porch.

With the climate crisis reaching a crucial crossroads, Montreal-based folk singer Brian Campbell has penned a passionate call to do whatever one can to save the planet. From devastating fires internationally to Earth's unnerving rise in temperature, Campbell's latest single "Planet on Fire" is a proverbial eye-opening anthem on what needs to be done from big business on down the line. Yet the natural feeling of the terrific single is a bit outside the folk musician's wheelhouse.

Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/1dfiK4bgjglyBwZ7tlSMD0

There are so many different ways to reach people with a message these days. You can write a book, you can start a podcast, you can make a video. You can do social media posts.

But one of the best ways to get your message across to a large audience is through a song. In a world filled with darkness, singer songwriter Barry Stagg has done just that with his timely and uplifting song “Shine A Little Light.”

Check it out on YouTube here:

During the late 70’s and into the early 90’s, Barry wrote and composed six full-length modern operas. During this time, he also wrote film scores for various documentaries and mini-operas. From 1987 to 2016, Barry was the playwright-in-residence for the NOSCO Academy of Theatre Arts where he wrote and composed over 90 musicals.

Mona Lissa Chanda is a Montreal-based singer-songwriter who blends the sophistication of timeless classics with the allure of catchy pop hooks. She is inspired by the likes of Amy Winehouse, Tracy Chapman, Melody Gardot, Sade, and Lake Street Dive. Drawing from her own life experience, Mona Lissa writes torch songs about self-discovery and the longing for love and connection. While she often explores the dark side of human nature, her songs are imbued with wit, charm, and a nostalgic feel. Ultimately, she loves life with all its imperfections and embraces the opportunity to witness reality as a modern woman.

February 6, 2025: Cultural Centre, Midland, ON
February 7, 2025: Hugh's Room, Toronto, ON
February 8, 2025: Aeolian Hall, London, ON
February 9, 2025: Emmanuel United Church, Waterloo, ON
February 12, 2025: The Bassment, Saskatoon, SK
February 13, 2025: Charles Bailey Theatre, Camrose, AB
February 14, 2025: The Legion, Calgary, AB
February 15, 2025: Flare and Derrick , Turner Valley, AB
February 16, 2025: Artsplace, Canmore, AB
February 18, 2025: Live Theatre, Grande Praire, AB
February 19, 2025: Festival Place, Sherwood Park, AB

Described as “the most thrillingly nimble ensemble the UK has produced in decades” by Prog Magazine, & “Orchestral folk at its finest” by Time Out, Moulettes have captivated Canadian audiences on every tour.

Photo Credits Dylan Weller 

Once upon a Broadway stage “Beatlemania” was a musical with four lookalikes fronting a multimedia backdrop. It played for years in New York and toured North America but issues ensued which led to that show’s demise.

Decades later, we have “ONES.”

An immersive plunge into that pre-Internet era of vinyl, newspapers, A.M. radio and word-of- mouth excitement, ONES celebrates the Fab Four’s songs which reached Number One on the North American radio hit parade.

November 2000 saw the CD release of ‘One,’ a compilation of Beatles’ chart toppers. With its trademarked yellow ‘ONE’ printed on a red background cover it sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

The New Millenium solidified the Beatles longevity.

Musicians revisiting their discographies can shed light on a certain time and place. It can also be a reason to revisit old songs and see if there's a new sonic coat of paint that might bring them back to life. For Brantford, Ontario-based Americana musician KC Armstrong, the pandemic offered up time to rediscover old gems, including "Someone Else Tonight," the latest strikingly solid single, from his Finally Crafted album, teeming with passion and verve despite the recording process being the antithesis of the original approach.

Slowly but surely, our society is finally starting to understand neurodivergence. As more and more of those on the spectrum come forward with their experiences, we’re gaining invaluable insight into their unique ways of seeing and hearing—the special process by which they navigate the world.

music.youtube.com/watch?v=oV9Cb7qYOdE

For that, we can thank artists like Victoria, BC’s Rhianna Barr-Beaumont, whose diagnosed autism hasn’t been a roadblock in her path to musical achievement. Instead, it’s merely another aspect of her story. From Day One, she’s used music as an expression of love, joy, heartbreak and gratitude, letting songs convey her feelings when she couldn’t find the words for what she was trying to say.

Now heading into our 17^th year of publication, I know I always say this, but now more than ever, I need to acknowledge the Cashbox Team.

Chris Wardman, you have literally been with me since day 1 when we had a coffee 17 years ago and planned to roll out the first Cashbox Canada.  You are the backbone that helps me turn out a weekly publication, daunting but so rewarding. I couldn’t do it without you.

One of life's bigger events is the birth of a child and the dichotomy that comes for parents. On one hand there's the joy of seeing a little bundle of joy while on the other there is the fear and stress of how to look after and care for that same little bundle of joy. For John Dawson, his latest single "Things That I Meant To Say" serves as a credo to tell his child of the wholehearted love and support they'll have regardless of what unexpected twists, turns or hurdles life has in store.

Toronto’s own The Kewpie Dolls are proud to announce the release of their debut recordings. Featuring the songs “Bad Boy Mine” and “Private Party”, this high-energy showcase of their signature 1960s-inspired garage-punk sound is available on 7” 45rpm vinyl through Ugly Pop Records. Both tracks were recorded and mixed by Paddy Burn.

The Kewpie Dolls Bandcamp
thekewpiedolls.bandcamp.com/album/the-kewpie-dolls-ep

Canada’s Walk of Fame proudly announced today that Liona Boyd, internationally celebrated classical guitarist, composer, and five-time Juno Award winner, is among the first round of Inductees to be honoured in 2025 under the Arts & Entertainment category. This milestone coincides with the 50th anniversary of Boyd’s debut album, released in 1974.

Joining an illustrious group of past inductees such as Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, Celine Dion, and Leonard Cohen, Boyd’s induction recognizes her unparalleled contributions to music and her influence on Canadian culture.