Many of you know Lenny. The man about town who supports indie artists and live music everywhere. He is also the Editor here at Cashbox Canada and has stuck it out through good times and bad, making us one of the most popular online music magazines on a national and global level.

His credits and history in the music industry is lengthy: entertainment columnist for The Toronto Star (Canada’s largest newspaper) editor of Music Express (Canada’s national music magazine) as well as stints at The Globe and Mail, Eye, Metro, US industry mag Pollstar, and then of course Cashbox Canada and recently Editor for the American Record World Magazine.

Years ago a chance encounter with an extended dog leash, an inattentive dog owner and Lenny running at full speed created the initial injury. It has now, years later, manifested itself into a now critical situation that is threatening Lenny’s well being and lifestyle.

Which leads us to today. Lenny has now become a research subject, trying to determine why he is in pain 24/7, and many MRIs, scans, wands, prods and pushes and practically being put on the proverbial rack, there is still nothing definitive.

“A day of love, a day of gifts between lovers, also a day of reflection on what makes a healthy relationship”, says Kielley Koyote.

A meaningful rap song and video. Inspired by a friend and indigenous poet, and in commemoration to one woman gone too soon, Canadian rapper Kielley Koyote releases a single that addresses domestic abuse, on Valentine’s Day in hopes people open conversation about healthy relationships. Video (directed and photographed by NL videographer "Riley Harnett Photography") release pays tribute to Murdered and Missing Indigenous women across Canada in honour of a recent victim of abuse that met a terrible demise.

In January, Newfoundland was shaken by the news of Chantel John's murder. The indigenous young woman of Conne River was only 27 when she was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. The news shook Newfoundland, the Maiwpukek First Nations in Conne River and survivors of domestic violence across the Province. Statistics from the Canadian Foundation for Women say a woman is killed every 3 days; at the hands of a partner. Also that Aboriginal women are 6 times more likely to be killed by domestic violence.

Vancouver-based roots musician Buckman Coe has a lot on his plate in 2019. He just released 'Endlessly', the 3rd single from his soon to be released new album Gathering Storm (out February 22nd), and he'll be playing an official artist showcase at Folk Alliance International in Montreal on Feb 13th, before kicking off an Album Release Tour throughout BC and Alberta on March 1st. See below for full tour schedule.

Buckman Coe delves deep into some retro psych soul on his latest single 'Endlessly' with a feature from Portland-based songstress Lynx. Exploring the connection between souls over various lifetimes or pathways, it’s like a sonic and poetic version of the movies Cloud Atlas or Mr. Nobody.

“This song started with the extremely catchy “oooh” section in the chorus and a few delirious late nights jamming after reminiscing and rewatching some of my favourite mind-melting movies about identity, and soul connections over lifetimes," says Buckman Coe.

Anyone who was around when Snow had his breakout hit ‘Informer’ would never think anyone can do it justice in a remake but somehow Puerto Rican hitmaker Daddy Yankee who released

“Con Calma” was produced by Domingo (Big Pun, Fat Joe, KRS-One) and features a cameo—in Spanish—from Snow, as he helps Daddy Yankee reinvent his smash hit single, “Informer,” which spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

“It was one of my favourite songs growing up, and to do this the right way I needed the guy to be on the record,” explained Daddy Yankee, who celebrated his 42nd birthday just a few days ago. “You got to give honour to a classic in order to make a new version of it, and once I showed it to him, he said, ‘Wow, it’s amazing. I’ll 100% be on the song.’ So you have a Canadian and a Puerto Rican making Jamaican music. Two pioneers, two people pushing the cultures.”

Jully Black is a true Canadian Icon. Named as one of ‘The 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever’, (CBC Music) she has been dubbed ‘Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul’. As a platinum-selling recording artist, her music career has yielded multiple singles reaching the Top 10 pop, R&B and dance music charts. She has taken home Juno and Gemini Awards earned innumerable industry accolades and was hand-selected to sing for the Queen of England.

With her powerhouse vocals, hilarious personality and love of people, Jully Black truly is every woman. Her passion for philanthropy has taken her from the shantytowns of Bangladesh to the villages of South Africa and all across Canada. As a woman of faith, she champions important causes and uses her career as a platform to celebrate and inspire the greatness that lies within each of us.

As a songwriter, Jully has written music that has touched the hearts of her fans and collaborated with industry heavyweights such as Sean Paul, Destiny’s Child, among many others. She has shared the stage with superstars such as The Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Celine Dion, Elton John and Etta James to name a few.

Big Win for Ann Vriend! Ann Vriend is more than thrilled that she has won the Toronto Blues Society’s COBALT PRIZE at the recent 2019 Maple Blues Awards event. The event took place Monday night at Toronto’s Koerner Hall where Vriend was handed the award for Contemporary Blues Composition/Songwriting for her song "It’s Happening." Commissioned for a school fundraiser, the students of Sifton Elementary School Choir accompany AV on this empowering and gritty, inner-city soul anthem. This is the second Cobalt prize win for Vriend, who also picked up the prestigious award in 2017 for "All That I Can" (Aporia Records).

As part of the same project, the song “FLAME” was recorded with Edmonton’s Highlands Junior High School

The Toronto Blues Society’s annual Cobalt Prize is judged on a song’s ability to creatively utilize blues traditions within the broad contemporary musical landscape. With a focus on melody, song structure, lyric etc. they also choose the song that “will refresh and enrich blues as an art form."

GRAMMY-winning 12-piece musical ensemble Tedeschi Trucks Band, led by husband and wife, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, have announced their new album, Signs, out February 15. Featuring 11 new original songs, the album expands on the group’s omnivorous musical appetites, while facing down troubled times with credence and conviction. World-class musicianship is on full display in the genre-defying collection that runs the gamut from uplifting soulful anthems to bittersweet ballads and driving rock and roll.

The teaser is new single ‘Hard Case,’ which showcases Derek’s peerless guitar work and Susan’s stunning, soulful vocals, done to a rootsy rockabilly shuffle.

“It's Saturday Tonight.”

If there’s one music artist that most if not all Canadians know, it’s Stompin’ Tom Connors. Young or old, the words to “The Hockey Song” are practically encoded in our DNA along with Wade Hemsworth’s Log Driver’s Waltz and Stan Rogers’ Barrett's Privateers.

And much like his songs, Stompin’ Tom’s life story is an unforgettable one, with his legendary journey kicking off at the age of thirteen after running away from his adopted family in Skinners Pond, Prince Edward Island. From there he began his life on the road in Canada, spending thirteen years working odd jobs, writing songs, and literally singing for his supper. This led to that fateful night in Timmins when Maple Leaf Hotel bartender Gaëtan Lepine agreed to sell him a 35 cent beer for 30 cents - and include a free second one - if he would play a few songs. That turned into a 14-month run at the hotel and...well, the rest is history.

This week it’s about music I wasn’t sure about but kept going back anyway.

Soulful, jazz/funk Hammond B3 organ trio JV’S Boogaloo Squad has dropped debut single "SQUADZILLA" (Flatcar Records, Fontana North) and it’s out now and available wherever music is streamed or downloaded. The single is from their soon-come debut album Going ToMarket, which is also now available for pre-order.

They’ve been described as a classic organ trio, very into moving the genre forward, lively showmen who deal in the musicianship of the highest quality, take their craft seriously but know how to have a good time."

The 17th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival, taking place in Toronto February 22-24, 2019, is set to present the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, and will feature returning favourite artists as well as fresh new talent. It’s an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event that emulates a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 100 artists will be performing at three venues and five stages over a three-day weekend.

Following on the heels of their Friends Sessions comes I Can Hear Music: The 20/20 Sessions. The Beach Boys owed the Capital label one last album before moving own to their own label. The original 20/20 may not have been their most creative release as it contained a number of previously released singles, a few lightweight new songs, and tracks that had been sitting in the vaults. Despite its haphazard nature, it was a solid release. It may not have had an overall cohesiveness but the songs, when taken individually, are better than the whole.

I Can Hear Music: The 20/20 Sessions is only for the hardcore Beach Boys fan, who wants absolutely everything by the band.

There are very few completed songs as the 40 tracks consist mostly of demo’s, early versions, and acapella takes before the music was added. There is an early mono single release of Ersel Hickey’s “Bluebirds Over The Mountain,” and an alternative stereo mix of “Do It Again,” but the gem is “All I Want To Do” with the lead vocal by Dennis Wilson, which is another reminder of just what a beautiful voice he possessed.

Whether you are a country fan or not the signature tune of ‘Forever and Ever – Amen can’t be denied in anyone’s memory of just a stone cold hit song.

Born Randy Bruce Traywick in a small North Carolina town, he learned to play the guitar at the tender age of 8. Two decades later and a slight name change to Randy Travis, the southern superstar has had one of the most successful careers in what is considered staunchly traditional country music.

Now enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame, and having survived viral cardiomyopathy and a massive stroke, Travis has lived to tell a tale of stardom, heartache, perseverance and redemption. On May 14th, he will do just that with the release of his memoir, Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving the Storms of Life.

Blue-collar troubadours from the Great White North, Royal Tusk are steadfast champions of the majesty of kickass riffs, meaty hooks, a thick bottom end, and loud guitars. The four-piece band born in Edmonton, Albertamount a high-octane assault on the lazy security-blanket self-aware irony of hipsters and the disingenuous commercial pandering of rock poseurs alike.

Trailblazers like Soundgarden, Mudhoney, and Pearl Jam defined success on their own terms, putting artistry and authenticity first. Royal Tusk follows in that tradition, reveling in unbridled creativity that is provocative, nuanced, and captivating. The laidback charisma of stoner groove, the polished melodicism of classic and progressive rock, and the energy of punk all collide within Royal Tusk, earning them a steadily building buzz as big as their riffs.

Tina Turner Courtesy of Getty Images

Tina Turner is 79 years old and still going strong.  Anna Mae Bullock but we know her much better as Tina Turner. Her life has been well documented in a 1986 book ("I, Tina") and a movie whose title was the same as her #1 hit from 1984 ("What's Love Got To Do With It"). Plus, Casey Kasem told one totally inspirational story about Tina on the "American Top 40" show that aired 34 years ago on November 24, 1984.

Here's Casey's Kasem’s story:
Now, the story of the sensational comeback of Tina Turner. Nine years ago after more than 15 successful years in the music business as half of the of team of Ike and Tina Turner, Tina walked away from an unhappy marriage and music partnership with her husband, Ike. She says that when she left the marriage, she had only 36 cents in her purse and no other assets at all. And because Tina had left the act, she was the one responsible for monetary damages resulting from all the Ike and Tina Turner shows that had to be canceled. And that amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars. How did Tina come back?

Here’s a rare Toronto appearance from boldface Canadian Legacy artist Garnet Rogers. Within ten years, and barely out of high school, Garnet Rogers was on the road as a full-time working musician with his older brother Stan. Together they formed what has come to be accepted as one of the most influential acts in North American folk music.

Since then, Rogers has established himself as ‘One of the major talents of our time”. Hailed by the Boston Globe as a “charismatic performer and singer”, Garnet is a man with a powerful physical presence – close to six and a half feet tall – with a voice to match. With a smooth, rich baritone that can sound like it’s coming up from his toes, and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing, Garnet is widely considered by fans and critics alike to be one of the finest singers anywhere.

Here we go into 2019 and wishing all of you all the best and may much good music fall on your ears. Due to an ongoing medical issue, BTW is gonna become a little more limited in scope, as my situation limits the number of live gigs I’ll be able to attend. On the other hand, an increasing US profile means we’ll be able to get access to more US indie acts and that base, in turn, will continue to be exposed to more up and coming Canadian talent. 

A splash of Goth here, a greasy garage feel there. Toronto-based rock band Madame Psychosis kicks off 2019 with the release of “Just Wanna Be Myself”, the lead single off their upcoming album. With sing-along lyrics and a catchy hook, this radio-friendly single highlights the fight for individuality in a world full of predetermined expectations. The song was recorded by Alex Gamble at Union Sound Company.

The Swedish/Japanese visual pop-phenomena YOHIO has just released his second single from the new album that will be released in 2019, release date pending.

With an already impressive history to date, YOHIO has had Gold and platinum records, #1 chart hits in both 2013 and 2014, participant in the Swedish Eurovision twice, nominated for

Prestigious music awards started his own record label, toured for sold out venues, acted in an international award-winning TV Drama series, and does voice acting for Disney, signed to The Kennel as a songwriter for other artists. This is just a selection of what YOHIO has done since his solo debut in 2012 as a 16-year old releasing his Japanese Solo Debut Mini Album REACH the Sky. (Universal Music Japan).

With a family tree consisting of all musicians and actors maybe it is not that strange that the

DNA that created YOHIO turned out a multi-faceted diamond.

Photo: Michael Williams' sister Gwendolyn

Christmas to me means time passes to quickly.

It has been a hard year for my family and especially my sister Gwendolyn, who is battling cancer.
I wanted her to experience my world by having my phone stage side at Cannafest 2018 so she could hear my introduction of and me singing with Brett Michael of Poison.

She loved it as I love her; it brought a smile to her whole body...

She has been in the battle with cancer for some 20 years in its various stages so every day is a gift.

We as a family have never really celebrated Christmas, but do we celebrate Christmas Ideals daily.

So in the Spirit of Christmas and my family, we ask that you do the same...every minute is important so remember time and love are privileges, use them well.

I love you Gwendolyn you are the smartest, strongest, best person I have ever known and I was pissed that you did not accept those scholarships to Princeton, Harvard or Yale!

The world is better with you in it!

Memories are the mind’s way of reliving magical moments of the past. You can almost feel like you’re right back in that moment, the people, the sights, the smell, and the feel can be very real. And no memory is more vivid to me than my memories of Christmas’ past. I guess it’s because Christmas had so many layers for me, and still does.

Emily King Photo Credit Bao Ngo

Grammy-nominated pop-soul vocalist Emily King’s current video for "Look At Me Now" today, directed by George Mays and filmed at Apogee Studios in Los Angeles, is out there getting attention.

It’s the teaser for upcoming album Scenery due February 1st via ATO Records. The album, produced by longtime musical cohort Jeremy Most and mixed by Tom Elmhirst (Adele, Amy Winehouse, David Bowie) was recorded in upstate New York, nestled in the Catskill Mountains, where Emily now makes her home after a lifetime of Lower East Side living.

Scenery follows the critically acclaimed album The Switch (2015) which included the hit "Distance" (more than 13 million streams). Following the album's release, King performed on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Conan, Prairie Home Companion, and toured with Alabama Shakes.