Music fans across Canada are excited about the launch of DICE, but what does it mean for the music industry? Click here to find out: Casinos.com game library is large

Founded in London in 2014, DICE has steadily become the leading independent music ticketing company in the world.

For those unaware, this is a software platform that enables users to search and buy tickets to many different live music events, including concerts and festivals.

While its significance has been felt in the UK for the last nine years, in October 2023, it finally crossed the Atlantic into Canada, furthering its work to expand across North America and beyond.

Along with the launch in Toronto, exclusive deals have been announced with Collective Concerts, The Garrison, Baby G, SouthPaw, Transmit Presents, and many more renowned partners.

According to the president of DICE, Russ Tannen, Toronto is the “perfect stage to bring in new fans” and attain a tech-forward approach, bringing the shows that Canadians love straight to their smartphones with a fast and “transparent ticket experience designed for them”.

As the season is upon us, Cashbox Radio, like most stations at this time, is busy putting the rotation list together of the old standards as well as the 2023 Indie Releases that we feel deserve airplay and attention.

The first Cashbox Radio Christmas Pick Hits are:

(in alphabetical order)

Bara Jonson and Free – Say Merry Christmas

Collette Cooper – Dark Side of Christmas

Buffy Sainte-Marie Issues Statement after Emmy Win

Buffy Sainte-Marie statement:

Liona Boyd, affectionately known as "The First Lady of the Guitar," is set to captivate music lovers worldwide with her upcoming album, "Once Upon A Time." This enchanting musical journey results from a five-year creative voyage, offering listeners a realm of nostalgia, beauty, and timeless imagination. What makes this release even more remarkable is the simultaneous launch of a generous guitar giveaway initiative sponsored by Liona Boyd in collaboration with Yamaha and Long & McQuade music stores.

Experience Nocturn here:

Iconic singer and veteran songwriter Marc Jordan, whose remarkable career has spanned over four decades, has dropped a captivating new single, "Best Day of My Life," from his critically acclaimed album "Waiting for the Sun To Rise," released in April 2023. This soulful and mesmerizing track is a testament to Marc Jordan's exceptional talent and ability to evolve as an artist.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/album/5E0CarVimmc8TWcIgcqZ4f

 In a significant milestone of his illustrious career, Jordan has been honoured with induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place on November 1, 2023, in Toronto, Ontario, recognizing Jordan as an acclaimed producer, jazz vocalist, and revered songwriter known as a "songwriter's songwriter" by his peers and industry icons. Alongside fellow inductee John Capek, with whom he co-wrote the hit "Rhythm of My Heart" for Rod Stewart, Jordan was celebrated for his immense contributions to the world of music.

Barb Keck of Music in Motion Canada has now extended the deadline for submissions for the MiMc Awards which will now close at midnight EST on November 15, 2023.

What inspired this music adjudication initiative?

Barb Keck has this to say of the new initiative, ”Singer-Songwriters Musicians are looking for opportunities to be heard by top-notch music professionals.
We’ve received requests from music creators to help get their music heard. This inspired us to create a break for undiscovered INDIE talent to gain connections, opportunities, and exposure to award-winning music industry professionals.

This event was initiated and designed to help musicians gain valuable feedback that will help them improve their music careers and be the catalyst for progress and success.

You may be asking ‘why is this so much more than the average fee of $25? Our event offers so much more. Personalized feedback to EVERY participant, from 3 music industry experts that specialize in music, artist management & publicity. Just for entering with $100, there is already a value of $400.

(It’s been over 40 years since The Legendary Downchild Blues Band have played the iconic El Mocambo in Toronto, so the band thought it would be fun to play the club one more time on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 8:00 pm with special guest Jeff Rogers.

Tickets for The Legendary Downchild Blues Band's show go ON SALE Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 10:00 am at elmocambo.com Tickets and Seating are very LIMITED, so get them while you can for this NOT TO BE MISSED performance!

Downchild has a long history with the “El Mo”, as it was known back then, as the house band for the club in the early ‘70’s and they recorded their live album But I’m On The Guest List there to a packed house in 1982.

In the early days, the El Mocambo was a lowdown joint on Spadina Avenue that hosted the likes of Downchild, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. In later years bands like Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Joan Jett and U2 graced the stage and of course The Rolling Stones surprise performance at the club with Margaret Trudeau in tow, is a thing of mystical legend.

African Women Acting (AWA), celebrating their 10^th anniversary this fall, is set to host The African-Canadian Fusion: a Cross-Cultural Celebration of Art, Music, and Poetry this fall. On Saturday, October 28 Daniel’s Spectrum, a cultural center on Dundas Street in Regent Park, Toronto, will be transformed into a home of music and other performing arts that celebrate the African diaspora in Canada.

Founded in 2011, AWA is a nonprofit focused on empowering, preserving and promoting women issues and the heritage of African culture through African art. And it’s known for its rocking events, including its long running annual Niagara Festival, which in the waning days of summer this year took over RiverBrink Art Museum in Queenston. One donor paid for 300 tickets, too, so that fans could enjoy the full day, family-friendly program.

The Fall event, meanwhile, will feature Cameroonian Afropop singer Jbwai, spoken word artist and singer J Nichole Noel, Susan Heaten, and Nigerian vocalist Sonia Aimy, who founded AWA back in 2011.

Since its inception in 2014, Women in Music Canada has seen exponential growth in its membership and offerings, helping to foster gender equality in the music industry through the support and advancement of professionals and creatives at every stage of their career. Today, we are thrilled to announce the new expanded membership program, designed to provide greater engagement and a robust benefit package, created to better meet the needs of women and gender expansive folks in artistic and industry careers in Canada. You can now sign up or update your membership here. 

Chasing a dream isn't easy, but sometimes the right song can motivate you to keep going. Alongside singer Mariame, Indigenous Garden Hill First Nation Hip-Hop artist Mattmac inspires others to follow their dreams in his new single, "Find My Love" – check it out on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h08LSVYZ68

 The songs opens with a catchy chorus and sweet vocals sung by Mariame. The lyrics show how you smile through the pain and strife while trying your hardest to achieve your dreams. It hooks the listener and leads them into the song's first verse that is rapped by Mattmac.

''Everybody if you hear me time to wake up
Get your grind, get your coin, get your Cake up
Yeah just ride with the boy I’m on the way up
I’m feeling young, feeling free and Feeling dangerous
This for the haters
To all the brave ones
We just doing our thing can you Blame us
We on fire let’s Show em what the flame does
It’s a vibe yeah we on that New wave son
It’s a celebration"

Studio D'Lux, the Classic Rock/Yacht Rock musical powerhouse comprised of industry legends, led by singer-songwriter Doug Kistner is back with a newly released single, "Slow Burn." Check it out on YouTube here:

 Distinguished, long-time musician Doug Kistner gathered a talented ensemble of world-class artists to create the supergroup Studio D’Lux. Joining the New Jersey singer and songwriter are legendary vocalist, Grammy Award-winning songwriter and former Chicago lead singer Bill Champlin, the iconic Billy Joel drummer Liberty DeVitto, Steely Dan guitarist Jon Herington, Elliott Randall, known for his classic ‘Reelin in the Years’ solo, Whitesnake guitarist - Joel Hoekstra and Glen Burtnik, formerly of Styx, The Orchestra, and The Weeklings.