Winterfolk Xvii Blues & Roots Festival Announces Full Lineup

Fri Feb 01 2019
Winterfolk Xvii Blues & Roots Festival

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.

 

I Can Hear Music: The 20/20 Sessions Beach Boys

Fri Feb 01 2019
The Beach Boys

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.

Randy Travis Forever and Ever - Amen

Fri Feb 01 2019
Randy Travis

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.

BTW-Royal Tusk, Lee Harvey Osmond. Judy Brown, Emily King, Sugar Brown, French Squeeze, Bev Kreller

Fri Jan 25 2019
Royal Tusk

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 The Big Wheel Keeps On Turning

Fri Jan 25 2019
Tina Turner Courtesy of Getty Images

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?

The Spirit of John (Mann) a Benefit Concert for The Toronto Alzheimer’s Society

Fri Jan 25, 2019
Alzeihmers Benefit Concert
Alzeihmers Benefit Concert

A few years ago, when Spirit of the West’s singer and main song co-writer John Mann was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s, a ripple went through the fairly close-knit Canadian music community. While it was clear that performing music would recede from John’s personal endeavors over time, his love of music has not diminished.

This concert is a benefit for the Toronto Alzheimer’s Association Music Project, which provides iPods free of charge to people living with dementia. Loaded with music from each patient’s “soundtrack”, they are able to listen to music connected to meaningful experiences over their life.

BTW-Garnet Rogers, Michelle Rumball, Natalie Prass, White Cowbell Oklahoma, Steph Cameron

Fri Jan 18 2019
Garnet Rogers

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.

Myles Goodwyn Lost and Found Memory Maker

Fri Jan 18, 2019
Norma
Melody Maker

Imagine you lose something very near and dear to you. You’re told that the article has been destroyed. You go through all the stages of loss; grief, questioning what happened and finally acceptance that it’s gone, never to be seen again only to suddenly have it reappear some forty years later.

That’s exactly what happened to blues artist and founding member of April Wine, Myles Goodwyn.

Western Swing Authority Big Deal

Fri Jan 11, 2019

If you take six of the finest musicians in the country and team them up with a crackerjack female singer who perform with authority and add western swing music to the mix what do you have? The Western Swing Authority of course! Western swing music is “a mix of rural, cowboy, polka, folk, Dixieland jazz and blues mixed with swing; and played by a hot string band often augmented with drums, saxophones, pianos and, notably, the steel guitar. The electrically amplified stringed instruments, especially the steel guitar, give the music a distinctive sound.

BTW- Madame Psychosis, Dogs at Large, Erin Costelo, Ladom Ensemble, The PepTides, Darrell Millar, Audra Santa, Danny Marks, Friendly Rich

Fri Jan 11 2019
Madame Psychosis

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.

YOHIO Merry Go Round

Fri Dec 21 2018
YOHIO

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.

Christmas and Family Love

Fri Dec 21 2018
Michael Williams' sister Gwendolyn

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!

Happy New Year from the Cashbox Team!

Fri Dec 21 2018
Happy New Year from the Cashbox Team!

Editor's Note: Cashbox Canada is on holiday! We will return on January 11, 2019, with more stories, more reviews and more personal interviews for you to enjoy. Happy New Year to all of you!

 

I was recently asked at an industry by an industry colleague how I keep Cashbox Canada going. Considering we have reached a ten-year mark in publishing, it is actually remarkable.

 

We do work hard to have advertising carry the financial burden to run a magazine while striving to be supportive of the music and the artists. Sometimes a label, artist or publicity person doesn’t understand that we have to pick our stories carefully and although it is not contingent on ad buys, obviously personal interviews do require paying a journalist for their time and efforts.

The same goes for our cover stories-there are only 51 covers a year so we choose carefully and like to make sure we give the established artists their due and perhaps be lucky enough to choose the future stars just before they break as hit artists. 

But that is just the money side and weekly logistics.

BTW - Emily King, Royal Tusk, Atlas: Empire, U.N. Jefferson, The Trews, Simone Morris, Big Sugar, Julian Taylor Band, Lisa Weitz

Fri Dec 21 2018
Emily King Photo Credit Bao Ngo

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.

Sambea Cochrane Young At Heart

Fri Dec 14 2018
Sambea Cochrane

Sambea, an interesting name for an artist, one that sets her apart from the others swimming in the same talent pool. Sambea is a combination of Samantha and Beatrice and it’s pronounced SAMbea. May as well get it right now because you’re to be hearing a lot of this talented artist in the very near future. And thankfully it’s not just her name that sets her apart.

Sambea grew up in the Beaches area of East Toronto where a lot of talents was raised and lives and works in. Legendary pianist Glenn Gould was born and raised in the Beaches and it’s home to Canadian icons Dan Hill and Larry Gowan and Shirley Eikhard wrote her classic Something To Talk About in a tiny apartment over Stoneworks on Queen Street East. Sambea attended many of the Beach’s music schools and has had vocal training in the area as well. She has accomplished a lot in a very short period of time, performing in many of Toronto’s finer venues and has toured Russia and the Baltics.

Bara Jonson and Free Synergy

Fri Dec 14 2018
Bara Jonson and Free Synergy

They say that music is the language of the soul, and nothing could be truer for this Crockpop (country/rock/pop) band from south of Sweden. Composed of a dynamic duo together with inspirational musicians and skillful performers, Bara Jonson and Free are a band like no other. From live gigs to streaming sessions and more, they continue to touch fans around the world with their blend of heartfelt lyrics, strong music, and soulful messages.

The duo has played at most of southern Sweden's festivals and also had tours in Denmark, Germany and Holland. 

Bara Jonson and Free recently attended Live at Heart Newfoundland and came back from the island of the rock inspired by the welcoming community of Burin Peninsula NL. Performing at the Live at Heart in Örebro, Sweden earlier this year Bara Jonson and Free received an invitation from organizer Evan Murray to be one of only 30 acts to participate at Live At Heart Newfoundland, Marystown on the Burin Peninsula, this past October. It was to be an appearance that inspired them on many levels, and it touched the hearts of all who attended.

Hugh’s Room Live – The Legend Continues

Fri Dec 14 2018
Hugh’s Room Live

They say you can’t keep a good man down. The same can be said of a good music venue. In Toronto, examples of that abound. There are the multiple morphings of the Horseshoe, still rocking out after 60 plus years, the soon to rise yet again El Mocambo, the also many faces of The Great Hall, the Chinese restaurant turned dance club turned influential rock’n’roll venue Lee’s Palace, The Cameron House’s transition from dive bar to must hear music maven. Add to the top of that list Hughs’ Room, bringing the finest in acoustic and roots and folk players to the city’s west side, dealing in quality music and the pin drop acoustic supremacy.

The club was opened in 2001 by Richard Carson and named in memory of his brother Hugh, a former folk musician who had dreamed of opening his own performance venue before his death of cancer in 1999.

Glen Campbell Sings for the King

Fri Dec 14 2018
Glen Campbell Sings for the King

Before he became the Rhinestone Cowboy, Glen Campbell secretly recorded demos for several years for The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. A new album released today on Capitol/UMe aptly named Sings For The King collects together some of these rare songs that Glen sang for Elvis. Originally intended for The King’s ears only, fans of both legendary artists can now enjoy this discovered piece of history that has gone completely unknown about for more than a half a century. Many of the songs were made famous by Elvis in his movies with on-screen performances of tracks such as“Spinout,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “Clambake” and “Stay Away Joe.” The album, available on CD, vinyl and digitally, opens with a newly constructed Glen-Elvis duet of the poignant gospel song “We Call on Him,” which fuses their voices together allowing listeners to hear how Glen set the stage for Elvis and how the two superstars would have sounded together.

BTW-Jaymz Bee & The Tiki Collective, Heather Rankin, Sandra Bouza, The O’Pears, The Treble, Kete Bowers, White Cowbell Oklahoma, Sin City Boys, Random Order

Fri Dec 07 2018
The Tiki Collective

Santa willing, this could be one hot mess of a Christmas party. The Tiki Collective (TTC) is a large ensemble of instrumentalists and vocalists based in Toronto who have performed around Ontario for the past two years including jazz festivals, clubs and charity events. It is also the most slyly subversive of Jaymz Bee’s several bands and invariably brings the party. The stellar lineup is George Koller bass, Eric St-Laurent guitar, Great Bob Scott drums, Michael Davidson vibes, Bill McBirnie, flute. Vocalists include but are not limited to: Jaymz Bee, Jocelyn Barth, Lily Frost, John Finley, Heather Luckhart, Denielle Bassels, Irene Torres, Jessica Lalonde

The Tiki Collective's debut album 'Muse' has been taking North America by blizzard, charting on the Canadian "Earshot" as well as the American "Jazzweek" Charts.