We created The Cashbox Canada Legacy Award to be given to music business icons who we feel deserve to be in some sort of Hall of Fame for the contributions they have given over the years.

The first was given to Bobby Curtola, a Canadian treasure and trailblazer, 5 more followed and now #7 was awarded to a person who his not actually Canadian, but over the years has supported and promoted Canadian artists as well as making his own mark as an entrepreneur in the music industry.

So what could be more fitting than to award this to Peter Astedt at a networking reception on the 15th of February, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden at the Canadian Embassy, who hosted the event.

On November 22, 2018, Cashbox Magazine Canada presented another in its series of Cashbox Canada Legacy Awards in Toronto to a Canadian music industry builder and educator, John Harris. The presentation ceremony took place at Harris Institute in Toronto, a music industry school started by Harris in 1989.

The evening was attended by many of John’s contemporaries and fellow music industry icons and was highlighted by a live solo performance by Lisa Hartt, whom John managed. Hartt performed her hit ‘Old Time Movie’ and a moving version of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Tower of Song’, a perfect fit for John and the evening.

Cashbox CEO/Editor in Chief Sandy Graham presented the award to an emotional Harris who gave a heartfelt acceptance speech where he gave thanks to all who helped him on his journey with a special thanks to “two people who are unable to attend because of the distance, and it’s a really far distance, so thanks Mom and Dad who are up there” as he pointed up to heaven.

George Olliver is a Canadian musical institution. Audiences have been raving about his stage show for years. He has been described as a dynamic performer, great soulful voice and probably the best showman in Canada! What is often overlooked is that he is a prolific writer, producer, and successful recording artist. Olliver's career shot to stardom as the lead singer of the now legendary R&B band Mandala, with TOP TEN hits "Opportunity" and "Give and Take".

Nicknamed "The Blue-Eyed Prince of Soul" he has remained one of the most popular performers on the Canadian music scene. George's extensive touring over the years has brought him international success, acknowledged by fans and industry critics alike. Having performed on tours with such acts as The Who, Rolling Stones, Cream, George learned the importance of live performance.

Moving on into the seventies, Olliver formed Natural Gas with the bands self-titled album, charting in the TOP 10 in Canada and TOP 50 in the U.S.

Cashbox Magazine Canada is proud to announce the lastest recipient of its legacy award. The honour is awarded to a Canadian music personality who has paved roads and through dedication and hard work earned a spot in Canadian music history. Previous honourees have been entertainers Teen Idol Bobby Curtola, Legendary Singer/Radio Personality Robbie Lane, Record Store owner pioneer Fred Ramsperger (International Music-Montreal) and the well-loved blues performer/radio/TV personality Danny Marks.

The decision of choosing the person is done carefully by committee with contributions weighed and then voted upon. Not surprisingly Lori Yates was a unanimous choice.

Robbie Lane, Canadian music pioneer, was honoured at his place a work, on stage, where he has spent the majority of his adult life. Rarely will you see an entertainer more at home, under the lights and performing for the crowd than Robbie Lane.

Robbie received the Cashbox Canada Legacy Award of Merit on Sunday October 18, 2015 from none other than Canadian legend and old friend Bobby Curtola. “What an honour it was for me to be the one to give this award to my old friend Robbie Lane,” said Curtola after the event. “He truly is a pioneer and the Canadian music industry owes a lot to guys like Robbie. And he’s still doing it!”

Robbie Lane’s career spans six decades, 1960’s through to 2015 and a brief history of how he got here is awe inspiring.

Cashbox Magazine Canada, aside from promoting mainstream artists and their careers, has a mandate to promote the indie artists as well as the legacy artists who paved the way.

Last weekend they took that mandate one step further by presenting the first Legacy Award to Bobby Curtola. CEO & Editor in Chief Sandy Graham, herself a veteran of decades in the music business said “I firmly believe that there are a lot of good folks out there who have made outstanding contributions to the Canadian music landscape that, even if they have been recognized in the past, deserve another moment in the sun. Our plan over the next few years is to make sure these people get their due. And it won’t just be artists  it will include record people, industry insiders and the ones behind the scenes who paved the path to create a Canadian music industry.”