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.

ole label group is pleased to announce that Canadian rock legend Kim Mitchell will release a re-recorded version of the Max Webster hit, “Diamonds Diamonds”, featuring Barenaked Ladies on February 22, 2019. Produced by Greg Wells (Keith Urban, Twenty-One Pilots, Adele), the Max Webster gem co-written by Kim Mitchell and his writing partner Pye Dubois, marks Mitchell’s highly anticipated first solo release in six years.

“After hearing audiences sing this song louder than the band on many nights, we decided to give a nod to this classic without trying to make it a period piece. Simply, let's record it more as we play it now," said Kim Mitchell. "Working with Barenaked Ladies made the session more vibed and fun than we could have imagined. She STILL takes more whiskey than I wine!"

“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.

On February 1, 1969, The Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart was topped by an astonishing new sound From Pop band TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS.

CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION, CRIMSON & CLOVER, MONY MONY, I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW, HANKY PANKY, DRAGGIN' THE LINE, SWEET CHERRY WINE, THREE TIMES IN LOVE And MIRAGE are just a few of the many hits from TOMMY JAMES, Singer, Songwriter And Producer.....23 GOLD SINGLES, 9 PLATINUM ALBUMS And Over 100 MILLION RECORDS SOLD WORLDWIDE and 32 BILLBOARD HOT 100 CHART HITS!

Many artists have and continue to cover his songs...PRINCE, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, BILLY IDOL, JOAN JETT, KELLY CLARKSON, DOLLY PARTON, CARLOS SANTANA, CHER, TOM JONES, and even THE BOSTON POPS. The music of Tommy James is heard in over 42 films to date, TV shows such as BREAKING BAD, CRIMINAL MINDS, THE SIMPSONS, THE GOLDBERGS and AQUARIUS have featured his music as well as numerous commercials.

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.

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.