When I did the interview on The Fimisters for the cover story on July 23, 2017 (http://cashboxcanada.ca/8473/fimisters-playpauseresume)  I sat down with Basil Wood and Cory Gauvin to discuss their reunion, the release of their second album and all things in between over lunch.  I left that meeting with a great feeling of nostalgia and wanting to see these guys play again!

On September 16, 2017, I got that chance.  The Fimisters played live at their CD release party in Belleville, On.  They were joined by another local band from Trenton, Ontario, Moon Sugar, who opened for them at The Belleville Club.  A small venue that holds about 150 people.
It felt like old home weekend for me, as I had convinced my best friend from high school, Christine to come join me for the weekend and we got together with some great friends from our past.

Sony Music proudly has released of BATTLE OF THE SEXES (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) with the score of Academy Award-nominee composer Nicholas Britell, and an original song by Grammy and Tony nominee Sara Bareilles and composer Nicholas Britell.

After a highly successful summer tour that highlighted shows with Marianas Trench, a showcase at Carleton University and the brand new Sawdust City Music Festival in Gravenhurst, the Julian Taylor Band’s on the road again. Ontario dates include some of the band’s favourite spots at Owen Sound, Newmarket, Hamilton, London, Ottawa and Corbyville.

Self-described as “pilgrims of funk, soul ‘n’ roll,” the Julian Taylor Band makes music as eclectic and all-encompassing as their taste will allow. They move effortlessly between vintage soul, tasty funk, tender balladry, indie rock, and even the occasional foray into social comment, solo acoustic, reggae and psychedelia – all done expertly. Leading the band, Taylor boasts a drop-dead killer voice, impressive guitar work, and a knack for writing catchy, earworm choruses – all of which pegs him as an authentic, eclectic talent for anyone’s palate.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

Canadian-Mexican artist, Boogát, has unveiled the new video for his track, Mezcalero Feliz,
which premiered via Ici Musique.

The song is from his forthcoming album, San Cristobal Baile Inn, set for release on October 6 via Maisonnette Music, and will be available for pre-order on September 29. This fall, Boogát will hit the road to share his new songs, performing across Ontario and Quebec, with stops in Brooklyn, NY and Guadalajara, Mexico. See below for a list of dates, with more to be announced.

Mezcalero Feliz draws inspiration from Mezcal, the drink, and its storied traditions. It provides a window into the millennium of the Mezcalillero & Mezcolatra lifestyle. The song borrows and reworks numerous Mexican folk sayings that celebrate Mezcal, whileMezcalero Feliz shines through its modern interpretation of a song style usually reserved for traditional Mexican music. The song is the second single from San Cristobal Baile Inn, following Eres Una Bomba

Organizer and Producer of the Beach Celtic Festival Sandy Graham (also Cashbox Canada’s Editor in Chief) has announced the musician and founder of Old Man Flanagan’s Ghost will be the Beach Celt of the Year for 2017. “Steve Lamb is the perfect choice for the Beach Celt of the Year 2017. His efforts to continue to promote Celtic heritage is tireless and his support of the Beach Celtic Festival year after year is well appreciated.”

With heritage tracing back to Enneskillen, Ireland, and with a father who created a cassette tape of Irish music and played with a group called the Molloy Show Band,  there is no cookie-cutter description that can be given to this songwriter's contributions.  With influences from several musical genres and  decades, and a passion for writing, he creates clear imagery and elicits emotion through vivid and imaginative storytelling within his original songs.  Taught guitar by his father, he has been singing in front of crowds for decades.  His voice has been described as deep, warm and powerful.

On August 31, 2017, A Tribe Called Red released the captivating360° virtual reality music video for their single, Indian City. 

"With the goal of looking forward to where technology, creativity and arts is moving to in Canada, SESQUI brought together artists from across disciplines and geographies to create a suite of immersive filmmaking stories, included on a free-for-download Virtual Reality app called MERIDIAN,” comments Andrea Stewart, Executive Producer, SESQUI. “We were elated and honoured to have been able to collaborate with the innovative DJ crew & producers of A Tribe Called Red to bring to life Indian City in interactive VR and plunge viewers into a world of music and dance they help to mix."

The concept of the video was developed during a conversation between Nyla Innuksuk and Tribe’s Bear Witness, while Nyla was visiting the group in Toronto. They filmed on location at the Fort York National Historic Site and were able to film two videos in one day; the 2D version was shot in between takes with the 360 camera.

Bruce Cockburn has announced the September 15, 2017 release of his first full-length album in seven years, Bone On Bone (True North Records). The release coincides with his induction into the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame, and the launch of his longest touring schedule in decades.

Few recording artists are as creative and prolific as Bruce Cockburn. Since his self-titled debut in 1970, the Canadian singer-songwriter has issued a steady stream of acclaimed albums every couple of years. But that output suddenly ran dry in 2011 following the release of Small Source of Comfort. There were good reasons for the drought. For one thing, Cockburn became a father again with the birth of his daughter Iona. Then there was the publication of his 2014 memoir Rumours of Glory.

“I didn’t write any songs until after the book was published because all my creative energy had gone into three years of writing it,” Cockburn explains, from his home in San Francisco. “There was simply nothing left to write songs with. As soon as the book was put to bed, I started asking myself whether I was ever going to be a songwriter again.”

Skip Prokop, co-founder of Canadian band Lighthouse, has died. He was 74. Prokop had been living with a heart condition and was reportedly ill for some time.

Born Ronald Harry Prokop, the Hamilton native had his first taste of success with Canadian psychedelic rock band the Paupers in the early 1960s. After the group broke up, Prokop was a session musician for industry heavyweights including Carlos Santana, Janis Joplin and folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary.

Prokop co-founded Lighthouse in 1968 with jazz pianist and film composer Paul Hoffert. They teamed with guitarist Ralph Cole and some 10 other musicians from the jazz, rock and classical world.

Folk pop band, A Fellow Ship, has announced their eastern Canada tour. Kicking off in Ottawa on September 19th at Avant Garde Bar, the band will be sharing songs off their upcoming new EP, which is set for release this fall. Full details can be found below.

“We've been working for years to develop music and a live performance that we are truly proud of,” says Joe Dent, lead vocalist and guitarist. “This release and Canadian tour is the first time we feel ready to make our mark on the world and we couldn't be more excited.”

A Fellow Ship is a folk pop band from Toronto. A tight group of friends who play lively original tunes, which will make you want to get on your feet and dance. Their combined love for music and good company has evolved into a mighty clash of folk, pop, jazz, funk, and soul. The band released their self-titled debut EP in June 2015.

Submitted by Cashbox Canada
Photo: Sonny Burgess, performing at the Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville in 2015

Rockabilly singer, songwriter and guitarist Sonny Burgess passed away on August 18, 2017 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Burgess made his career when he became one of Sam Phillips/Sun Records' stars, with signatory whoops and howls all along accompanied by his furious guitar.

Born May 28, 1929, Burgess was raised on a farm near Newport, Arkansas. He grew up listening to shows from the Grand Ole Opry, and started out playing with friends in local bars and dance halls in a band they called The Rocky Road Ramblers. His original dream was to be a professional baseball player, but after a couple of years spent in the minor leagues, Burgess entered the U.S. Army, and served in West Germany during the Korean War. After advice from Sun record producer Sam Phillips, the group expanded to form the Pacers, at first called the Newport Pacers. Burgess was sharing dates with the likes of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

Marketing, promotions and PR firm, The AristoMedia Group has announced two redefined positions. This announcement is released in conjunction with the rebranding of AristoMedia’s digital department.

Formally known as AristoWorks, the rebranded digital department is now AristoDigital. The continued goal for AristoDigital is to provide first-class digital marketing, content promotion, influencer engagement, online advertising, SEO, building websites, and design & development services to clients.

Casey Childers has been named Brand & Creative Coordinator. Childers will focus on providing artistic direction for branding & promotion, content curation and strategy, and digital advertising. A graduate of the University of North Alabama, Childers earned a dual degree in entertainment industries and marketing. Childers interned at Bluewater Music before joining AristoMedia’s digital team in April 2016. Childers can be reached at casey@aristomedia.com.

Multi-media, modern rock band, Starset, recently passed the 1 billion milestone total views on YouTube with their official videos and User Generated Content (UGC) videos combined. The band’s cinematic sound and rabid fan-base have driven huge numbers at the video streaming service with fans uploading an unprecedented amount of their own videos using the band’s music, giving the band, led by singer, Dustin Bates, an unparalleled digital foothold. Starset’s stronghold at radio has added to this ascension with the band’s first single from new album, Vessels, Monster, currently the #2 most played song of the year at mainstream rock.

Starset tapped into powerful YouTube communities including anime and gaming, which are much larger than that of music on the platform. Many fan-uploaded Starset videos have hit multi-million views and YouTube data shows Starset videos gaining nearly two million new views per day. With only two albums released to date, Starset has exceeded the total view counts of most other contemporary rock bands and have views in the same league as the Foo Fighters, Muse, Bring Me the Horizon and AWOLNATION.

\When I got the word that Glen Campbell had passed away my reaction wasn’t the same as when I heard of other passings. When Glenn Frey passed I was shocked, when George Jones and Merle Haggard passed I was sad, when Canadian teen idol and friend Bobby Curtola passed I was devastated. But when I heard about Glen Campbell passing the first word that came to mind was finally, finally free from the grip of that horrible disease Alzheimer’s. I was also terribly sad and nostalgic to hear but felt a great relief for him and his family. The last days of his life he couldn’t speak, communicate or interact in any way. Who knows for sure what was going on in his head. His family released a statement on his website “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and legendary singer and guitarist, Glen Travis Campbell, at the age of 81, following his long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease … In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Glen Campbell Memorial Fund at Bright Focus Foundation through the CareLiving.org donation page.”

Severn Records announces an October 6 release date for The Last Shade of Blue Before Black, the new album from the legendary Original Blues Brothers Band, featuring guitarist Steve Cropper and sax player “Blue Lou” Marini, with special guests Eddie Floyd, Joe Louis Walker, Paul Shaffer, Dr. John, Matt “Guitar” Murphy and Joe Morton.

“Had anyone told me in 1978 that in 2017 I would still be traveling around the world and playing with the Blues Brothers’ Band, I would have said they were out of their minds,” says “Blue Lou” Marini. “But, amazingly here we are with a new CD and still playing all over the world. This album is a true labor of love and I’m so proud of the organic way it came about. We really wanted to honor our history and to include some of our favorite musicians that we’ve worked with and loved over the years. We have the legends, Eddie Floyd and Dr. John, plus our original band leader, Paul Shaffer and the great bluesman Joe Louis Walker.

Music Canada has recently unveiled new updates to their Album Award protocol, which will now include digital song sales and stream count equivalents towards new certifications. This new development has had huge implications towards Open Road Recording’s overall roster, deeming five albums certified Gold, and one album has become certified Triple Platinum.

“It’s exciting to see digital analytics now taken into account, and the numbers overall speak to the success of the country genre when it comes to streaming and downloads. We are so proud to see Dean add 3 Gold Albums to his long list of accolades, as well as Tim Hicks, High Valley and Johnny Reid,” said Ron Kitchener, Founder of RGK Entertainment.

The following albums have been added to the overall totals:

GOLD:
· Dean Brody – Trail In Life
· Dean Brody – Crop Circles
· Dean Brody – Gypsy Road
· Tim Hicks – Throw Down
· High Valley – County Line

TRIPLE PLATINUM:
· Johnny Reid – Dance With Me

Credit Wikipedia

Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers were a soul band from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. The group recorded for the Gordy Records (division of Motown Records) in 1968, where they had a top 30 hit single, "Does Your Mama Know About Me". As a producer and solo artist, Bobby Taylor contributed to several other soul recordings, both inside and outside of Motown. Taylor is most notable for discovering and mentoring The Jackson 5. Tommy Chong was a member of Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers before he became famous as a comedian.

Bobby Taylor, born February 18, 1934 in Washington, DC, was raised in Washington. As a young man, he moved to New York City and sang in doo-wop groups with singers who later joined successful acts such as Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers and Little Anthony and the Imperials.[1] In 1958 he began his music career as a member of The Four Pharaohs, who released a few locally-selling recordings in the Columbus, Ohio area.

As fans eagerly followed weeks of speculation of exciting artist announcements, Jones & Jones Productions Ltd has revealed the full lineup for JAMBANATM One World Festival 2017. Returning to the Markham Fair Grounds, 10801 McCowan Road in Markham, ON, Sunday, August 6 and Monday, August 7, Canada’s festival devoted to reggae and world music will feature two days of music from over 35 globally acclaimed music, comedy and dance acts.

This year's legendary roster welcomes a diverse range of fan favorites and newcomers, including Wayne Wonder, Culture, 5-time JUNO Award winner Exco Levi, Leroy Sibbles, Half Pint, Dancehall giant Assassin and more.

Tickets for the 8th annual gathering are on sale now and at the door - $20 advance, $25 at the door, children under 5 are free, and children 5-10 years of age are $5. VIP tickets are $50 in advance and $55 at the door. Children’s VIP are $35. Services charges apply

Just released - legendary punk band Descendents share their video for “Without Love.” The emotionally charged track appears on 2016’s Hypercaffium Spazzinate—the band’s first album in 12 years.

Watch the video for “Without Love” here: https://youtu.be/NlA3HrmnNGM

Partially animated—and co-starring the classic Milo cartoon—“Without Love” captures moments from Descendents’ kinetic live show. The video also features behind-the-scenes footage from the band’s recent tours, complete with backstage badminton.

“Without Love” is the first proper video from Hypercaffium Spazzinate, which was released in July 2016. The heavy-hearted but anthemic song was mainly written by drummer Bill Stevenson, with its lyrics alluding to some major health troubles he suffered years ago.

The National Music Centre (NMC) is pleased to launch a new temporary exhibition honouring iconic Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang.

The exhibition, called Big, Big Love: k.d. lang on Stage, will be in the National Bank Private Banking 1859 Special Exhibitions Gallery on Level 5 of Studio Bell, and trace the versatile performer’s evolution as one of Canada’s most-loved artists.

“Working on this exhibition with NMC made me look back a bit on my life as a performance artist challenging norms, and how my evolving style became just as important as the performance itself,” said k.d. lang. “I hope the public enjoys the exhibition as much as I’ve enjoyed performing in those pieces and playing those instruments over my career. I can’t think of a place more suited than Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, to preserve those memories and share them with my fans.”

In the tightknit musical community of Austin, Texas, it’s tough to get away with posturing. You either bring it, or you don’t.

If you do, word gets around. And one day, you find yourself dueting with Bonnie Raitt or standing onstage with the Allman Brothers at New York’s Beacon Theater and trading verses with Susan Tedeschi. You might even wind up getting nominated for a Best Blues Album Grammy — three times in a row. And those nominations would be in addition to your seven Blues Music Awards, three Austin Music Awards, the Grand Prix du Disque award from the Académie Charles-Cros in France, and a Living Blues Critics’ Award for Female Blues Artist of the Year.

There’s only one Austinite with that résumé: Ruthie Foster.