For WHO fans everywhere, the announcement of a brand new tour means only one thing: the world’s most untameable rock band is about to deliver the goods once again. Never ones for nostalgia, singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend will be unleashing the combustible force that is The Who, with symphonic accompaniment this summer and fall in 2019. Produced by Live Nation, The Who’s North American MOVING ON! TOUR will bring their indelible brand of powerhouse rock to 29 cities beginning in May (see tour itinerary below). The kickoff date is May 7 in Grand Rapids, MI with the band wrapping up the first leg of the tour June 1 in Toronto, ON. A much-anticipated series of fall dates will launch on September 6 in St. Paul, MN and conclude on October 23 in Edmonton, AB.

Photo Credit Dirk Leunis

One of Africa’s most popular and recognized musicians, Malian guitarist Habib Koité joins Bassekou Kouyaté, master of the traditional Malian lute known as the ngoni, for a night of African blues, March 5, 2019, 8PM at the George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at tocentre.com, by phone, or in person at select Civic Theatres Toronto box office.

Habib Koité and Bassekou Kouyaté are two eminences of African music and are performing together as part of an unprecedented international tour, performing songs from their repertoire, and accompanied by the powerful voice of the Malian singer Amy Sacko.

Recognized as “the biggest pop star of Mali” by Rolling Stone and called the “African Jimmy Hendrix” thanks to his unique guitar playing, Habib Koité’s artistry and magnetic personality have made him an international star, delighting audiences the world over, and placing him firmly among the leading figures in contemporary world music.

Photo: John McDermott, Jason Fowler and Mark Lalama

Join highly-regarded Canadian tenor John McDermott for an unforgettable 3-night performance with the John McDermott Trio, which consists of John McDermott on vocals with guitarist Jason Fowler https://www.jasonfowler.ca/ and Mark Lalama (keyboards) http://www.marklalama.com/ at Toronto’s Hugh’s Room Live on Thursday, February 7, Friday, February 8, and Saturday, February 9. Each show begins at 8:30pm and will be $40 in advance, $45 at the door. For more information, visit www.hughsroomlive.com.

As is John’s tradition, he will be giving a captivating and engaging performance filled with tasteful remembrance tributes, songs from his illustrious career, and many highlights from his own personal songbook.

MDM Recordings Inc. is thrilled to announce the newest addition to their award-winning roster – chart-topping three-time JUNO Awards nominee Don Amero. An award-winning storyteller, singer, songwriter and performer, Amero has been playing live and engaging audiences across Canada for more than a decade – connecting effortlessly with fans wherever he goes and sharing messages of encouragement, positivity, and beauty.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Don and his manager Laurie Brown to the MDM Recordings Family,” shares Mike Denney, President of MDM. “I’ve known Don for years and have seen him perform a few times, but his performance at the 2018 CCMA Awards industry luncheon in Hamilton was the ‘moment’ that sealed the deal for me in terms of wanting to partner and work with him. A true Gentleman, an exceptionally talented artist and a great performer, I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for Don."

Festival-goers will have a chance to get a sneak preview of what’s in store at the 17^th ANNUAL WINTERFOLK BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL when some of the finest folk, roots and blues artists will take the stage at St. Paul's United Church, 200 McIntosh St. in Scarborough, ON, on Saturday, January 19. Doors open at 7:30 pm and music starts at 8:00 pm for this event to benefit Winterfolk. Presented by Winterfolk XVII Blues & Roots Festival along with Lillian Wauthier, Artistic Director of Acoustic Harvest, the event will include Cassie & Maggie, Donné Roberts, Ori Dagan, Shake the Bellows, Ken Yoshioka, Alana & Leigh Cline and Brian Gladstone & Tony Quarrington. Folks will also be able to purchase Festival weekend wristbands for half price at only $10, at the event.

It is that time of year again when Toronto prepares for their annual music festivals. One of the great ones that are truly supportive of the indie acts who are not signed to a major label is Indie Week.

This year the event is November 13-17, 2019, and has various locations for live shows, panels, mentoring and much more.  The folks at Indie Week are offering a discount until January 15, 2019, and you can apply here to perform: http://indieweek.com/iwcan/apply

Indie Week features:

• VIP Launch Party
• Indie Week Awards
• Indie101 Music + Tech conference
• Health & Wellness Day
• Industry mixers
• Demo Listening Sessions
• Industry Panels
• Mentorships + More!

The Opportunity
Indie Week Canada has become one of Canada’s premiere indie music festivals showcasing acts from all over the world in front of music industry professionals.

Many people know of Lisa though her amazing work supporting the music of others nationally and internationally. Lisa was also Hugh's Room’s first publicist from 2001-2008, and has worked on management/publicity for the much missed Taylor Mitchell, Mose Scarlett, the Andrew Collins Trio, April Verch, Kiran Ahluwalia, Anne Lindsay, Qristina & Quinn Bachand, Jon Brooks, Enoch Kent, Jaffa Road, Art Garfunkel, ArtsCan Circle, a fundraiser for the Mariposa Folk Fest and a host of other wonderful artists in our midst. Before working with musicians, she was communications coordinator at ARCH, a legal resource centre for persons with disabilities.

Lisa is dealing with a recent diagnosis of aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer. She has had to scale back on her work at a time when her expenses are much higher dealing with all this. Her supplements and medicine, plus transportation to and from all her treatments and scans have made navigating this difficult journey even harder.

Richard Carpenter in Studio with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

History was made as The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame officially began honoring songs in addition to music artists at the 33rd annual induction ceremony in Cleveland's Public Auditorium, immortalizing six singles.

"Little Steven" Van Zandt, introduced the new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Singles ‘song’ category stating "A recognition of the excellence of the singles that shaped rock 'n' roll, kind of a rock 'n' roll jukebox, records by artists not in the Rock Hall - which is not to say these artists will never be in the Rock Hall. They just are not in the Rock Hall at the moment." We say, “well said Little Steven!”

One of the most beloved concerts on the seasonal circuit, the Barra MacNeils East Coast Christmas features a highly entertaining mix of traditional seasonal fare along with entertaining stories and new musical twists; stamped with their lush harmonies and intricate instrumental stylings. Their show has been touring nationally, as well as in the U.S, for years to sold-out houses. Fans can look forward to classic favorites including O Holy Night, Ave Maria, Christmas in Killarney and Auld Lang Syne as well as some comedy, seasonal stories, music, singing, dance and memories that will extend beyond the season and last a lifetime.

The Barra MacNeils are widely regarded as one of the greatest live concert acts in the Celtic world. Their live performance offers a depth of talent that includes multiple lead vocalists, beautiful sibling harmonies, a top-drawer instrumental talent on a wide variety of acoustic, stringed, percussion and wind instruments blended with dancing, storytelling, humor and Gaelic songs. It is family entertainment at the highest level.

On November 25, 2018, SaskMusic presented the winners of the 2018 Saskatchewan Music Awards with a live event held at The Exchange, Regina. A capacity crowd was in attendance for the debut event. The awards kick off the week designated as Saskatchewan Music Week in the province by the Government of Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Music Awards were created to honour excellence and celebrate the achievements of our music industry members.

Award show hosts Kris Alvarez and Jayden Pfeifer led the evening, with performances by artists Andino Suns, Megan Nash, Eekwol and T-Rhyme, Chris Henderson with Poor Nameless Boy, Natural Sympathies, and Factor Chandelier.

There are entertainment legends, and then there is Tom Jackson, a triple-threat actor, musician, and activist whose achievements in each discipline are downright head-spinning. Jackson’s career is unparalleled, not to mention wildly acclaimed, abundantly decorated, and almost ridiculously interesting. Heck, Jackson could be a pub night trivia category all by himself.

Tom Jackson will be performing at Harbourfront Centre on December 4 as part of his cross-Canada Huron Carole tour, benefitting Feed It Forward and The Stop.

The Huron Carole is a seasonal music tradition spanning  3 decades touring from coast to coast to coast. Expect an evening of contemporary and signature Christmas music along with stories creatively crafted by Tom Jackson and his ensemble of musicians. The tour travels to 15 cities raising funds for local food banks and family service agencies. Many remark that it’s the perfect way to begin their Christmas season and get into the spirit of the holidays.

Roy Clark has left the stage and has gone on to his next appearance, joining an illustrious group in heaven that includes Chet Atkins and his buddy Glen Campbell. The  multi-leveled entertainer died at his Tulsa, Oklahoma, home due to complications from pneumonia. Roy Linwood Clark was born April 15, 1933, in Meherrin, Virginia and was the oldest of five children. He was 85 years old.

Scott Cushnie, known as Professor Piano, went missing in August 2018, and for months his close friends, family and musical peers all executed search parties, plastering much of the area that he went missing a King and River Street to no avail.

Around the same time another family was trying to find a missing relative and in the bizarre case of mistaken identity, that family was subsequently contacted by the authorities regarding an elderly man who had died in hospital, after falling and injuring himself while walking downtown. The family identified the deceased as their missing relative and a funeral was held. But this past month, the man they believed they had buried reappeared — alive — leaving the police and chief coroner to determine the true identity of the body in the grave. With a strange twist, it was determined it was actually the beloved Professor Piano who was buried in error.

Ottawa’s Tribe Royal have had an incredible 2018, and what better way to be closing out a successful year than by performing in your hometown with family, friends and fans.

November 30, 2018, Tribe Royal is set to take the stage with special guests Drae & Six Points North.

The year was definitely one that had this local Canadian band garnering attention worldwide. First on the agenda was going to the legendary Muscle Shoals, Alabama studio, The Nutthouse (engineered by Jimmy Nutt himself) work with legendary producer, Norbert Putnam. Putnam, who has a credit list a mile long brought out the best in the band, producing a Double A side release of Holding On listen here https://youtu.be/uNRGrysoPq0 and Good to Me listen here https://youtu.be/qz_LraJXxf0).

The multiplatinum-selling recording artist, actress, producer and entertainer JENNIFER LOPEZ shares a new anthem entitled “LIMITLESS” from her forthcoming film, Second Act from STXfilms – HERE via Sony Music Masterworks.

Second Act opens in theaters nationwide on December 21 with “Limitless” emphasizing the powerful message of the movie – the only thing stopping you is you.

“LIMITLESS” spotlights Lopez’s instantly recognizable show-stopping voice and undeniable charisma. Penned by Sia, “Limitless” is song with soaring vocals and music that delivers a timely, empowering, and inspiring message.

Sarah French, a long-time supporter of Canadian blues & roots artists is pleased to announce that she will be awarded the Keeping the Blues Alive Award from Memphis-based, world-renowned Blues Foundation in January 2019. French is the 13th Canadian recipient of the KBA since the award’s inception in 1981.

French, 40, started her boutique publicity agency, Sarah French Publicity as a part-time venture a decade ago with one client, a handful of contacts and the support of her mentor, Richard Flohil. Since then she has grown the company to become one of the busiest blues & roots publicity agencies in Canada. “I am honoured and extremely grateful to The Blues Foundation and all involved for this award,” she says. “I am also eternally thankful to Richard Flohil, Derek Andrews, Holger Petersen, The Toronto Blues Society, my friends & family, and the scores of musicians and record labels who have supported me and given me the opportunity to do what I love for a living.”

From The Blues Foundation:

Taking Back Sunday has unveiled the track listing and format details for their 20-year anniversary compilation, Twenty. The 21-song collection will be released on January 11, 2019, and spans all seven of their full-length albums; 2002’s Tell All Your Friends, 2004’s Where You Want To Be, 2006’s Louder Now, 2009’s New Again, 2011’s Taking Back Sunday, 2014’s Happiness Is and 2016’s Tidal Wave.

The set also features two new studio recordings, All Ready To Go and A Song For Dan, tracks which hint at the direction that Taking Back Sunday are heading in the coming years. Available via Craft Recordings, Twenty will be released on CD, digital, and a 2-LP gatefold vinyl package. The album can be pre-ordered now, with an instant grat of All Ready To Go available on November 19th.

Sony global recorded music revenues surpassed $2.87bn in the first nine months of 2018 – up by $158m, or 5.8%, on the same period of 2017.

That’s according to MBW’s calculations based on Sony Corp’s newly-published results for its fiscal Q2 (calendar Q3), converted into USD at constant currency.

As well as that 5.8% overall rise in revenues, streaming revenues were up $300.1m (+26%) year-on-year to $1.46bn during the Jan-Sept 2018 period.

Physical revenues dropped $114.4m (-14.6%) to $669m in the nine-month period, while download sales dropped $58.8m (-16.6%) to $295m.

On the same USD constant currency basis, Sony’s recorded music revenues in the past quarter (to end of September 2018) fell slightly year-on-year, down 3.8% to $945.9m.

That was partly due to an accounting adjustment made by the company versus 2017, and partly due to growth in streaming not quite offsetting double-digit declines in quarterly physical and download revenues.

He had a cult-like following and a sound like none other. Now, legendary Canadian “anti-star” Nash The Slash also has a documentary about him.

Toronto- and Ottawa-based filmmaking and production studio Side Three Media today launches a crowdfunding campaign in support of the 2019 release of And You Thought You Were Normal: A Documentary Film About Nash The Slash.

Through extensive interviews, archival footage and exclusive, rare imagery, audiences journey through Nash’s inimitable contribution to Canadian culture, including how and why this outsider artist commanded such strong international appeal, and why his work remains relevant to today’s new generation of music lovers.