Robert Knight has sadly passed away at the age of 72.

The legendary singer was known world-wide for his hit song “Everlasting Love.”
Robert Knight, who recorded the first version of ‘Everlasting Love’, one of the biggest songs to come out of Nashville, died Sunday, November 5, 2017 after a short illness.

He was born Robert Peebles in Franklin on April 24, 1945.

As young man, he was a member of the Fairlanes and sang lead for the Paramounts before becoming a solo artist.

In 1967, while performing during a fraternity party at Vanderbilt University, Mac Gayden heard "this voice coming from the Kappa Sigma House." He ran over there and met Knight as he was coming off the stage. "He didn't want to talk to me, but I gave him my card," Gayden remembered. Gayden introduced Knight to Buzz Cason, who signed Knight to Rising Sons Music, and they began working on an album.

Cason and Gayden had written a song called ‘The Weeper’, which they thought would be Knight's breakout hit. But then he cut another Cason/Gayden composition: ‘Everlasting Love’. It was, Gayden said, the last song cut during the session, "kind of like a throwaway tune."

The 51st CMA Awards were held on November 8, 2017, with a spectacular show at the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville.It was an emotional show allowing the songs and artists to use the powerful genre to focus on unifying the country through country music during a year rampant with gun violence, hurricanes, floods and a divisive political climate.

Garth Brooks took home the night's top honor of Entertainer of the Year for the sixth time in his career although it was not without controversy as Brooks admitted post-show to lip-synching his performance due to a bad throat. Brooks explained, "We made a game-time call on whether to sing to a track or lip-sync. And we decided to lip-sync it. My voice just isn't going anywhere and we wanted to represent country music the best we can." Brooks won out over Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan and Eric Church. Brothers Osborne and Chris Stapleton were the night's most-awarded performers, with two wins each.

Submitted to Cashbox Canada
 

The Rubens return with new single, Million Man (via Ivy League Records) – a soulful, groove-fuelled track, that follows on where their now certified platinum, #1 triple j’s hottest 100 single, Hoops, left off.

The story of Million Man begins at 2013’s Laneway Music Festival, where The Rubens befriended NYC rapper, EL-P (Run The Jewels) and his band, which included his Run The Jewels producers/collaborators, brothers, Wilder Zoby and Little Shalimar (aka Torbitt Schwartz).

After a few nights spent drinking in New York at a bar that Torbitt and Wilder co-owned, it seemed their effortless friendship could lead to a pretty interesting musical collaboration.

2017 and those musings became reality when both producers flew out from the bustling streets of New York City to the band’s newly created recording studio, housed in a World War II communications bunker in the outskirts of Camden in Sydney’s deep South West.

Funk Legend of the hit song ‘Boogie Nights’ passed away on October 29, 2017, at the age of 68. The unconfirmed cause of death was a massive heart attack.

Keith Edward Wilder was a vocalist for the legendary funk band Heatwave. Formed in 1975 by Wilder’s brother Johnnie Wilder, Jr., Heatwave hits included "Boogie Nights," "Always and Forever" and "The Groove Line."It was 40 years ago at this time that Heat Wave was climbing to #2 on the pop chart with this disco-dance smash.

In London during the mid-1970’s Johnnie Wilder, Jr. and Rod Temperton (both who have passed away 2006 and 2016 respectively) with several other musicians including Keith came together and created music history. The group has changed musician members over the years. Napoleon Eugene Phillips, Elliot Levine, Keith Busey, Geno Myers, Nathan Watson, Ignatius Mason, Byron Byrd, Donavan Blackwood and my longtime friend ElWarren Weatherspoon (World-Class Drummer) affectionately known in the industry as “Spoon”.

Antione “Fats” Domino, one of the most influential rock and roll performers of the 1950s and 60s, has died at the age of 89.

He was best known for his songs ‘Ain't That A Shame’, ‘I’m Walkin’ and ‘Blueberry Hill’ and sold more than 65 million records, outselling every 1950’s rock and roll acts with the exception of  Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley once referred to Fats Domino as "the real king of rock n roll" and Paul McCartney reportedly wrote the Beatles song ‘Lady Madonna’ in Fats’ style of piano playing. He was one of the first rhythm and blues artists to gain popularity with a white audience and his music was most prolific in the 1950s.

Domino had 11 US Top 10 hits and his music was a big influence on artists during the 1960s and 70s.

He was one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, but by then he would no longer leave New Orleans, not even to accept the award.

Fellow New Orleans-born musician and actor Harry Connick Jr. paid tribute to Domino on Twitter, saying he had "helped pave the way for New Orleans piano players".

On October 27, 2017 Rhye released another new song entitled Taste. The new single is available now on iTunes, Spotify, and Apple Music via Last Gang Records, and will be featured on the group’s much anticipated sophomore album, due for release in early 2018. The forthcoming album follows Rhye’s debut, Woman, which was released in 2013 to wide critical acclaim. Sonically, Taste is reflective of the band’s evolving live show as the group gears up for extensive touring next year.

On “Chow Chow Eyyy Pow Pow” - Monsieur Job, fuse diverse talents by inviting artists such as; Marty of No Mercy, Kiño, Luis Carlos Toro, Alejandro Gomes Caceres, Sarah Sophia, Elemece, Thiago, Christian Gimenez, Vojke Djans, Diego Caceres, Oscar Moncada, Denis Dzigal, Cholo, Vick D, Mc Lions & Bingi, Kid Corrupt, Dave Floyd, Nacho Alvarez, Pablo Bendov and Aldo Cadiz therefore mixing a variation of many styles recreating genres like Reggaetón Electronica, Dancehall, Reggae, Dub, Tropical House, Rock, Chill Out, Rap, Trap, Hip Hop, Worship, and Son Montuno involving Afro Cuban and African Succu rhythms.

Canadian singer-songwriter Jason Benoit has announced that he has signed a deal with U.S. management company, D & D Endeavors. D & D Endeavors will represent Benoit in the U.S. and worldwide. In 2015 Benoit won the inaugural Canadian Country Music Association Discovery Atlantic Award and his highest charting single "Gone Long Gone" reached no. 7 on the Canadian Country Billboard Charts.

"I am so excited to have Doni and David representing me," says Benoit. "It's always been a dream of mine to pursue an international music career and I can't think of anyone else who I'd like better to take me to the next level of my career than D & D."

"Lifted Away" - the new video from Joseph - premiered on October 13, 2017 on NYLON.com and can be seen HERE. The song is from the band's new EP, Stay Awake (ATO Records).

The video is essentially a journal entry, documenting the two-day period in August 2017 that Joseph spent recording Stay Awake with long-time collaborator Andrew Stonestreet, who co-wrote several tracks on the band's 2016 album, I'm Alone, No You're Not, which spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart and was voted as one of the year's top albums by NPRlisteners.

Natalie Schepman, who founded Joseph with her two sisters, Allison Closner and Meegan Closner, directed the "Lifted Away" video.

She says, "It features photos Alicia Watkinson took of us at the recording studio and a few home videos of moments where music took us to faraway places - a carnival in Sweden, a stage at Glastonbury, on TV in New York City. All of life's little glories can get blurry. Everything rushes by and suddenly you're a spectator of your own life. This song is like the 'You are here' on a map for us, a chance to pause."

Sony Music has announced the release of WONDERSTRUCK (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) with an original score by Academy Award-nominated composer Carter Burwell (CAROL, FARGO).

The soundtrack will be released on October 20th, 2017. The film will be released in Canada on October 27th, 2017.

Based on Brian Selznick's critically acclaimed novel, in WONDERSTRUCK Ben and Rose are children from two different eras who secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known, while Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his home and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out on quests to find what they are missing that unfold with mesmerizing symmetry.

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.