The Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA), presented by Word Media Group Inc with support from TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment and the Department of Canadian Heritage brings its annual Black History Month Showcase to the City of Toronto Archives - 255 Spadina Rd, Toronto - on Thursday, February 5, 2026, offering a special day of music, conversation, and cultural celebration rooted in Black Canadian excellence.

BARRY HAUGEN, a pioneer of the Canadian Country Music scene, passed away, December 1, 2025. He was 84. Born July 6, 1941 in Osage, SK, Barry Haugen entered the music world as a radio deejay at CFCW in Camrose, Alberta. He later re-located to Toronto. Ontario.

Barry Haugen is renowned for his many years as a Promotional and Artist & Repertoire executive with RCA Canada (BMG). During his many years with the label Barry Haugen provided his promotional expertise with the label's Nashville based touring acts Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, etc; as well as handling the national promotion of Canadian Country stars Hank Snow, Carroll Baker, Family Brown, Tommy Hunter, Ronnie Prophet, The Good Brothers, Dick Damron, The Mercey Brothers, and many others.

“My first record I ever purchased – the 45 of The Harder They Come.”

Reggae Legend Jimmy Cliff, a/k/a James Chambers has died at the age of 81.

The passing of Jimmy Cliff signals the end of an era. Jimmy Cliff made history bringing reggae to the world:

• The Immortal Eternal Prince Buster who worked with Millie Small.
• Mille Small “My Boy Lollipop”. UK # 2 / US #2 Billboard.
• Jimmy Cliff was the statesman and face, sound of Reggae before Bob Marley and the Wailers.
• Jimmy Cliff took reggae to the World’s Fair in NYC in 1964, the same year Millie Small had her hit record, “My Boy Lollipop”.

Jimmy Cliff alone was the one who took reggae to the world and made it famous for decades, He raised the awareness of reggae music worldwide Jimmy Cliff had hits and a timeless film “The Harder They Come “.

Chuck Profus, legendary speed/thrash metal drummer & founding member of AGENT STEEL/OBSCENE GESTURE passed away quietly at his Los Angeles home at the young age of 61 on June 4, 2025. Rob Hill, Producer/Engineer went across the street from the studio to check in on Chuck because he was concerned that he had not heard from him, only to find out he had passed away on the floor of his living room. No cause of death has been determined as of this announcement.

Roberta Flack, who had a dozen top 40 hits, has passed away at the age of 88. She had 3 #1's with "Feel Like Makin' Love," "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and by far her biggest single, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." My thanks to radio friend Marty Green for tipping me off about this news.

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was first recorded for Flack's 1969 LP "First Take" but initially went nowhere. Then the song was featured in the Clint Eastwood movie "Play Misty For Me" and the rest was music history. The song went to #1 pop for six weeks and became the #1 single for the entire year of 1972

Ewan McCall wrote "First Time" and Peter, Paul and Mary first recorded the song in 1965. Elvis Presley also recorded the song eventually although his version never charted. In recent days, we've also had singers Jerry Butler and Gwen McCrae also passed away.

For more on Robert Flack visit: robertaflack.com

38 Music Technology Companies, 25 Master Classes and Workshops, Song Reviews, Yogi The Producer and more at  IMSTA FESTA Toronto 2024

Amy Louie Grossman’s Music Scholarship Now Open For Toronto Musicians
Fundraiser Event to Announce Winner Scheduled for October 8th, 2024
Grossman’s Tavern is excited to announce that applications for the Amy Louie Grossman’s Music Scholarship (ALGMS) are now officially open. The application period runs from June 10th to September 23rd, 2024. Musicians can find application details and submit their proposals at Grossman’s Tavern ALGMS.
The scholarship winner and runner-up will be revealed during a special fundraiser event on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024, at 7 PM at Grossman’s Tavern, located at 377 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON. The event will feature live performances from the winners and is set to be a memorable evening celebrating Toronto’s vibrant music scene.
Established in 2012, the Amy Louie Grossman’s Music Scholarship was created by the Louie family, owners of Grossman’s Tavern, in memory of Amy Louie, a cherished member of the family and the business. Amy’s vision was to support local musicians, and this scholarship, valued at $2,000 CAD, aims to fulfill her dream by providing vital funding to help artists further their careers.

Eric Carmen, who became an icon of early ’70s power pop as the frontman of the Raspberries (“Go All the Way”) before achieving solo success with hits like “All By Myself”, “Make Me Lose Control’, Never Gonna Fall in Love Again” and “Hungry Eyes,” has died at age 74.

From a family of Russian Jewish immigrants, Carmen was born on August 11, 1949 and grew up in Ohio, he was involved with music since early childhood. By the age of two, he was entertaining his parents with impressions of Jimmy Durante and Johnnie Ray.

By the age of three years old , he was in the Dalcroze Eurhythmics program at the Cleveland Institute of Music. At six years old, he took violin lessons from his aunt Muriel Carmen, who was a violinist in the Cleveland Orchestra. By age 11, he was playing piano and dreaming about writing his own songs. The arrival of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones altered his dream slightly.By the time he was a sophomore , Carmen was playing piano and singing in rock bands including the Fugitives, the Harlequins, the Sounds of Silence, and the Cyrus Erie.

Myles Goodwyn, singer, guitarist, writer, producer and leader of the multi-Platinum selling rock band April Wine, who shaped and directed the group from its earliest beginnings, has died today at the age of 75 at Noon Atlantic Time. No further details on cause of death, location or funeral details will be disclosed at this time. The family asks for privacy.

April Wine has sold over 10 million recordings worldwide.

Myles Goodwyn’s voice is as distinctive and immediately recognizable as his song writing skills are prolific. Myles and the other members of April Wine were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame in 2010 and Canada’s Walk Of Fame in 2023.

Goodwyn received the prestigious East Coast Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and the SOCAN National Achievement Award in 2002. In 2016 he released his memoir named, Just Between You and Me, which became an instant best seller on the Globe and Mail`s Non-Fiction List. His second book, Elvis and Tiger (fiction) was published in 2018 and was also very well received.

Multi-platinum, award-winners The Barra MacNeils were back on the road this winter of 2023 with An East Coast Christmas cross-Canada tour. The 32-city trek began November 14 in Whitehorse, Yukon and ends on December 22 at Toronto, Ontario’s legendary Massey Hall. Full routing and ticketing information is below.

The Barra MacNeils - An East Coast Christmas is a musical potpourri of traditional MacNeil family favourites gleaned from Christmas ceilidhs, midnight masses and the general festive frolic that accompanies each holiday season.

With their captivating vocals, distinctive harmonies and extraordinary musicianship, The Barra MacNeils inject new life and energy into the sights and sounds of Christmas…one moment a rousing chorus, then a hauntingly beautiful Gaelic ballad, the next a flurry of foot-stomping instrumentals, which of course pulls one then another into a step-dancing revelry.

For a delightful seasonal celebration, don’t miss An East Coast Christmas with the Barra MacNeils!

Get ready to experience an intimate & electrifying show with GOWAN, as he takes the stage live & unplugged, delivering a jaw dropping event with a performance at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa in Minett, ON, Canada. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience GOWAN's unique sound up close and personal. Don't miss out on this unforgettable event!

Gowan brings his solo career hits songs like “You're A Strange Animal”, “A Criminal Mind”, “Moonlight Desires”, “All The Lover’s In The World”….… and much more! Also, Gowan is singer/keyboardist for the legendary STYX band With songs like “Come Sail Away”, “Too Much Time On My Hands”, “ Mr Roboto,” “Fooling Yourself”, “Babe”….countless other hits.

Ticket holder can then attend the VIP AfterGlow “meet and great” Party (additional charge on top of concert ticket) and celebrate New Years Eve with Gowan, where you can mix and mingle with Gowan and other celebrities while enjoying Crystal Head Vodka, beer and wine along with Tapas. This is an exclusive and premiere afterglow party with a Rockin' DJ.

In 2024, live entertainment will reach new heights. The Feldman Agency (TFA) is teaming up with Tennis Canada to launch Toronto’s newest open-air concert venue – The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium. Perfectly located in North America’s third-largest concert market, with a surrounding population of more than 6.8 million, The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium will be home to the biggest names in music and entertainment – from country ballads and rock shows to side-splitting comedy acts and cultural showcases. The 9,000-person Bowl at Sobeys Stadium will attract chart-topping performers, offering a new home for the city’s hottest summer concerts.

“After nearly 50 years of booking our talent in some of the world’s biggest and best venues, we know what performers and fans want, and The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium has what it takes,” says Jeff Craib, CEO of TFA. “With a comparable concert business to New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, Toronto needed another outdoor concert space for both domestic and international talent. We can’t wait to open our doors in 2024 to welcome some of the world’s leading performers and thousands of their fans.”

The East Coast Music Association is proud to announce renowned East Coast artists, singer songwriter Rose Cousins and musician and CBC music host Damhnait Doyle to co-host the 36th annual East Coast Music Awards, presented by Rogers, at the Delta Prince Edward Confederation Ballroom in Charlottetown, PE, Thursday, May 2 at 8 p.m.

Tickets on sale now at ECMA.com

Following a celebratory inaugural year for the Women In Music Canada Honours, which took place this past March, WIM Canada is thrilled to open nominee submissions for the 2024 Honours. “Canada is brimming with incredible women and gender diverse music innovators,” says WIM Canada Executive Director, Robyn Stewart. “The 2024 WIM Canada Honours program will elevate incredible leaders, their projects and their successes, all wrapped up in an incredible night of networking, comradery and great music.” Nominees can be submitted through WIM Canada’s application form by the deadline (Monday, December 11, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET).

"It isn't where you come from, it's where you're going that counts." - Ella Fitzgerald

Award-winning jazz singer-songwriter Ori Dagan has captivated audiences with his distinctive bass-baritone voice and forward-thinking musical style. With a career that has earned acclaim both locally and internationally, Dagan now unveils his latest musical gem, "Going That Counts," a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. The single is now available for streaming and download on all major platforms, and last month was honoured with the Grand Prize at the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The song remains in competition, up for the Lennon prize which will be determined by a public vote in the spring of 2024.

Listen to Going That Counts (For Ella)” on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/3x6Hb9Repzxhb5wsrsGfbj

BACHMAN & BACHMAN LIVE AT THE JW MARRIOTT THE ROSSEAU MUSKOKA RESORT & SPA

Saturday, October 21, 2023 :

7:00pm Start with Zach Oliver

8:00pm with Bachman & Bachman

INFORMER, DRINKING IN L.A., MY DEFINITION OF A BOOMBASTIC JAZZ STYLE and ECHO BEACH, redefined and reimagined music in an era of ‘no rules’

Song inductions will be honoured on November 1^st in Toronto with performances during CSHF’s Legends Series, supported by the RBC Foundation through RBC Emerging Artists

The ‘80s and ‘90s ushered in a new era of music that transcended genres, introduced music experimentation and fusion, and was unapologetically rebellious. The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) is celebrating and inducting four generational and culture-defining songs co-written by Canadians, recorded by Canadians, and that have become internationally influential:

· Informer, the biggest selling reggae-rap recording in the ‘90s co-written by Darrin O’Brien aka Snow with American rapper /producer Shawn Moltke (MC Shan), Terri Moltke, and Edmond Leary

The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) and LyricFind, the world's leader in licensed lyrics, announces that they have entered a strategic partnership to ensure that all IPRS creators and publisher members with assigned rights are accounted and paid for the display of their lyrics across all of the over 100 digital platforms and clients of LyricFind. 

This major agreement was announced at All About Music on September 8, in Mumbai on the ‘Transitions in Music Publishing’ panel with Atul Churamani and the CEO of IPRS, Rakesh Nigam. Robert Singerman and Nik McLeod of LyricFind were also attending AAM on the first A2iM Music Trade Mission delegation to India. The full audience of many hitmaking and emerging Indian creators and Indian music publishing, label, media, entertainment and platform execs, offered rousing applause at the news.

Mark Wihlidal (of Mark Wihlidal and the Doctors of Music) has experienced a great amount of attention on his musical career in the last year or so, and wanted to give something back and with his close connection to Sandy Graham as an industry icon and her position as Chair of the Drive Foundation of Canada, mental health and wellness was something Mark could totally embrace.

40 Million Record Selling Band Kicks Off 6-City “Back In Overdrive” Tour September 22

Legendary guitarist and songwriter Randy Bachman is thrilled to announce the resurrection of his iconic 70s rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO). Original BTO bassist and lead vocalist C. F. "Fred" Turner is on track to start helping Randy put it all together as soon as he can.

Also joining Randy and Fred in BTO will be Randy's son, Tal, along with touring musicians Marc, Brent, and Mick.

Randy, Fred, and Tal are already writing and recording new songs and planning tours around the world. A BTO concert movie (filmed in 1976) is slated for release 2024, as is a double live album recorded that same year at Tokyo's Budokan Arena. Also on offer will be a wide range of vintage-style BTO merchandise: not just T-shirts, but belt buckles, leather bags, watches, gears, lighters, and more.

Stay tuned for more updates!