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Diwang Valdez for Billboard.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
FYI
Music News Digest: NBA Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Now Part-Owner of Hamilton's TD Coliseum
Also this week: The Canadian Country Music Association announces a new board of directors, the beloved Steve's Music Store closes all of its stores except one,
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Canadian basketball star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has now heavily invested in his hometown of Hamilton, purchasing an ownership stake in that city's downtown arena, the recently rejuvenated TD Coliseum. The facility's developer, U.S. company Oak View Group (OVG), announced the investment Monday (Feb. 9) but did not reveal any financial terms. The 18,000-seat TD Coliseum, originally Copps Coliseum and FirstOntario Centre, was renamed last year after a $300-million renovation and reopened as a music-first venue. Next month it will host the 2026 Juno Awards.
The NBA's reigning most valuable player and this week's Billboard Sports Issue cover star, the 27-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander plays for the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. His investment is made through his charitable organization, the SGA Foundation, and the partnership includes naming the Ares Atrium inside the venue, as a tribute to his son.
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"His investment reflects a desire to help position Hamilton on the world stage and bring world-class entertainment and sports to the city," touts OVG. Gilgeous-Alexander adds that "growing up in Hamilton shaped who I am, so having the opportunity to help build something special in my hometown means everything."
Hamilton City Magazine reports that the partnership will include events and programming at the arena through the SGA foundation and a new music production program for kids through the Hamilton Music Collective [HMC]. In partnership with the Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club, HMC has launched the SGA/HMC Musical Futures Production Program, funded through the 2K Foundations SGA Music Program, which will give over 250 young people the opportunity to explore music creation with mentorship by producers, film composers, recording artists and DJs.
– Long popular with musicians in multiple Canadian cities, the Montreal-based Steve's Music Store chain is undergoing major changes. Liquidation sales are currently being held in all five locations, and out of five locations — in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal — only the Montreal flagship on Saint Catherine Street will remain open. A statement on Steve’s Music Store website said the decision to undertake restructuring was “difficult” and made with a “heavy heart.”
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Industry News
The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced a new chair, executive committee, two newly re-elected and two newly appointed members to the 2025-2026 board of directors. Stepping down as chair, a position she has occupied since 2020, is Jackie Dean, who will remain a board member. Replacing her as chair is Jenn Dalen. The executive committee comprises the newly re-elected Julia Rambeau Smith fulfilling the role of vice-chair, with Kerry Martin acting as Treasurer and Madelaine Napoleone acting as secretary. Also re-elected this year is Joelle Proulx, and newly appointed members include Mary An Blom and Adam Oppenheim.
– As a recent Billboard Canada obituary professed, Hamilton drummer, raconteur, songwriter and spoken word artist Jack Pedler was a much-loved member of that city's music community (he passed away last December). He worked with a wide variety of local artists and bands, including Ray Materick and in a long stint as Teenage Head's drummer, and a large turnout is expected at a musical celebration of life event set for The Corktown on Sunday Feb. 15, from 2 pm. Those confirmed to perform include Tom & Thompson Wilson (Junkhouse), Dan Clancy (Lighthouse), Green Harbour, Trickbag, Tim Gibbons and The Swampbusters, members of the Lowdown Dirty Mojos, Rocket & the Renegades, Martin Verrall & Rosemary Stehlik, Tommy Grasley, Lynn 'Buckshot' Bebee, Matty Simpson & Justine Fischer, Lily Sazz and more. Donations at the door will go to the Bob Pedler Fund at Hamilton Musicians Guild.
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Awards News
The Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMAs) have announced the performers, concert programs, and venues for the 21st edition of the awards, taking place April 9–12, in Calgary. The 2026 CFMAs will be handed out over four distinct concerts across three of the city’s cultural venues. Every artist appearing on stage has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award.
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On April 9, Songs and Stories at the Westin Calgary Ballroom features performers including Amanda Rheaume, Claire Morrison, Guillaume Arsenault, Robert Thomas & the Sessionmen, Terra Spencer and Wyatt C. Louis. Folk Forward (April 10 at Bella Concert Hall) features AHI, Aysanabee, Boreal, Duane Andrews, Calgaréal and Yves Marchand, and the lineup for Traditional and Global Roots (April 11, Bella Concert Hall) comprises Cassie and Maggie, Garçons à Marier, Joaquin Núñez & Habana Safari, Kazdoura, Sacred Wolf Singers with Simon Wall and Scott Duncan & Luka Hall. Closing out the series is Folk for Families (April 12, National Music Centre at 11 am), an all-ages concert featuring Ginalina, James Culleton, Max Francis and Oh Clement.
Tickets and wristbands are now on sale here. The Canadian Folk Music Awards are now accepting nominations for the 2026 Unsung Hero Award, recognizing an individual whose exceptional contributions have helped sustain the Canadian folk music community.
A full list of CFMA nominees here.
Artists News
Award-winning and Polaris longlisting Halifax singer, rapper, composer and storyteller Aquakultre (a.k.a. Lance Sampson) has just released his third studio album, 1783 via Next Door Records. The typically eclectic soul, R&B, gospel and folk-fuelled album was produced by two-time Music Nova Scotia producer of the year Erin Costelo, mixed by Grammy-winner Qmillion (Robert Glasper) and mastered by multi-Grammy nominee Chris Athens (Drake), and is the follow-up to his critically-acclaimed 2023 album Don’t Trip. Featured guests on the ambitious album include Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, Linda Carvery, Gary Beals, The Sanctified Brothers and Haliey Smith. 1783 can be considered something of a concept album, as each of the 11 full-length songs and six interludes, with each track describing Black Nova Scotian history, thoughtful family stories and intergenerational reflections.
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– After opening for Mumford & Sons at arena dates last fall, highly acclaimed Montreal rockers The Barr Brothers start their North American headlining tour this week, beginning Feb. 11 at Ottawa's Bronson Centre and Feb. 12 at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. After 11 U.S. shows, they have a hometown concert at MTELUS on Feb. 28 and a Quebec City show at Imperial Bell on March 1. Tickets here. The band is touring behind its well-received new album, Let It Hiss. Stream new single "Another Tangerine" here.
– Oft dubbed 'Canada's Queen of R&B,' Jully Black has announced a 13-city national tour to mark Black History Month and Women's History Month. The Jully Black Live Experience tour kicks off on Feb. 11 in Burlington, hits Toronto on Feb. 18 and concludes March 13 in Regina. Tickets here.
Black explains that "Sometimes you go back to intimate venues to go forward in a bigger way. Smaller rooms. Bigger impact. I am bringing a full live band and background singers because live music heals." Nearly 30 years ago, Black received her first Juno nomination and award for "What It Takes" with rapper Choclair, while she received a 2026 Juno nomination for her collaboration with rappers TOBi and Saukrates on the track "Who's Driving You."
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