Music News Digest: Star-Studded Anne Murray Tribute at the Opry, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Musicians Go On Strike
This week: The Western Canadian Music Awards honour the industry, Mars Bonfire receives a lifetime achievement award and a new documentary profiles Bif Naked.
Anne Murray
On Oct. 27, Canadians k.d. lang, Michellle Wright and a star-studded list of major American country stars are gathering in Nashville to honour Anne Murray. The Canadian pop and country icon will also be on hand to participate in The Music of My Life: An All-Star Tribute to Anne Murray, set for country music shrine the Opry House, host venue of the legendary Grand Ole Opry show.
The U.S. stars appearing will include Trisha Yearwood, Pam Tillis, Martina McBride, Randy Travis, Brenda Lee, Lorrie Morgan, The Gatlin Brothers, Collin Raye, Kathy Mattea and Shenandoah. Tickets available here.
Murray is one of only four female solo artists to win the Country Music Association’s album of the year award between 1967 and 1990, joining Loretta Lynn, Olivia Newton-John, Anne and KT Oslin on that list. Murray won in 1984 for A Little Good News. She co-hosted the CMA Awards alongside Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Kenny Rogers, and scored many U.S. country chart hits.
Awards News
BreakOut West wrapped on the weekend in Winnipeg, after running from Sept. 24-28. More than 55 artists played at 14 venues, and the three day conference brought together industry members from across Canada and beyond. The accompanying Western Canadian Music Awards handed out 24 Artistic Awards on Sept. 25 (see the winner's list here) and 6 Industry Awards on Sept. 27 (winners below). At the hand off party, Victoria, BC, was revealed as the host city for BreakOut West 2026, which will be held Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, 2026
2025 Western Canadian Music Awards Industry Winners
Audio Engineering Award
Jamie Kuse - Nova Studios – BC
Community Excellence Award
sākihiwē festival – MB
Excellence in Visual Design
Bronwin Parks - Feisty Creative – BC
Impact in Artist Development
Paquin Artists Agency – MB
Impact in Live Music (Sponsored by Canadian Live Music Association)
Paquin Artists Agency – MB
Impact in Music Marketing
Birthday Cake Records – MB
– Folk Canada has announced the 2025 Estelle Klein Award Recipients, honouring the work of an individual or group that has made significant contributions to Ontario’s folk music community. The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Al Rankin who, for over 40 years, has been a tireless presenter, promoter, and mentor, helping countless Canadian folk musicians. John and Michele Law, founders of the Kingsville Folk Music Festival and the Sun Parlour Folk Music Society, receive the Community Builder Award, recognising their dedication to strengthening their local community through music. The Culture in Climate Award goes to Steven Dagenais, for distinguishing himself as a leader at the intersection of culture, sustainability, and innovation, creating platforms that use music and the arts to inspire urgent climate action.
The 31st annual Ontario Folk Music Awards (OFMAs) will take place on Oct. 15, at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre. Juno-winning host Angelique Francis will perform alongside Evan Rotella, Julian Taylor, Larry Folk, Sam Drysdale and Savannah Shea. The awards mark the launch of the 2025 Folk Music Ontario Conference, running October 15-19 in Ottawa, at the Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre. Register for the Conference https://www.folkcanada.com/events-1/folk-music-ontario-conference-2here.
– We recently reported on The DREAMS! Music Awards 2025 (formerly the Oshawa Music Awards), but neglected to mention two special awards. This year’s Lifetime Achievement & Hall of Fame Award was presented to legendary songwriter Mars Bonfire, best known for penning the iconic Steppenwolf hit “Born to Be Wild.” The Oshawa native began as a member of Jack London and the Sparrows, which would evolve into Steppenwolf. Although unable to attend in person, Mars Bonfire shared a thank-you message in a video tribute. The award was accepted on his behalf by Jack London. Acknowledged as Music Industry Leader 2025 for his tireless and unwavering commitment to promoting local music was Will McGuirk.
Industry News
The second edition of Country Talks: Mental Health will take place Oct. 26 at The Rec Room Square One in Mississauga. The show will feature top Canadian country artists performing in a writers’ round, blending personal stories with the songs that have been part of their healing mental health journey. All proceeds will be donated to the CAMH Foundation. This year's lineup comprises Andy Colonico, Taylor Wilson, Nicole Christian, Jessica Towler, Tim Hance and Angelica Appelman, with Toronto-based duo Broadtree returning as hosts. The event's sold-out 2023 debut at Oakville’s Moonshine Café raised over $1,000 for CAMH. Tickets now on sale here.
– Last week, unionized Vancouver Symphony Orchestra musicians officially walked off the job, resulting in several show cancellations last weekend. The Canadian Press reported that "VSO President Angela Elster says in a statement that the company recognizes the right of the musicians to take collective action, but is disappointed about the impact to its audiences."
The employer’s current offer is reportedly a 15% wage increase over three years, to which the union countered with a 23% increase over the same term. The union says more than 97% of its members voted in July in favour of job action after its last offer to the employer.
– Music Nova Scotia has announced the Support4Culture Road to NSMW, a series of events intended to enable its showcasing artists to hone their skills leading up to Nova Scotia Music Week. The events include Mental Health First Aid Training, NSMW Frenchys Meet-up, NSMW AMA and a Media Preparedness Workshop with CTV’s Katie Kelly. On Oct. 19 (2 p.m.), there's a free NSMW sensory accessible concert at Halifax Central Library’s Paul O’Regan Hall, with performances by Adria Jackson, Blessing Tangban and Moira & Claire.
– The Polaris Music Prize may be over for this year, but the org has kept busy in its wake, curating a free series of concerts in Toronto. That closes out this week with shows at the Toronto Music Garden by two superb singer-songwriters, Charlotte Cornfield (Oct. 4) and Tanika Charles (Oct. 5).
Artists News
– On Nov. 12, at The Royal Cinema in Toronto, veteran rocker Bif Naked will host BIF NAKED: A Documentary, a special event combining the premiere screening of a new documentary, an intimate live acoustic performance, and a Q&A with Bif Naked herself. Directed by Pollyanna Hardwicke-Brown, the film is billed as "the definitive documentary on the life and career of Bif Naked. Through rare archival footage, exclusive interviews, and performances, the film explores her journey as a poet, fighter, and rock ’n’ roll force of nature." Tix here.
– Toronto vocalist-composer Sammy Jackson won a Juno award in 2021 for vocal jazz album of the year for her EP, With You. She has just released a new album, In The Meantime, and will feature its material in an intimate concert (7.30 p.m.) at the Burdock Music Hall in Toronto on Oct. 4. Tickets here.
