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FYI

The Awesome Music Project Canada

Published this week, the hardcover book explores the transformative power of music. Contributors include Sarah McLachlan and Chris Hadfield, and proceeds benefit music and mental health research.

The Awesome Music Project Canada

By FYI Staff

The transformative power of music is at the heart of The Awesome Music Project Canada: Songs of Hope and Happiness, a hardcover book published tomorrow (Oct. 10).


Written by co-authors Terry Stuart and Robert Carli for the music lover in all of us, this compilation of intimate recollections by Canadians from every province and territory comprises stories from Canadians from all walks of life. Contributors include such celebrities as Sarah McLachlan, Chris Hadfield, Madeleine Thien and Theo Fleury, all sharing how music changed their lives.

The book reveals that astronaut Hadfield turned to music for comfort through the loss of a close friend, while Grammy-winning star McLachlan used it to escape the torment of high-school bullies. 

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Rounding out the book are descriptions of the neurological research confirming that music is good for us. It improves our mental, emotional, and physical health, wards off depression, and even delays dementia. Put simply: music makes us feel good.

Proceeds from The Awesome Music Project Canada will go to music and mental health research, starting with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centres.

For more information and to order the book, go here

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Howard Willett (right) with Whiskey Jack
Courtesy photo

Howard Willett (right) with Whiskey Jack

FYI

Obituaries: Toronto Harmonica Ace/Vocalist Howard Willett Remembered By His Peers

This week we also acknowledge the passing of The Cure keyboardist/guitarist Perry Bamonte, bubblegum hitmaker Jerry Kasenetz, influential U.S. label head Howie Klein and innovative jazz musician Michal Urbaniak.

Howard Willett, a vocalist and harmonica player with the Bebop Cowboys, Whiskey Jack and many other Ontario country/roots outfits, died on Dec. 31. His age has not been reported.

On his Perlich Post blog, Toronto music journalist Tim Perlich says, "I'm saddened to hear that Parry Sound-born singer/harmonica ace Howard Willett has passed away. Howard was a longtime performer on the Toronto scene, well known for his work with the Bebop Cowboys, Swing-a-Billy Orchestra, Whiskey Jack, Junction City AllStars, The Shifters and many others. He'll be greatly missed."

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