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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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Coco Love Alcorn
Courtesy Photo

Coco Love Alcorn

FYI

Music News Digest: Music Community Rallies to Support Coco Love Alcorn Through Cancer Journey

Also this week: more trouble for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Toronto scene veteran Paul James turns 75 with a free hometown show at The Phoenix and a date is set for the first Canadian Blues Music Awards.

Canadian pop and jazz singer-songwriter and choir leader Coco Love Alcorn has just revealed that she is fighting an aggressive form of cancer. This will involve a long period of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and further surgery. Alcorn explains that "I have had to cancel all my touring, teaching, and performances for 2026 and my local choir is on hiatus till further notice. I also had 3 trips planned to BC this winter/spring to record my new album and that project is also on hold."

A GoFundMe campaign to assist her has been set up. Donate here. The rapid and generous response to her campaign reaffirms the peer respect she enjoys.

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