Music News Digest: Chantal Kreviazuk Enters Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Sam Corbett Leaves The Sheepdogs

Awards News

In advance of the 23rd annual edition of BreakOut West in Winnipeg later this week, The Western Canadian Music Awards has named the specialty award recipients to be honoured at a special celebration on Sept. 27. The Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame's 2025 inductee is Grammy and Juno-winning singer-songwriter, musician and humanitarian, Chantal Kreviazuk. The Heritage Award will be presented to multi-award winning “King of the North” Cree singer-songwriter, Ernest Monias, while noted promoter and community advocate, John Scoles of Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club will receive the Kevin Walters Industry Builder Award.

The BreakOut West conference begins on Sept. 24, with the live music component running Sept. 25-27. Limited fest wristbands are available here.

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– The lineup for the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Legends event, held Oct. 17 at the Meridian Arts Centre in Toronto, has just been announced. Highlights include k.d. lang inducting Jane Siberry, Tom Cochrane inducting Triumph, Murray McLauchlan inducting Ian Thomas and Barenaked Ladies' Ed Robertson inducting Andy Kim.

Performers who will cover songs by these inductees include Kevin Drew, Charlie Edward, Clerel, Housewife, JJ Wilde, Kairo McLean, Kirk Diamond, Noah Derksen, RÊVE and Sam Drysdale, alongside a special performance by Phil X with inductee Rik Emmett. The evening will also feature the Breakthrough Songwriter Award, presented by the SOCAN Foundation, with Nemahsis as the recipient. Tickets for the Toronto event are available here.

The Montreal event in the Legends Induction Series will spotlight francophone and Indigenous voices, honouring François Cousineau, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Michel Pagliaro, and Florent Vollant. Tickets for the Montreal event here.

– The DREAMS! Music Awards 2025 were held in Oshawa, Ontario on Sept. 21, at the Bond/St. Event Centre. Formerly known as the Oshawa Music Awards, they are presented by DREAMS! – Durham Regional Excellence in Arts, Music & Sound, a not-for-profit regional initiative committed to celebrating and strengthening the local music sector. Noted names on this year's winners list included Meghan Patrick, Cuff The Duke, Alexa Goldie and Robyn Ottolini. Check the winners list here

Festivals News

Tkaranto Music Festival (TKMF) bills itself as "Canada's premiere festival series putting the spotlight on Indigenous talent from Turtle Island and across the world." On Nov. 8, it teams with Massey Hall to present Snotty Nose Rez Kids with Logan Staats at TD Music Hall, with renowned neo-burlesque dancer, Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière hosting. Tickets go on sale here tdmusichall.com on Sept. 26.

– Running Nov. 6-8 in London, Ontario, the VENUExVENUE music conference and festival has announced the second wave of showcasing artists. That list comprises Adam Cousins, Avalon Stone, Avro Project, Bad Skin, Deer Fang, Double Experience, King of Foxes, Lindsey & The Lonelies, Living Room for Small, Piner, Sam Hansell, Siobhan Bodrug, The Sun Harmonic, ToNi Blu and Uncle Cobes. The full conference schedule and speaker list will be announced soon.

Industry News

CIMA is returning to The Great Escape in Brighton, U.K., May 13-16 2026, and the trade org's mission will include hosting Canada House showcases on site and providing business opportunities for participating Canadian companies. The Great Escape showcases 500+ emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city, and the accompanying conference features panels, keynote speeches, networking opportunities and more. CIMA is now looking for bands/artists who want to showcase at Canada House there in 2026. This opportunity is open to partner hosts as well. Apply here.

– The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) has taken exception to parts of an article that appeared in SOCAN publication Words & Music. Signed By CLMA president/CEO Erin Benjamin and board chair Tarun Nayar, CLMA's emailed statement says "The Canadian Live Music Association and its members have always been wholly supportive of Canadian music creators being paid for their work. For this reason, we were concerned by portions of the recent Words & Music article, Why do music festivals require a SOCAN license?, which could be read to suggest otherwise. Canadian festivals are committed partners in supporting music creators. To imply that they resist paying does not reflect the reality of the industry’s deep investments in artists, songwriters, crews, and suppliers.

"We must also clarify a point mentioned in this article. In order for rightsholders to be paid their share of the license fee paid by festivals, SOCAN directs artists to submit their live performance set list(s). Festivals have not been instructed by SOCAN to collect these, so do not, as the article suggests, submit set lists on behalf of the artist."

The statement continues: "The real challenge lies in a system that too often feels opaque and circuitous. Our members regularly raise concerns about transparency around fee assessments and royalty distribution. This lack of clarity can undermine trust between SOCAN and live music presenters, and in turn, can weaken an important ecosystem. Some of the content shared in this article further erodes this trust."

SOCAN recently made headlines for suing Quebec City music festival FEQ over live licensing fees.

– AcceleratiON 2025-26 is an entrepreneurship Initiative for Black- and Indigenous-owned music businesses that generate the majority of their revenue from music-based activities. Developed by Ontario Creates, it provides funding to successful applicants in the form of direct business and creative development investments ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. The deadline to submit here is Nov. 13.

– The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) has ratified a new agreement with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Eligible voting members endorsed the agreement, which delivers wage increases, pension enhancements, and modernized contract terms that reflect today’s evolving production landscape.

Artists News

Sam Corbett, drummer and co-founder of prairie rockers The Sheepdogs, has announced his departure from the band. He posted on Instagram that "It is with mixed emotions that I announce today my retirement from the Sheepdogs. I'm extremely proud of what we've accomplished over the past 21 years, and I still love the music and the guys in the band just as much as day 1." His exit reportedly comes from a desire to focus on family. Personal life changes, including a cancer diagnosis, are cited.

A statement from The Sheepdogs reads: "We're sad to see Sam go but we respect and support his decision. It's been an incredible ride from the basement of his parents' house to performing all over the world. Sam will always be our good friend and an integral part of the Sheepdogs story. Wishing all the best to him and his family for the future. Here's to 21 terrific years together! Then we can retire his jersey to the Sheepdogs rafters..."

Last year, the Canadian classic rock revival band parted ways with their major label and went independent after buying back their catalogue.

– Platinum-selling country singer-songwriter Robyn Ottolini will headline the nine-city “Way, Way Back” tour across Ontario and Montreal in November. She has now revealed the list of rising artists joining her on select shows: Parker Graye, Savannah Jade, Laila, Lucas Mason, Dave Sampson, Jessica Sevier, Tanaeya and Vibi. Check the itinerary here. Ottolini recently released “Oh, Canada,” co-written with songwriters Michael August and Jesse Slack (Owen Riegling’s “Moonshines”), and co-produced by Grammy-nominated Jordan Schmidt. The track was performed at several events last week as part of the CCMA Awards in Kelowna, and has been generating a social media buzz.

– After 25 years of making music together, duo Madison Violet (Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac) are currently marking their final year together as a band. They've just announced Oct. 2 as the release date for The Best of Brenley & Lisa, a retrospective album featuring fan favourites and personally chosen tracks. A 25th anniversary farewell tour begins in Truro, Nova Scotia, on Oct. 1, concluding Dec. 18 at The Aeolian on Dec. 18. There are also European dates in Nov. Check the full itinerary here.

– On Sept. 25, acclaimed and Grammy-nominated New York City-based Canadian composer, arranger and bandleader Darcy James Argue makes his New York Philharmonic debut as an arranger at their opening night gala. On Facebook, Argue informed that "My friend and collaborator Cecile McLorin Salvant will be singing my arrangements of 'With Every Breath I Take,' 'Barbara Song,' and 'Being Alive.'"