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FYI

Chris Taylor Joins Influential Club Of Global Music Czars

The Toronto native has turned unknowns into millionaires, built an impressive management and recording imprint, consulted the stars and now runs a global music empire that spans management, publishing, event production and master recordings.

Chris Taylor Joins Influential Club Of Global Music Czars

By David Farrell

Over the years, musician, music entrepreneur and lawyer Chris Taylor has helped more than a few artists become millionaires and, along the way, created an empire that seems to forever expand.


His client list is confidential but Drake and music IP firm ole are two known notables affiliated with his legal practice. He recently sold his label imprint, Last Gang Records, one that includes Emily Haines, Death From Above 1979, Arkells, Stars and Crystal Castles on its roster–and simultaneously became Global President of eOne Music that has footprints in master recordings, distribution, licensing, music, event production, publishing and management.

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This week, the Toronto native joined an elite group of entertainment czars in Variety magazine’s annual list of International Music Leaders. Taylor is the lone Canadian in the list, while others in the august group include Beggars Banquet co-founder/Chair Martin Mills, IFPI CEO Frances Moore, Live Nations Concert President John Reid, UTA global chief Neil Warnock, and Kobalt Music founder/CEO Willard Ahdritz.

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Charlotte Day Wilson
Jessica Foley
Charlotte Day Wilson
Concerts

CNE 2026 Bell SOUNDSTAGE Lineup: Charlotte Day Wilson, JoJo, Finger Eleven and More

As part of its partnership with NXNE and a renewed focus on live music, CNE will also welcome a special soon-to-be revealed global headliner presented by Billboard Canada on Aug. 28.

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is embracing its musical roots with a high-profile lineup for 2026.

The beloved long-running fair, baptized The Ex by Torontonians, has unveiled the full list of artists who will be headlining the newly-named Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell to celebrate the event's 147th edition. Canadian stars like Charlotte Day Wilson and Finger Eleven as well as international pop star JoJo have been added to this year's programming, which reflects a diverse mix of renowned names and rising stars across a multitude of genres including pop, hip-hop, Punjabi music and soca, among others. They join previously announced acts like Lights, Lupe Fiasco, Shaggy and more.

This year, the exhibition is partnering with Toronto music festival NXNE, to modernize its musical programming with chart-topping artists and newer acts, and revamping the Bandshell as the Bell SOUNDSTAGE. “Music is such a massive part of who we are,” Mark Holland, CEO of the CNE, told Billboard Canada in April during his Executive of the Week interview. "Connecting everybody to that is a democratic mission that we are really invested in."

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