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FYI

The FYI News Bulletin

The Canadian Live Music Association is pressing the federal government to create a “live music support fund” simila

The FYI News Bulletin

By David Farrell

The Canadian Live Music Association is pressing the federal government to create a “live music support fund” similar to programs already approved in the UK, Australia and Germany. The CLMA is also supporting a petition by Love You Live, a loose-knit alliance presenting over 30 venue operators and owners in Toronto who are pressing the Ontario government for an emergency meeting to press for an intervention that can offset or remediate a trend of commercial insurance cancellations for these premises that imperils their ability to operate as businesses. The letter to the provincial Finance minister can be viewed here.


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–  Canadian Heritage, in collaboration with ADISQ, CIMA and Music Canada,  host a virtual town hall on Sept. 9, from 3 to 4 p.m. EST. Stuart Johnston, CIMA President and Solange Drouin, ADISQ Public Affairs Vice-President and General Director, will be moderating the meeting in both official languages. Simultaneous interpretation and closed captioning will be available during the town hall.  Individuals and organisations are invited to propose recovery measures that meet some or all of the pillars of the framework developed by Canadian Heritage. Further details and how to register here.

Nomadic Sound Series, a newly minted bi-annual indoor winter music series, is open to artist submissions for its inaugural that is set to take place in March 2021. “We are seeking submissions from contemporary artists who are blurring the lines of popular genres, experimenting with global sounds and creating at the intersection of art and culture,” organizers state. Details here. Additional info via Meg Mcnabb: meg@madewithpencilcrayons.com

– Niagara Falls’ Honeymoon Suite rang up a string of hits such as New Girl Now, Feel It Again and Love Changes Everything in the ‘80s and then joined the classic rock brigade touring consistently throughout the 90s. Heading into its third decade, the classic line-up that includes Johnnie Dee, Derry Grehan and Dave Betts are back on the charts with Find Out What You’re Looking For, a sniff of what’s to come on Tell Me What You Want,  the band’s comeback 2021 album.

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The sad state of the Beatles unwinding in the Twickenham studio in Jan. 1969 with Lindsay Hogg (and Oh No!)

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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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