The FYI News Bulletin: May 12, 2022

By David Farrell

After almost two decades, the Juno Awards will return to Edmonton in 2023, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday. The 52nd edition will be held at Rogers Place on March 12, with a week of events such as events the Juno Songwriters Circle and Juno Fest beginning on March 6. The city last hosted the event in 2004, hosted by singer Alanis Morissette.

This year’s show, hosted by Simu Liu, star of Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings and CBC’s Kim’s Convenience, will broadcast live from Budweiser Stage this Sunday, May 15 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT nationwide on CBC TV, CBC Radio One and CBC Music, streamed live on CBC Gem, CBC Listen, and around the world at CBCMusic.ca/junos, and CBC Music’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.

Announced to appear on the Sunday broadcast are Andrew Phung, Arcade Fire, Arkells, Avril Lavigne, bbno$, Bilal Baig, Charlotte Cardin, Chris Bosh, Deborah Cox, DJ Shub and Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Donovan Woods, Faouzia, Haviah Mighty, Mustafa, Lauren Spencer-Smith, The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, RoseAnne Archibald, Roxane Bruneau, Tesher, TOBi, and Tia Wood. Additionally, Denise Jones is to be posthumously awarded the 2022 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, and Inuk singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark is to be honoured with the Humanitarian Award.

A gala event on Saturday (May 14) will stream live on CBC Gem and CBC Music’s social media platforms at 6 pm ET / 3 pm PT and feature performances by Allison Russell, Jesse Gold, Roxane Bruneau, Ruby Waters, and Valley.  Some 40 Juno winners will be named at this event in advance of Sunday night’s main event.

– Sakamoto Agency has signed Country Music Alberta Award winners Hailey Benedict and The Prairie States to the Canadian roster. Sakamoto Agency President Paul Biro will be the Responsible Agent for both. In addition, new hire Kate Howse is taking on the role of Logistics Manager for the agency. In a news release, Biro stated that while the live booking roster and event programming continue to be the top priority, Sakamoto Agency chose to expand by diversifying its businesses with the launch of two subsidiary companies–GPS Promotion, a digital and radio promotions company in partnership with GrassRoots Promotion (Nashville), and Sakamoto Music, an independent label distributed by Warner Music Canada.

– The Guild of Music Supervisors Canada (GMSC) has a new award called 'The Huey', named after music supervisor David Hayman, who died in May 2020. To be presented at the Canadian Sync Awards at the El Mocambo on June 9^th in Toronto, the award, plus a $1500 honorarium, will be given to an aspiring music supervisor who has not yet gained experience in the field. Details and submission here.

– Successful media entrepreneur Erica Ehm has sold her Yummy Mummy Club influencer marketing firm to Putman Investments, the same Doug Putman whose holdings include a swath of storefront brands such as Sunrise Records, HMV UK, Toys "R" Us Canada Ltd., and the US-based For Your Entertainment chain. Media in Canada reports that Ehm will stay with the company as chief innovation officer.

– Monster Truck has signed a global recording deal with BMG and marks the first global artist signed by the imprint in Canada since Steve Nightingale was named the company’s Toronto-based Vice President, Recorded Music, in 2021.

In November 2021, Monster Truck was featured in Kid Rock's re-recording of their song Don't Tell Me How To Live. The award-winning Hamilton, ON rock ensemble, is set to release its next album later this year, with a worldwide tour TBA.

– UMC is premiering a newly minded Rolling Stones 23-track, 4-LP Live at The El Mocambo album recorded 45 years ago, over two nights, at the Spadina Road club in Toronto on May 14. The event, to be live-streamed, includes stories from the twin shows with Jeff Woods hosting reminisces from participants that include former CHUM FM PD Duff Roman, musicologist Rob Bowman, former El Mo booker David Bluestein–and present club owner Michael Wekerle. Bob Clearmountain has given the recordings a remix. Proceeds from a silent auction go to the charitable org MusiCounts.

– Bryan Adams is credited with the cover of the new album by Germany’s uber-successful band Rammstein. The band shot is taken on the steps of Berlin’s unique architectural wind tunnel known as Trudelturm in the city’s Aerodynamic Park.

– While the Junos seem to be forever behind the eight ball when it comes to honouring unsung Hall of Famers, other award programs march with the times. The latest is the London, ON Music Awards committee naming Loreena McKennitt, Cherrill Rae, Larry Mercey, John Acquaviva, and Rory Dodd to the org’s HoF. Honourees are to be feted at a gala on June 26.