MMF Canada Announces New Inductees For Its Honour Roll

By FYI Staff

The Music Managers Forum (MMF) Canada has announced the new entrants for its 12th annual honour roll, sponsored by Slaight Music.

The inductees are Susan de Cartier (The Honour Roll Award), Daniel Caesar, Matthew Burnett and Jordan Evans (the Banner Year Award), and Riley O'Connor (Brian Chater Pioneer Award).

Susan de Cartier started out in New York City as a legal assistant working towards law school when a chance meeting on a plane to Toronto changed her trajectory. Come hear the story and how Susan's career in artist management began, working with Blue Rodeo and Crash Vegas at The ACT/Risqué Disque in Toronto. Forming Starfish Entertainment in 1995, the company has been involved in the creation and release of more than 50 albums, that have collectively sold over 5 million copies, coupled with many concert tickets for artists including Blue Rodeo, Jim Cuddy, The Sadies, Oh Susanna, Skydiggers, Greg Keelor and Harrow Fair.

Over the course of her 30-year career, de Cartier has guided Blue Rodeo on to become one of the most successful bands in Canadian history garnering 12 Junos, a Star on the Walk of Fame and membership in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Her Starfish Entertainment company boasts a smart, tight-knit, and loyal staff, managing The Woodshed recording studio in addition to her longtime clients. Well respected in the artist and industry community at large, de Cartier also gives back through her time and contributions on the MMF and OMDC board positions. 

On learning of the MMF honour, de Cartier stated: "I have been tremendously fortunate to turn my love of music into a career and am honoured to be receiving the same award as the incredible managers - and mentors - that have come before me."

No one can deny the meteoric rise of Canadian, Juno winning, Grammy-nominated R&B and soul singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar this past year. After independently building a following through the release of two critically acclaimed EPs Praise Break and Pilgrim's Paradise, Caesar released his debut album Freudian in August 2017, which also garnered widespread critical acclaim.

Co-managers Jordan Evans and Mark Burnett developed Caesar and also co-produced the entirety of his album Freudian and were Juno Producer of the Year nominees. Freudian featured #1 Urban AC hit 'Get You", #1 iTunes R&B/Soul Album and Apple "Up Next" support, Spotify "Spotlight", TV performances on The Late Show with James Corden, Late Night with Seth Myers, The Juno Awards, and a performance with Chance the Rapper on Stephen Colbert.

Two songs, "Get You," and "First World Problems," even made it on Obama's year-end list. His debut world tour is selling out everywhere, including a 5-night run in his hometown of Toronto at Danforth Music Hall. 

The recipient of the Brian Chater Pioneer award, Riley O'Connor, is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the Canadian music business and a formidable force in Canadian music since arriving on the scene in 1971. From his early beginnings in Montreal as a drum roadie, guitar tech, stagehand and truck driver, O'Connor quickly moved up the ranks of concert production and a touring Chief Election in Europe.

In 1977, after five years working in stage production in Europe, O'Connor co-founded Perryscope Concert Productions in Vancouver where he worked as Production Manager, General Manager, then Chief of Operations and Talent Buyer.

From Perryscope Concerts to Baseline Entertainment, Concert Productions International to House of Blues, and now to Live Nation Canada where he has served as Chairman since 2007. Over the years, he has brought some of the brightest lights and greatest shows Canada has ever seen, including international artists such as AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Def Leppard, Guns n Roses, Elton John, Depeche Mode, Backstreet Boys, Iron Maiden, Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Billy Joel.

As chairman of Live Nation Canada - the country's leading concert promoter -  O'Connor has steered the company to market leadership in Canada's live entertainment industry generating approximately $420 million in annual sales for the company and producing more than 1400 concerts annually for Canadian and international artists.

A strong advocate of domestic talent and development - complemented by his hands-on approach - he has emerged as a formidable force in Canadian music and an integral part of the pioneering spirit of touring live music in Canada.

Canadian artists produced and promoted by O'Connor over the years include Rush, Blue Rodeo, April Wine, Bryan Adams, The Tragically Hip, Triumph, The Guess Who, Streetheart, 54*40, Nickelback, Kim Mitchell, Tom Cochrane, Our Lady Peace, Chantal Kreviazuk, and Drake. He was inducted into the Canadian Music and Broadcast Hall of Fame in 2012.

Riley O'Connor is a champion of Canadian music and continues to passionately advocate for the development and promotion of coast to coast national tours. He is respected and admired by artists, agents and managers alike for his integrity and passion for the music industry.

The induction ceremony will take place on May 8 at Bymark Restaurant in Toronto. Tickets can be purchased here