Music News Digest, March 30, 2018

By Kerry Doole

The Boss rules Broadway. That was reaffirmed this week when Bruce Springsteen announced another 80 of his one-man shows, extending his performances at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York through December 15, 2018. According to Fortune magazine, Springsteen on Broadway has grossed some $44 million (US) since its launch last fall. Hard to come by tickets at the box office average an all-time Broadway record of $508 (US) per seat, with the secondary market averaging $1,669 (US) per ticket. Source: ticketnews.com

– The March 22 death of BC guitarist Jason Buie has saddened the Canadian blues community. Back in January, Buie was awarded the Maple Blues Award for New Artist of the Year and now his comrades have quickly rallied around in support of Buie's family, with the Toronto Blues Society leading an online fundraiser to assist in the education of his daughters. On April 6, at Hugh's Room Live, a fundraiser concert will be held, featuring of Suzie Vinnick, Jenie Thai, Gary Kendall, Mark Stafford, Terry Wilkins (Sinners Choir), Bucky Berger, Raha Javanfar (from Bad Luck Woman & Her Misfortunes), and Dan McKinnon. More info can be found here

– ECMA 2018 has announced a free, all-ages 30th Anniversary Kick-Off Waterfront Concert in Halifax on May 2 (6:30pm-9:30pm). The outdoor concert features performances by Mo Kenney, Ashley MacIsaac, MAJE, Port Cities, Kalolin Johnson, and more.

– The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California next month will feature heightened security, in the wake of last year's fest shooting in Las Vegas. TMZ reports the measures will include the addition of surveillance drones and medical equipment, like tourniquets. Coachella runs over two weekends, April 13-22.

– The Armstrong Metalfest rocks out on July 13th and 14th at the Hassen Arena in Armstrong, BC. Over 30 bands perform, with recent Juno nominees Archspire headlining on the Friday. Other bands announced include Death Machine, Plaguebringer, and ArkenFire, with more TBA.

– Every year, the U.S. Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry collates for preservation 25 recordings it deems "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant." This year’s musical selections include Tony Bennett’s I Left My Heart in San Francisco," Chic’s "Le Freak," and Bill Haley and His Comets’ "[We’re Gonna] Rock Around the Clock," and Kenny Rogers’ "The Gambler."

– This year's A2IM's Indie Week will take place June 18-21, in New York City. Just announced as keynote speakers are Tamara Hrivnak (Head of Music Business Development and Partnerships, Facebook) and Kevin Liles (CEO, 300 Entertainment).

– Toronto music venue The Silver Dollar Room has been the subject of much discussion since it closed down last year. Its site has been approved for a new, high-end, 15-storey residential building, to be called The Waverly, and the Silver Dollar will be resurrected on the ground floor. Signage for the venue, which opened in 1958, will be reinstalled on the building's Spadina frontage, "preserving the historic venue's legacy on the new building's modern face." Source: Blog T.O

– The London Music Office and the Jack Richardson London Music Awards are teaming up to present a Music Sync Summit on April 13, part of Jack Richardson London Music Week. It includes panels and mentoring and focuses on music synchronization with film, television and gaming. It is free here

– Canadian Music Week (CMW) has announced Sunrise Records as the Official Music Retailer of the 2018 CMW Festival, taking place May 7 - 13, 2018 in downtown Toronto. Sunrise has 84 retail locations across Canada.

– Two major Canadian country music stars, Dallas Smith and Terri Clark, have collaborated on a new duet single, "One Drink Ago," now available at radio and digitally via 604 Records. Clark, the only female Canadian member of the legendary Grand Ole Opry, has invited Smith to join her April 10 on the Opry stage to perform the track.

–  The National Music Centre (NMC) in Calgary has announced Elizabeth Reade’s return to the organization as the new Director of Development. She succeeds Jeni Piepgrass, who moved onto a new position in February after nine years with NMC. Reade previously spent five years with NMC as a Senior Development Officer. Reade will now lead the fundraising activities of NMC as it grows its operational capacity through on-site programs and events.

– Roots songwriting hero Fred Eaglesmith often makes jokes about man buns in his show, and he recently co-wrote a song on silly hipster styles with Gordie Tentrees. "Craft Beards and Man Buns" is a witty gem recorded by Tentrees, with a video to accompany it. Sample lyrics: "You'll regret that when you look back, like a tattoo on a roll of fat."

– The lineup for Toronto station JAZZ.FM91's annual Jazz Lives fundraising concert has been announced. This year's event is entitled A Century of Nat ‘King’ Cole, and the eclectic list of singers includes Mary Margaret O’Hara, Jackie Richardson, Tom Wilson, Danny B, Lori Cullen, Ori Dagan,and Alex Pangman. Noted musicians providing accompaniment include Lou Pomanti, Eric St-Laurent, Marc Rogers, Mark Kelso, Bill McBirnie, Drew Jurecka, Thompson Egbo Egbo and Robi Botos. Tix here

– It may have the weirdest festival name around, but Lawnya Vawnya is going strong in its eighth year. Based in St. John's, NF, it has announced the lineup for this summer's edition. Headlining are recent Juno winners Alvvays and Land of Talk, with Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Clairmont The Second, Bernice, Eamon McGrath, and Rae Spoon also on the bill, alongside such local favourites as Mark Bragg and The Gramercy Riffs. The festival runs from May 23-26. 

– The Canmore Folk Music Festival in Alberta has announced the majority of its lineup for its 41st edition, running Aug. 3-6. Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of its headliners, with other acts set to include Les Poules à Colin, Ruthie Foster,  Coco Love Alcorn, Nick Waterhouse, The Stray Birds, Jon and Roy, Carlos Del Junco; Dave Gunning and J.P. Cormier, Susie Vinnick, and Joey Landreth. More info here

– East Coast rock band The Stanfields released a new album, Limboland, last week and are just beginning a tour. It kicks off tonight (March 30) at Charlotte St. Arts Centre in Fredericton, closing out with shows at Adelaide Hall in Toronto (April 27) and The 27 Club in Ottawa (April 28). Dates here

– Vancouver-based roots songsmith Rodney DeCroo is earning positive notices for his performance in the theatrical production Blackbird. It runs at Backspace in Vancouver until April 1, with two shows daily on Saturday and Sunday. More info here.

– On May 11, Sony Music Canada will release a newly remastered version of a classic Quebecois album. Deux cents Nuits à l’heure XL, a collaboration between Serge Fiori and Richard Séguin, was first released 40 years ago. The two singer/songwriters collaborated with mastering engineer, Ryan Morey (Harmonium, Arcade Fire) on the new version.

– Power-popsters Dany Laj and The Looks are one of the hardest-working combos around. They've just announced another extensive North American club tour, kicking off at Raven & Republic in North Bay on April 6 and winding up at Highlander Brew Co. in South River, ON, on May 19. Full itinerary here. Their new single, “Left Right To One," was recorded in Rockford, Illinois.