Music News Digest, Nov. 22, 2019
A big hit by Downchild (pictured Donnie Walsh) is honoured, The Last Waltz heads to Nashville, and Juno tickets go on sale today. Also making news are JFL, Kesha, Anvil, Susan Aglukark, NMC, Said The Whale, the CCMA, Corin Raymond, and Laila Biali. With video.
By FYI Staff
The first Canadian blues recording to earn Gold status, I’ve Got Everything I Need (Almost), written by Downchild Blues Band’s leader and co-founder, Don Walsh, will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa Friday, Nov. 29. The song became an international hit when it was covered by The Blues Brothers’ Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi. The song induction will take place during the band’s 50th Anniversary Party in Ottawa with special guests Dan Aykroyd, Tony D (MonkeyJunk), Suzie Vinnick and Andy J Forest.
— Tickets for the March 15, 2020, Juno Awards in Saskatoon go on sale Friday and starting at $39.95 (plus fees) online at www.ticketmaster.ca, by phone at 1-800-970-SEAT (7328) and in-person at the SaskTel Centre Box Office - 3515 Thatcher Avenue (Main Entrance). For an extra $15, get an ‘official’ 3D Collector Ticket plus a Juno branded lanyard at time of purchase. $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity associated with CARAS and the Junos, courtesy of SaskTel Centre.
— Just For Laughs is expanding into the audio business with the launch of a Canadian-owned JFL record label. Under the banner JFL Originals, the imprint will record and promote new original comedy content from Canadian talent with the expectation of an unspecified number of releases in 2020.
— Saturday at Bridgestone Arena, Robbie Robertson guests with a collection of musicians crossing generations and genres to celebrate The Band’s historic 1976 Thanksgiving farewell concert, “The Last Waltz.”
“Last Waltz Nashville” features Darius Rucker, Michael McDonald, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Nathaniel Rateliff, Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson, and Margo Price. An interview about Nashville and the show can be read on the Tennessean
Below, a recent Playing for Change video of The Weight performed across 5 continents and featuring (among many) Robbie Robertson and Ringo Starr.
— Kesha has released the 2ndsingle and video for My Own Dance, the latest release from her Jan. 10 High Road album (Kemosabe/RCA Records).
— Matt Mays and Sam Roberts, are set to sail the Danube from Hungary to Austria with 150 fans in October 2020. The event has been developed in partnership with the Niche Travel Group, a boutique Nova Scotia agency.
— Anvil drummer Rob Reiner explains in RAMZine UK why the indefatigable Canadian metal trio has titled an upcoming 2020 album so: Legal At Last celebrates “the legalisation of the Anvil bong because Canada changed its marijuana laws last year, which means we no longer sail close to the wind all the time.”
— Susan Aglukark is one of 10 women inducted into Women’s Executive Network Hall of Fame, joining notables such as Margaret Atwood and Dr. Roberta Bondar. The induction took place Nov. 21 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
— David Foster has released a song to be included in the Broadway-bound Betty Boop musical, featuring Waitress star (and wife) Katharine McPhee.
— Andrea Kokonis takes the title General Counsel – Head of Legal Services with SOCAN, effective Jan. 1, as the current head Gilles Daigle retires. As Associate General Counsel since 2015, she has been part of the PRO’s Legal team for more than a decade.
— Music PEI is seeking jurors for its annual Awards. Apply here.
— The National Music Centre is now offering private parties at its marquee Rolling Stones mobile recording studio. “Gather your 20 closest friends and colleagues for an evening of drinks, food, and classic tunes,” the pitch reads, adding that “a private NMC recording engineer will spin vinyl recorded on the RSM and take you on a musical journey through rock history.”
— Following the biggest headlining show of the band’s career at Vancouver’s Malkin Bowl this summer, Said The Whale has announced a eastern Canadian tour in theatres in support of its early-2019 release Cascadia. Kick-off show is at St. Catharines Warehouse on Nov. 27 and the finale is Dec. 14 at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre.
— The Quietusreviews a batch of new cassettes in its latest edition, including Radio Songs by Torontonian multimedia artist Brigitte Bardon’t (aka Kristel Jax). Note, the distortion and blurring of radio frequencies is intended.
— The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced its 2019-2020 Board of Directors. Achieving the goal set out by CCMA President Tracy Martin and the Board two years ago, the new directorate boasts a 50% female membership. The Board consists of eight Elected Directors (Rob Cyrynowski, Jenn Dalen, Cliff Dumas, Paul Ferguson, Chris Henderson, Joel Jelinski, Amanda Kingsland, KT Timmermans) and eight Appointed Directors (Kristen Burke, Warren Copnick, Jackie Dean, Brianne Deslippe, Angelika Heim, Steve Kane, Denise Ross, Charlotte Thompson). Ted Ellis remains as Chair for the 2019-2020 season.
— Hard-working folk troubadour Corin Raymond has just released an epic new album/book, Dirty Mansions. His current tour includes shows at The London Music Club tonight (Nov. 22), his Hamilton hometown at Staircase Theatre (Nov. 24) and at Lula Lounge in Toronto, Nov. 26. Highly recommended.
— Fresh from a successful edition of Estonian Music Week, Tom Treumuth presents two shows featuring Juno-winning jazz/pop artist Laila Biali and acclaimed Estonian singer Kadri Voorand. The pair take the stage at Hamilton's Westdale Theatre, Nov. 29, and Toronto's Royal Theatre, Nov. 30.
