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FYI

A Podcast Conversation With ... Randy Stark

Via his work at Warner Music Canada and as an artist manager, the new inductee into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame has boosted the careers of many top country stars. Learn more in this informative FYI podcast.

A Podcast Conversation With ... Randy Stark

By Bill King

At the end of November, Randy Stark will be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame


Born in Edmonton and Calgary-raised, Stark has been a longtime advocate of Canadian talent, and he has helped develop such Canadian country artists such as Paul Brandt, George Fox, Jason Blaine, Aaron Prichett, and fellow 2021 HoF inductee Patricia Conroy.

After graduating from high school, Stark answered an ad in a local Calgary newspaper and landed a job picking orders at a record warehouse. He wasted no time rising through the ranks to become warehouse manager and sales rep then working at record labels, A&M and GRT. All led to senior management and a role as VP of marketing and promotion at Warner Music Canada. Eventually, Stark started his own companies, establishing Stark Ravings, a management company behind the careers of Diane Chase, Blaine, Pritchett, Jake Mathews, Kylee Epp and Lisa Hewitt. Stark also worked as a radio tracker aiding the careers of Deric Ruttan, Gord Bamford, Michelle Wright, Clayton Bellamy and others.

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Stark’s fifty-year career flourished behind a discerning ear for identifying hit songs and artists with career potential.

I caught up with Stark and found that life on this side of retirement outfits him well. Learn more in this FYI podcast.

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Billboard Canada Managers to Watch 2026: The Rising Execs Guiding Angine de Poitrine, Hilary Duff, Mae Martin & More
Management

Billboard Canada Managers to Watch 2026: The Rising Execs Guiding Angine de Poitrine, Hilary Duff, Mae Martin & More

Canada's fast-rising managers on navigating a quickly changing music industry. Plus: Managers of the Year Matthew Burnett & Jordan Evans (Daniel Caesar) and International Manager of the Year Tommas Arnby (Yungblud) share their best advice.

Managers are architects of the music industry, driving Canadian careers as they reach stages all across the globe. Now more than ever, being a manager means wearing numerous hats, from signing deals to managing tours, rights, strategy and more. As much as it's about making crucial decisions, music management is about building trust and relationships. It’s about making sure all parts of the equation work together to succeed.

The talented people in this year’s Billboard Canada Managers to Watch list are responsible for some of the biggest moments of the last year in Canadian music, from blockbuster comeback tours to international treks, Juno Award wins, breakthroughs, major label signings and more. Between providing resources and building real-time impact, music managers are connecting musicians with fans and opportunity, crafting a tangible influence that is born locally, but undeniably impacting the whole world.

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