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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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Rise Against
Courtesy Photo

Rise Against

Concerts

Rise Against Join Avril Lavigne As  2025 All Your Friends Fest Headliners: Canadian Music Festival News

The Chicago punk group will close out the first night of the two-day pop-punk festival. P.E.I.'s Cavendish Beach Music Festival also revealed its mainstage lineup this week, and Calgary's Sled Island dropped a first wave of artists.

Festival announcements are starting to tumble in, to keep music fans going through the slow winter months.

Ontario's All Your Friends Fest added Chicago punk stars Rise Against as headliners this week, joining previously announced headliner Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan. Rise Against will close out the Saturday night of the pop-punk festival, which pairs legacy acts with up and coming artists in the genre.

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