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Music News Digest: AHI, Cassie & Maggie Head Nominees List For Canadian Folk Music Awards
Also this week: Canadian-based British rock legend Paul Rodgers unable to attend Bad Company's Rock Hall of Fame induction, M for Montreal showcase news and more.
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Awards News
The nominations for the 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards have been announced, and the trophies will be handed out across a series of events, April 9-12 in Calgary. The 2026 CFMAs will feature four distinct gala concerts, a range of public programming, private industry showcases and a focus on national and international export development.
Leading the nominees list this year are Toronto singer-songwriter AHI and Nova Scotia duo Cassie and Maggie, with five nods each. Other multiple nominees include Boreal, Max Francis, The Barrel Boys, Mia Kelly, Terra Spencer, Aysanabee and Wyatt C. Louis.
The 21 categories this year include a new award recognizing excellence in album cover art. Check the full list of 105 nominees here and in this playlist.
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– The Nominee Press Conference for the 2026 Music PEI Awards will take place at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside on Nov. 13, starting at 11 a.m.
Festivals News
In partnership with Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) and CIMA, MusicOntario has announced its lineup of Ontario-based artists showcasing at this year's M for Montreal, taking place from Nov. 20-23. The lineup comprises popular indie rock veterans Hollerado (out on a swansong tour, with a new surprise EP out now on Royal Mountain), eclectic rock trio FEATURETTE, Softtub (a.k.a. singer-songwriter Keegan McDonald) and North Bay solo artist Lennie Rayen. M for Montreal annually attracts 500 local and international music industry professionals and has an ongoing partnership with Billboard Canada.
Industry News
This January, CIMA will be organizing a business mission to Eurosonic in Groningen, Netherlands. This features a curated business day during the event and Canadian participants will work with CIMA's in-market consultant to meet with targeted delegates and foster connections within the European industry. CIMA will also organize an introductory session to better prepare participants ahead of the event, which runs Jan. 14-17. The deadline to apply here for the mission is Dec. 5, 2025. Learn more about Eurosonic here.
– The Artist Entrepreneur Program from Canada's Music Incubator (CMI) is designed to help artists and bands of all genres build their businesses and create more sustainable careers. Artists work hands-on with CMI’s team of industry experts (touring, marketing, funding, PR, performance, production and more) via mentoring, networking, and collaboration. The next installment runs March 17 – April 24, 2026, and the deadline to apply here is Jan. 6.
– Nov. 10 is the deadline to apply here for a Canada House showcase (presented by CIMA) at The Great Escape in Brighton, U.K., which runs May 13-16. The Great Escape showcases 500+ emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city.
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– A giant of British rock, Paul Rodgers now lives in B.C. and became a Canadian citizen in 2011. He had hoped to travel to Los Angeles on Nov. 8 to attend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction of Bad Company, the hit '70s rock band he fronted, but this week he announced that ongoing health concerns will prevent that. Now 74, Rogers has suffered a series of strokes over the last decade.
Via the band’s official social media, Rodgers explained. "I have no problem singing, it’s the stress of everything else," he writes. "Thanks for understanding. Simon (Kirke, their drummer), along with some outstanding musicians, will be stepping in for me – guaranteed to rock." Rodgers also fronted Free, The Firm and Queen + Paul Rodgers.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles will also honour Joe Cocker, Soundgarden, the White Stripes, Chubby Checker, Carol Kaye, OutKast, Cyndi Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon, with appearances by Iggy Pop, Elton John, Olivia Rodrigo, Beck and more
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Artists News
Country-folk singer/songwriter Julianna Riolino is riding a wave of positive reviews for her just-released album, Echo In The Dust. She has now announced North American tour dates that include an Ontario segment comprising eight shows beginning Dec. 4 in Windsor and closing out in St. Catharines on Feb. 26. Tickets can be found here.
– Acclaimed East Coast hip-hop singer, rapper and composer Aquakultre has announced that he'll release a new album, 1783, via Next Door Records, in February 2026.The eclectic soul, R&B, gospel and folk-fuelled new album (his third) was produced by two-time Music Nova Scotia Producer of the Year Erin Costelo, mixed by Grammy-winner Qmillion (Robert Glasper) and mastered by world-renowned multi-Grammy nominee Chris Athens (Drake). It is his first album since his critically-acclaimed 2023 Polaris Music Prize longlisted album Don’t Trip. Check out a new advance single here.
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–To celebrate the first anniversary of their Here Comes The Pressure album, Saskatoon' rockers Autopilot are heading out on a 10-city tour this month. It kicks off on Nov. 13 at Sidestage in Winnipeg, followed by nine Ontario shows. Check the itinerary here.
– Vancouver singer-songwriter Connor Wilkinson, operating as Passion Mango, has made a splash with his albums Honeymoon Phase (2022) and Clean Slate (2025). He has just released a new single, "Lake," and is playing U.S. dates in support of Hotel Mira. Their 11-city tour closes out in Seattle on Nov. 17. Check the itinerary here.
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