Photo Gallery: Dean Brody and Dallas Smith at Toronto’s Jasper Dandy
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Toronto’s Budweiser Stage Is Having A Country Megaticket
This summer Budweiser is bringing back the Country Megaticket! This year’s Country Megaticket will feature 4 major country artists, headlining 4 amazing shows at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, plus exclusive chances to win special surprise experiences*, like artist meet & greets, courtesy of Budweiser. It all starts with Thomas Rhett on July 11!
Participating shows include:
Thomas Rhett – July 11
with Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson, Rhett Akins
Luke Bryan – September 5
with Jon Langston
Rascal Flatts – September 12
with special guests tbc
Dean Brody and Dallas Smith – September 21
with special surprise guests
PLATINUM PIT PASS: $950
• General Admission Pit access for all 4 shows
• Early entry & access to the Megaticket Pre-Show Jamboree on the South Plaza
• Access to the American Express Lounge
• First access to merch stands
• Free portable phone charging device
• Live Nation Bucks, redeemable for food & beverage at any concession stand on site
• VIP parking for one (1) car
GOLD: $850
• Same reserved seat (200 level) for all 4 shows
• Early entry & access to the Megaticket Pre-Show Jamboree on the South Plaza
• First access to merch stands
• Free portable phone charging device
• Live Nation Bucks, redeemable for food & beverage at any concession stand on site
• VIP Parking for one (1) car
SILVER: $750
• Same reserved seat (200 level) for all 4 shows
• Early entry & access to the Megaticket Pre-Show Jamboree on the South Plaza.
• First access to merch stands
• Free portable phone charging device
• Live Nation Bucks, redeemable for food & beverage at any concession stand on site
COPPER: $600
• Same reserved seat (300 level) for all 4 shows
• Early entry & access to the Megaticket Pre-Show Jamboree on the South Plaza
• First access to merch stands
• Free portable phone charging device
• Live Nation Bucks, redeemable for food & beverage at any concession stand on site
BRONZE: $175
• General admission lawn ticket for all 4 shows
• Early entry & access to the Megaticket Pre-Show Jamboree on the South Plaza
• First access to merch stands
All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. Tickets subject to application service fees.
*Special surprise experiences, courtesy of Budweiser, available to ticket holders 19+.”
Van Morrison Set to Release ‘The Healing Game (Deluxe Edition)’ on March 22
Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, in association with Exile Productions, Ltd., will release Van Morrison – The Healing Game (Deluxe Edition) on Friday, March 22, 2019.
The latest volume in Legacy’s monumental Van Morrison catalog reissue project, The Healing Game (Deluxe Edition) is a three disc collection chronicling the sessions, collaborations and live performances surrounding Van’s mid-career masterpiece, originally released in March 1997.
Van Morrison – The Healing Game (Deluxe Edition) will be available in 3CD plus digital formats in addition to a 1LP 12″ vinyl edition of the (long out-of-print) original album (minus the bonus tracks).
The Deluxe Edition’s first disc, “The Original Album Plus…” features the ten classic recordings that form the core of The Healing Game in addition to five bonus tracks, previously issued on singles or compilations, assembled together here for the first time: “Look What the Good People Done,” “At the End of the Day,” “The Healing Game,” “Full Force Gale ’96” and “St. Dominic’s Preview.”
“Disc 2 – Sessions & Collaborations” includes formative early versions of “The Healing Game” and “Fire in the Belly” and a variety of previously unreleased recordings including a jazz version of “The Healing Game,” the full length version of “Sometimes We Cry,” a cover of “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” and several previously unissued collaborations with rock & roll guitar hero Carl Perkins (“Boppin’ the Blues,” “Matchbox,” “My Angel,” and “All By Myself”). Disc 2 showcases blues legend John Lee Hooker on two tracks–“Don’t Look Back” and “The Healing Game”–from Hooker’s 1997 album Don’t Look Back. Produced by Van Morrison and released the same day (March 4, 1997) as The Healing Game, Don’t Look Back took home the Best Traditional Blues Album Grammy in 1998 while the title track won Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Disc 2 of The Healing Game (Deluxe Edition) closes with Van collaborating with skiffle king Lonnie Donegan on a definitive interpretation of Jimmie Rodgers’ “Mule Skinner Blues.”
“Disc 3 – Live at Montreux 17 July 1997” finds Van at the peak of his on-stage powers soulfully roaring through an extraordinary live set featuring songs from The Healing Game alongside hits and personal favorites from his catalog; covers of Ray Charles (“Fool For You”), Anthony Newley (“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me”) and Sly Stone (“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin))” and more. A much-sought-after concert performance, Van Morrison’s Live at Montreux recording is officially available for the first time–with pristine state-of-the-art audio–on The Healing Game (Deluxe Edition).
The Healing Game marked a liminal turning point for Van Morrison as he entered his fourth decade as a professional musician. Following a period of crafting romantic ballads that found mainstream success—including “Someone Like You,” “Have I Told You Lately” and “Days Like This” (featured in the film As Good As It Gets)—Van felt compelled to revisit the jazz and rhythm and blues-inspired music that infused his earliest works with Them and as a solo artist in the late 1960s.
For this fresh phase in his career, Van assembled a new band featuring such heavy hitters as saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis (formerly of James Brown’s band), British jazz/blues legend Georgie Fame and bassist Alec Dankworth (who at the time had completed several years in Dave Brubeck’s touring band). With these sidemen, Morrison dove back into jazz with the bebop-inspired How Long Has This Been Going On? (1995), recorded at London jazz club Ronnie Scott’s, and Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose Allison (1996), a tribute to the influential American jazz-blues pianist. Following these jazz-related releases, Morrison and his band recorded a visionary new album of 10 originals. The album reinforced Morrison’s reputation as an artist ready, willing and eager to pursue his muses to new and unexpected places.
Live Nation Acquires Canadian Promoter Embrace Presents
TLive Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company, announced today that it has acquired a majority stake in Embrace Presents, a leading Canadian venue operator and promoter of concerts, festivals, and events in the Toronto area. The companies plan to combine Embrace’s expertise developing emerging talent, boutique festivals and mid-size venue operations with Live Nation’s extensive resources to bring even more live events to Canada.
Embrace will continue to oversee all operations of its varied portfolio, including management of multiple local festivals, as well as the booking and operation of the 1,425-capacity Danforth Music Hall and recently renovated 400-capacity Velvet Underground. As one of Toronto’s oldest live music venues, Danforth Music Hall will be an impressive addition to Live Nation’s growing venue portfolio in Toronto, which already includes Budweiser Stage.
Founded in 2001 by Adam Gill, Embrace was started as an electronic music promoter and has since grown to become one of Canada’s top concert promoters. Geoff Bruce joined in 2008 to develop Embrace’s venue portfolio. With a focus on cutting edge genres, Embrace presents a diverse range of concerts and boutique festivals including Toronto’s Electric Island. To date, Embrace has promoted thousands of shows for renowned acts like Leon Bridges, Skrillex, Mac Demarco, Chance The Rapper, Lorde, Chvrches, Blood Orange, Vance Joy, Nicolas Jaar, Alexisonfire, Disclosure, Kamasi Washington, Zedd, Travis Scott, LCD Soundsystem, Maggie Rodgers and many more.
Evanescence Announce Spring Tour Dates
Transcendent, two–time Grammy Award–winning Rock band, Evanescence, have announced a new batch of spring headline tour dates. The trek serves as a follow up to the group’s massive 2017 and 2018 “Synthesis Live” tours that featured a powerful live orchestra and received rave reviews nationwide. The upcoming run marks Evanescence’s return to their signature Rock shows, revered by fans across the globe. The trek takes the quintet throughout the East Coast and Southern U.S., and wrapping in Uncasville, CT at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday, May 19th at 8:00pm.
After touring European festivals and shows in 2016 and early 2017, Evanescence unveiled their fourth album and most ambitious effort to date, Synthesis. Released fall 2017 via BMG, the group worked in the studio with producer, Will Hunt, and orchestra arranger and composer, David Campbell. Synthesis features two new Evanescence songs in addition to fan favorites re – imagined with a live orchestra and electronica. The record debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 and was also the #4 “Debut Top Album,” #1 “Debut Independent Album,” #1 “Current Rock Album,” and #1 “Debut Rock Album,” not to mention receiving critical acclaim from media staples including Rolling Stone, Paste, Nylon, Loudwire, Kerrang! and more.
The accompanying “Synthesis Live” tour launched in 2017 was augmented by Synthesis producer & live electronicist, Will Hunt, cellist and composer Dave Eggar, and conductor Susie Seiter. The band combined their intense performances and timeless songwriting with a gorgeous live orchestra, resulting in an ethereal concert experience. For the second leg of the tour in 2018, Evanescence teamed up with Billboard Award – winning electronic violinist, Lindsey Stirling, for a successful co – headliner that was dubbed one of Live Nation’s “Top 10 tour of the summer.” Evanescence also released their new concert film, Synthesis Live, in October 2018, capturing the group’s incredible musicality.
Evanescence Tour Dates
5/3 – Jacksonville, FL @ Welcome To Rockville
5/5 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Event Center *
5/7 – New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theatre *
5/9 – Atlanta, GA @ Coca Cola Roxy Theater *
5/10 – Concord, NC @ Epicenter Festival
5/12 – Coraopolis, PA @ UPMC Events Center **
5/14 – Bethlehem, PA @ Sands Bethlehem Event Center *
5/15 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem *
5/18 – Camden, NJ @ MMRBQ Festival
5/19 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena *
7/18 – Cadott, WI @ Rock Fest
7/28 – Bangor, ME @ Impact Festival
* headline date
** On sale February 15th at 10 a.m. local time
Jann Arden Taps Alter-Ego in New Original Comedy JANN, Joining CTV’s Schedule March 20
As announced last night during SUPER BOWL LIII, CTV’s all-new original comedy JANN begins streaming Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app beginning March 20. Starring multi-platinum award-winning Canadian singer, songwriter, broadcaster, author, and 2019 Order of Canada recipient Jann Arden as a fictionalized version of herself, the six-episode series JANN is a comedy with heart that bridges fame and family.
While Jann Arden is as talented as ever, in the world of JANN (the series), she’s no longer the household name she once was, and is now dealing with the harsh reality that her former music career is slowly fading away. She plays corporate gigs and community events, like the local farmer’s market, and to make ends meet, Jann lives in the guest house on her own property, while renting out her actual big home to other, more successful people.
The series follows fictional Jann and her somewhat desperate (and hilarious) struggle to find a new audience. To get what she wants, she’ll take career advice from both her old-school manager, and a new manager who wants her as a client — a slick hipster who has fresh ideas that are scary to anyone older than 26.
As Jann is on her quest for renewed fame, she’s also dealing with obligations and pressures from her ‘real’ life. Her mom is beginning to show signs of memory loss and needs someone to look out for her. Her sister is newly (and angrily) pregnant and needs support too. Plus, Jann’s recent ex is moving on, and they’ve committed to being friends…though Jann is still hoping for more. Can Jann stage a comeback and be there for the people who love her?
“I have never been this excited about any other project in my life,” said Jann Arden. “This has been such a rewarding experience, working with the most talented actors in the business, and the most accomplished filmmakers, writers and producers. I think the show is hilarious and heartwarming all at once and I think all of my fans will truly enjoy the show and everything it has to offer.”
Starring alongside Arden in JANN are Zoie Palmer (SEX AFTER KIDS, DARK MATTER) as Jann’s sister Max; Deborah Grover (ANNE WITH AN “E”) as Jann’s mom Nora; Patrick Gilmore (TRAVELERS; YOU, ME, HER) as Jann’s brother-in-law Dave; Elena Juatco (OPEN HEART) as Jann’s new manager Cale; Jason Blicker (F/X: THE SERIES) as Jann’s long-time manager Todd; Sharon Taylor (BAD BLOOD) as Jann’s ex-girlfriend Cynthia; Alexa Rose Steele (DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION) as Jann’s eldest niece Charley; Ceilidh MacDonald as Jann’s niece Sam; Keaira Pliva (TIN STAR) as Jann’s niece Frankie, and Donna Godlonton as Jann’s neighbour Rhonda.
Guest stars in the inaugural season of JANN include Canadian indie pop singer-songwriter and guitarist Leslie Feist, Canadian singer and multi-instrumentalist Kiesza, and TV personality Rick Mercer.
On the series premiere of JANN titled “The Big House” (Wednesday, March 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app), musician and former star Jann Arden is having a rough week in both her career and personal life. Her loyal manager screws up her chance at a huge gig, and her ex has decided to move on and see someone else. Things seem to be looking up when a slick new manager comes into Jann’s life, promising to reinvigorate her career. But that might prove challenging now that her mom, showing early signs of memory loss, is moving in with her. The episode is directed by Ron Murphy (WYNONNA EARP, TRAILER PARK BOYS) and guest stars Leslie Feist.
Encore presentations of JANN air Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.
Photo Gallery: Bryan Adams at St. Catharines Meridian Centre
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Steve Albini’s Four-Page Proposal to Produce Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’
Steve Albini’s most well-known production work was for the 1993 album In Utero, which was Nirvana’s final studio album. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain sought out Albini because he had produced two of Cobain’s favorite albums, Surfer Rosa (1988) by the Pixies and Pod (1990) by The Breeders. Albini was not a big fan of Nirvana’s music, later stating that he had considered them to be “R.E.M. with a fuzzbox”, but agreed to work with them since he felt that they had been exploited by their label and management. Here’s his letter to the band outlining his proposal to work with them, on his terms.
Maestro Fresh Wes’ Tedx Talk: It’s Good To Revise Goals
Wesley Williams, Canadian rapper and renaissance man – better known as Maestro Fresh Wes. Born and raised in Toronto to Guyanese immigrant parents, Maestro has transcended his humble roots to become the “godfather of Canadian hip-hop”. He has won Juno Awards, was named CBC Music’s top Canadian rapper in 2013 and is the first Black Canadian to have a record hit certified platinum. Following these achievements, Maestro has been relentless in his pursuit of prominence through writing, motivational speaking, and acting. Maestro is now hitting the platform as a keynote speaker and has co-authored the book, Stick to Your Vision and has come a long way since his original hit single, Let Your Backbone Slide. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
“As I evolve, I realize, you can have a vision, but sometimes you have to have a re-vision. A lot of people have ideas, and they stay in their little box. I decided to keep on moving.[…] Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t accomplish what you want to do. Revise yourself.”