Home Blog Page 1257

Beverly Glenn-Copeland receives Canadian Artists Network’s 2023 Robert Johnston Visionary Artist Award

Eric Alper
-
0
Beverly Glenn-Copeland receives Canadian Artists Network’s 2023 Robert Johnston Visionary Artist Award

The Canadian Artists Network is proud to announce Beverly Glenn-Copeland as this year’s recipient of the Robert Johnston Visionary Artist Award. The Award is given annually to an artist whose exemplary work, produced away from the spotlight of the moment and without fanfare, has been a notable source of inspiration to others in the arts and/or whose visionary contributions to the arts and broader communities have been made in under-acknowledged or ‘behind the scenes’ roles.

Beverly Glenn-Copeland has had a significant impact across many spheres over his fifty-year career as a singer, songwriter, recording artist, and transgender advocate. As an artist, he has masterfully blended genres and expanded musical horizons, pushing boundaries and using his passion for nature and science, to craft a distinct sound. As a trans artist with a diverse cultural heritage, he has been a passionate supporter of Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ2S+ communities both in Canada and abroad.

“I am extraordinarily honoured to know that I have been chosen for the 2023 Robert Johnston Visionary Artist Award,” says Glenn-Copeland. “We live in challenging times and it means a great deal to me in this, my 80th year, to know my work has served as an inspiration to others.”

“Beverly Glenn-Copeland represents everything that the Canadian Artists Network stands for,” says Scott Walker, Executive Director of the Canadian Artists Network. “He broke new ground with his Keyboard Fantasies; he is still going strong in his 80th year, with his beautiful new album, The Ones Ahead. And he has a strong belief in the future generations of artists. He is proof positive that Creativity Lives Forever.”

The Robert Johnston Visionary Artist Award was introduced in 2019 and is named in honour of the late Bob Johnston, one of the Canadian Artists Network’s original board members, whose long career included serving as Deputy Minister of Culture for the Province of Ontario and General Manager of the National Ballet of Canada. Previous winners include Patty Gail Peaker, John Leberg, Elizabeth Doxtater and Terrill Maguire.

Throughout a fifty-year recording career, Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s music has defied categorisation and genre, its only consistency being the extraordinary fusion of vision, technology, spirituality and place.

Beverly Glenn-Copeland (Glenn to his friends and acquaintances) was born into a musical family and studied the classical piano repertoire from ‘cradlehood,’ listening to his father playing the piano four to five hours a day. He moved from his hometown of Philadelphia to study classical music at McGill University in 1961 (focusing on the European song repertoire) before he suddenly felt called to write music that would weave influences from the myriad musical cultures he had come to love.

After many years of absence from the concert stage, Glenn-Copeland has resumed performing with his new band, Indigo Rising, in Canada and Europe. With great joy and appreciation Glenn-Copeland acknowledges his deep connection with the younger generations that are now so enthusiastically embracing his music!

 

My SiriusXM Show This Week: The Black Crowes, Brittney Spencer, NAIIM And Sultans Of String

Eric Alper
-
0
My SiriusXM Show This Week: The Black Crowes, Brittney Spencer, NAIIM And Sultans Of String

My SiriusXM show: The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson; Country singer Brittney Spencer; 2023 Black Canadian Music Award winner NAIIM; Chris McKhool of Sultans Of String! Sat 8am + 4pm, Sun 12pm + 5pm, Wed 6pm (all ET), Channel 167 and any time on the SiriusXM app.

The JUNO Awards return to Vancouver in 2025

Eric Alper
-
0
The JUNO Awards return to Vancouver in 2025

Ahead of the upcoming 2024 JUNO Awards in Halifax, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today The JUNO Awards are making their way back to Vancouver in 2025, marking the fifth time the West Coast metropolis has hosted Canada’s Biggest Night in Music. The city will honour the nation’s top musical talent once again with 2025 JUNO Week being hosted in Vancouver, BC from Wednesday, March 26 to Sunday, March 30, culminating with the 54th Annual JUNO Awards broadcast, airing live on CBC and CBC Gem from Rogers Arena.

The 2025 edition of JUNO Week returns with the support of the Province of British Columbia, Destination Vancouver, City of Vancouver, Downtown Van, Creative BC, Music BC and the 2025 Host Committee. With more than 80 independent record labels and over 120 sound recording studios, the scenic city’s music arena is as diverse and vibrant as the province itself. The JUNO Awards were last in Vancouver when global icon Michael Bublé hosted the show in his hometown in 2018.

“Vancouver and the Province of BC are internationally recognized for its stunning scenery, but also for its incredible devotion to the arts,” says Allan Reid, President & CEO, of CARAS/ The JUNO Awards. “The 2018 JUNOS were an incredible experience with some of the most memorable performances in our history. We are so excited to return to the West Coast for another spectacular JUNOS in 2025 and to shine a spotlight on Vancouver’s status as a world-class music destination.“

“B.C. is a hotbed for emerging talent. From modern South Asian sounds, a thriving electronic music scene, to a strong Hip-Hop community, the music industry across B.C. is diverse,” expressed Nate Sabine, Vancouver JUNO Host Committee Co-Chair & President of Music BC. “Our goal is to continuously create opportunity and drive support for a burgeoning music ecosystem. A great example of that work is our stewardship of Let’s Hear It, a 2018 Vancouver JUNOS legacy brand. I take great pride in the fact that to date, the program has highlighted over 75 artists, and that this work will continue well past 2025.”

“British Columbia is one of Canada’s leading centres for music. Hosting the 2025 JUNO Awards in Vancouver is an excellent opportunity to showcase our province’s remarkable music scene and the incredible talent of our artists, said Lana Popham, British Columbia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We are excited to welcome fans and artists from across the country to Vancouver in 2025, offering them an unforgettable experience with our world-class hospitality and amazing tourist attractions.”

Captivating visitors from around the globe, British Columbia is a meeting place for travellers seeking to experience its unbelievable outdoor lifestyle, breathtaking views and Indigenous culture. A prized entertainment market with a thriving local music scene, the city attracts legendary artists to perform at its iconic music venues including the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, Commodore Ballroom, Rogers Arena and more. There is a remarkable breadth of artists who hail from Vancouver and British Columbia including award-winning producer Bob Rock and David Foster, Mother Mother, Michael Bublé, Sarah McLachlan,  AP Dhillon, and Lauren Spencer Smith.

“We are excited to welcome The JUNO Awards in Vancouver! Beyond celebrating the incredible talent in the Canadian music industry, we take pride in the rich diversity and culture that makes our city truly exceptional. We are going to make the 2025 JUNOs experience the best one yet, blending unity, culture, and lasting memories for all,” expressed Ken Sim, Mayor of Vancouver.

JUNOS has been touring Canada for over 20 years, generating an average economic impact of $12 million for the host city, becoming an engine for the economy.

The JUNO Awards have ventured across Canada from coast to coast starting in St. John’s in 2002 (and again in 2010), followed by Ottawa (2003, 2012 and 2017), Edmonton (2004, 2023), Winnipeg (2005 and 2014), Halifax (2006), Saskatoon (2007), Calgary (2008 and 2016), Vancouver (2009 and 2018), Toronto (2011, 2021 and 2022), Regina (2013), and Hamilton (2015).

The 53rd Annual JUNO Awards and 2024 JUNO Week is being hosted in Halifax, NS from Wednesday, March 20 to Sunday, March 24, 2024, closing with The JUNO Awards Broadcast. Nelly Furtado returns as host with the show broadcasting and streaming from Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre, live across the country at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. AT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, and globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos and CBC Music’s YouTube page. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.

My Next Read: “The Beach Boys” By The Beach Boys

Eric Alper
-
0
My Next Read: “The Beach Boys” By The Beach Boys

Their only official book, The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys is an anthology of one of the world’s greatest bands, published in a limited edition of only 500 copies worldwide. It captures the group’s astounding rise from Hawthorne garage band to internationally renowned act, covering the release of their first single, ‘Surfin”, up to their 1980 Independence Day concert at the National Mall in Washington D.C., for an audience of over half a million people. Through their unique sound, incredibly complex harmonies, and use of innovative recording techniques, The Beach Boys continue to inspire musicians. What’s more, they’ve become woven into the cultural fabric of America. This edition documents how it happened. You can get it from Genesis Publications.

Told through the words of Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson and Bruce Johnston, and accompanied by rare and iconic photographs and historical ephemera, the result is an extraordinary autobiography from America’s biggest band.

With unlimited access to the Capitol Records archive, the Beach Boys band archive and their personal archives, The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys has been carefully curated from these unique sources to create an exciting visual journey, combining never-before-seen negatives with iconic images.

Outtakes from legendary album sessions are featured, such as Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) and Pet Sounds, as well as behind-the-scenes recording photographs from Smile, 20/20 and more. An abundance of live shots includes the band’s first European tour and rehearsals for the first live performance of ‘Good Vibrations’, which Brian Wilson travelled over 2,000 miles to oversee.
These photographs are accompanied by ephemera from across the years, including tape boxes, tour posters and programmes, handwritten notes and lyrics, newspaper clippings, album advertisements, chord sheets and studio documents – all of which assist in illustrating their remarkable story.
The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys features new text drawn from extensive interviews with Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston exclusively for this edition, and archive text from band members Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson.
The band members describe their story from the beginning: signing their first recording contract with Capitol Records and creating some of the most flawless, sun-soaked singles of all time – ‘Surfer Girl’ / ‘Little Deuce Coupe’, ‘I Get Around’ / ‘Don’t Worry Baby’ and ‘California Girls’ / ‘Let Him Run Wild’, to name a few – as well as sharing their memories of making revered albums such as Pet Sounds, and fan-favourites Wild Honey, Friends, Sunflower and Holland. The story follows their journey around the world, from school fundraisers to global tours and landmark shows such as Prague when, in 1969, they were the first Western band to visit Czechoslovakia, and New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1972. Throughout, the band reflects on the making of the songs.
Joining them are a host of contributors who have been involved with or inspired by the band’s music, including Peter Blake, Lindsey Buckingham, Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Ray Davies, Bob Dylan, Def Leppard, the Flaming Lips, Bobby Gillespie, David Lee Roth, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Jim Kerr, Roger McGuinn, Graham Nash, Jimmy Page, Carly Simon, Pete Townshend, Rufus Wainwright and Thom Yorke.
The Beach Boys manage to defy decade, genre and form. They cannot be limited to songs about surfing, girls, California, or hot rods. Everything strove to go beyond – perhaps key to the Beach Boys’ durability; their ability to go further, to keep going until they reached a place that had not previously been reached in rock and pop music. The band’s longevity, experimentation and continuation of influence are without equal.
One of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful and influential bands of all time, the band are embedded within the cultural landscape of America and loved throughout the world. The Beach Boys spearheaded numerous genres, helped to legitimise popular music, and have had the most Billboard Top 40 hits from any US band (thirty-seven), and today their music continues to be revisited, reassessed, and reimagined.

Wu-Tang Clan Mastermind RZA to Receive 2024 NAMM Innovation Award at the Prestigious TEC Awards

Eric Alper
-
0
Wu-Tang Clan Mastermind RZA to Receive 2024 NAMM Innovation Award at the Prestigious TEC Awards

Revered producer and the mastermind behind the influential hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, RZA (Robert Diggs) will be presented with the TEC Innovation Award at The NAMM Show’s 2024 TEC Awards on Saturday, January 27 in Anaheim, California. The award honors individuals that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of recording technology.

“RZA’s formidable body of work and talent is unquestionable,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “His legacy of accomplishments and lasting power on music inspires many music makers beyond hip-hop and he deserves this high recognition.”

Diggs is a trailblazer in culture and in hip-hop, having created the group’s widely imitated core sound consisting of stark, booming beats, and chilling samples heavily drawing from vintage soul records as well as kung fu movies, which set the backdrop for the crew’s gritty narratives.

The Staten Island group entered the music scene in 1993 with “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers),” an album Rolling Stone dubbed one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (#27). The debut album included C.R.E.A.M.,” a track the magazine also feted in the #1 slot in its list of The 100 Best East Coast Hip-Hop Songs of All Time. Since then, the collective has sold more than 40 million albums globally.

Diggs’ renaissance career has also reached beyond recording with ventures into the world of television and films, earning him acting, directing, scoring, and producing credits on several notable projects. Diggs scored Jim Jarmusch’s “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai” and soundtracks for “Kill Bill Volume 1” and “Kill Bill: Volume 2.” He stars in the comedy film “Problemista,” which premiered at SXSW. He is also an Executive Producer for, and directed several episodes of, the original Hulu series honoring his group called “Wu-Tang: An American Saga.”

Now in its 39th year and presented by NAMM, the TEC Awards recognizes the best in professional audio and sound production and take place as a part of The NAMM Show, the largest music trade show in the world. Finalists in Outstanding Technical Achievement across twenty-three categories can be found at tecawards.org/nominees/2024/technical. Studio Design finalists can be found at tecawards.org/nominees/2024/studio. All finalists will be celebrated at a special communal reception designed to gather the crossroads of the industry being held on the campus of the Anaheim Convention Center on the evening of Saturday, January 27.

This honor continues NAMM’s celebration of all genres of music that resonate across culture and society and follows The NAMM Show’s 2023 Hip-Hop 50 events that honored Chuck D and GrandMixer DXT. The NAMM Show will include many opportunities for live music and panels, including a performance by emerging female hip-hop artist Blimes, and sessions such as Innovate and Elevate: Exploring DJ Technology with DJ Hapa, as well as signature events such as the Parnelli Awards, She Rocks Awards, and many other industry gatherings.

The Brooklyn Museum Announces Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm

Eric Alper
-
0
The Brooklyn Museum Announces Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm

As The Beatles captured the hearts of millions, Paul McCartney captured it all on his Pentax film camera. Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm takes visitors inside the 1963–64 frenzy of Beatlemania, as the band’s first U.S. tour skyrocketed them to global fame. More than 250 of McCartney’s photographs, recently rediscovered in his archives, reveal his singular vantage point at the center of this whirlwind of attention and adoration—illuminating both the historical, and the personal, moments McCartney and his bandmates experienced together. First on view at the National Portrait Gallery in London, England, the exhibition makes its New York debut at the Brooklyn Museum, opening May 3, 2024, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

“Since first arriving in New York in February 1964, Paul McCartney has built a strong, everlasting connection to the city. His vibrant photographs from The Beatles’ first visit capture the energy of the city, the excitement of the American fans, and the frenzy of the band’s status as celebrities. Yet the images also record The Beatles’ fun and delight with each other. Through McCartney’s lens, we feel the intensity of being at the center of such extraordinary events,” says Catherine Futter, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Senior Curator of Decorative Arts.

In an immersive installation of photography, video clips, and archival material, Eyes of the Storm traces the period when The Beatles played concert halls in Liverpool and
London and began to tour internationally, first to Paris and then to the United States. McCartney’s photographs convey the intensity of the band’s touring schedule in the U.S., as the Fab Four were swept from concerts to hotels to the road with rabid fans and paparazzi at their heels, from New York and Washington, DC, to Miami. The band’s arrival in New York signaled a turning point in popular culture, as their first televised performance on The Ed Sullivan Show was watched by around seventy-three million people and launched The Beatles into superstardom.

McCartney’s explorations in photography reflect his commitment to both the musical and visual arts. The range of work, from portraiture and landscape photos to documentary images, reveals McCartney’s familiarity with the formal styles of early 1960s photography. References to New Wave, documentary filmmaking, and photojournalism can be found across the exhibition.

Eyes of the Storm not only showcases McCartney’s artistic versatility but also serves as a personal and historical archive. In addition to documenting the demands of touring and nonstop media attention, the photographs evoke an affectionate family album, picturing his fellow band members, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, at a time when their lives were changing irrevocably. The exhibition gives visitors a highly personal glimpse into an extraordinary time period of one of music’s enduring legends.

Born in Liverpool, England, Paul McCartney rose to prominence as a founding member of The Beatles. Throughout his lifetime, McCartney has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of popular music and culture more broadly.

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm has been organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, England, in collaboration with Paul McCartney. It is curated by Paul McCartney with Sarah Brown for MPL Communications and Rosie Broadley for the National Portrait Gallery. The presentation at the Brooklyn Museum is organized by Catherine Futter, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Senior Curator of Decorative Arts, and Jennie Tang, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director of Art and the Director of Curatorial Affairs.

The Killers Set To Perform Iconic Debut Album ‘Hot Fuss’ In Full For The First Time Ever With Las Vegas Residency

Eric Alper
-
0
The Killers Set To Perform Iconic Debut Album ‘Hot Fuss’ In Full For The First Time Ever With Las Vegas Residency

The Killers have announced a special residency to take place this year in their home city of Las Vegas. The legendary band – Brandon Flowers (vocals), Dave Keuning (guitar), Mark Stoermer (bass) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr (drums) – will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their iconic debut album, Hot Fuss, by performing the record front to back for the first time ever. The residency will run between August 14 to 30 at Las Vegas’ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.  Tickets are on sale starting January 27 and will be available HERE. Special collectors programs will also be available for purchase. Full dates are below.

Last month, the group released Rebel Diamonds, a curated dive into an impressive catalog of songwriting and musicianship – one that has solidified the band as one of the most important voices in rock ‘n’ roll over the last two decades. The album of highlights features 20 tracks, including the recently certified Diamond “Mr. Brightside,” along with other modern day classics “When You Were Young,” “All These Things That I’ve Done,” “Human,” “Read My Mind” and more.

2024 LIVE DATES:
Aug 14 @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Aug 16 @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Aug 17 @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Aug 21 @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Aug 23 @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Aug 24 @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Aug 28 @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Aug 30 @ The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

André 3000 Announces 2024 ‘New Blue Sun’ Tour Dates

Eric Alper
-
0
André 3000 Announces 2024 ‘New Blue Sun’ Tour Dates

André 3000 has unveiled a 2024 tour to support his critically esteemed and internet-breaking 2023 project New Blue Sun. Accompanied by album collaborators Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, Deantoni Parks and co-producer Carlos Niño, André will bring his visionary dreamscapes to seven American cities to score the passage into spring. The tour begins next Monday, Jan. 29, at Crown Hill Theatre in Brooklyn, N.Y., and continues for 29 engagements through early March.

After the tour’s inaugural performance, André has booked a six-show residency at New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club, where he will present two shows each night from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2. The ensemble will then move on to Brooklyn, N.Y.’s historic St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church for two intimate performances on Feb. 5 and 6. Next, the band will travel to the Midwest for seven shows in the chapels, halls and conservatories of Chicago and Detroit. Following four subsequent performances at Bimbo’s 365 Club and The Independent in San Francisco, André will head south for four hometown shows in Atlanta, taking the stage at the Variety Playhouse on Feb. 27-29 and Center Stage Theatre on March 2. Finally, Andre will conclude the tour with a five-night stint at Los Angeles’ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever on March 5-9.

After attaining international superstardom as half of Atlanta hip hop duo Outkast, André 3000 made headlines last year for the surprise release of his debut solo album, the artist’s first offering since Outkast’s 2006 musical Idlewild. Surprises continued as fans realized that André’s new release presented a dramatic left turn in his catalog, composed entirely of atmospheric ambient works featuring the artist’s experimentation with electronic woodwinds; fittingly, the album’s intro track is titled “I swear, I Really Wanted to Make A “Rap” Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time.” Once the dust settled, André’s latest project was met with critical renown for its bold decisions as well as widespread popularity among fans and new listeners alike, introducing a new generation to the cutting edge in avant-garde soundscapes.

Andre 3000 Tour Dates:January 29 – Crown Hill Theatre – Brooklyn, N.Y.
January 31 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York (8:00pm show)
January 31 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York (10:30pm show)
February 1 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York (8:00pm show)
February 1 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York (10:30pm show)
February 2 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York (8:00pm show)
February 2 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York, NY (10:30pm show)
February 5 – St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church – Brooklyn, N.Y.
February 6 – St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church – Brooklyn, N.Y.
February 8 – Cliff Bell’s – Detroit
February 9 – The Chapel at Masonic Temple – Detroit (7:00pm show)
February 9 – The Chapel at Masonic Temple – Detroit (10:00pm show)
February 12 – Thalia Hall – Chicago
February 13 – 1357 N Elston – Chicago
February 15 – Garfield Park Conservatory – Chicago (7:00pm show)
February 15 – Garfield Park Conservatory – Chicago (9:00pm show)
February 20 – Bimbo’s 365 Club – San Francisco
February 22 – Bimbo’s 365 Club – San Francisco
February 24 – The Independent – San Francisco (7:00pm show)
February 24 – The Independent – San Francisco (9:00pm show)
February 27 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta
February 28 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta
February 29 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta
March 2 – Center Stage Theater – Atlanta
March 5 – The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever – Los Angeles
March 6 – The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever – Los Angeles
March 7 – The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever – Los Angeles
March 8 – The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever – Los Angeles
March 9 – The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever – Los Angeles

SiriusXM And CCMA Launch Search For Canada’s Next Country Music Superstar

Eric Alper
-
0
SiriusXM And CCMA Launch Search For Canada’s Next Country Music Superstar

Today, SiriusXM Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Country Music Association, proudly announced the kickoff of the 6th annual SiriusXM Top of the Country competition. Open across Canada, the contest offers incredible mentorship and development opportunities, along with the ultimate prize of being named the 2024 SiriusXM Top of the Country winner and $25,000. The two runners-up will each receive $10,000. Registration is now open to solo artists and groups until February 2 at topcountry.siriusxm.ca.

The competition is renowned for helping to launch the careers of some of Canada’s top country music talent including Tyler Joe Miller and SACHA. The 2023 winner, Hailey Benedict, is gearing up for a summer of touring across the country and expressed her gratitude for the transformative experience.

“The SiriusXM Top of the Country competition was an absolute game-changer for my career, helping develop my skills and providing opportunities to reach new audiences and perform on some major stages. The exposure and support I received were truly invaluable, opening many doors for my future and longevity in country music!”

SiriusXM Top of the Country is designed to help build and promote Canadian talent, providing country artists with a unique and memorable journey. Following registration, eight semi-finalists are selected by an expert panel to record in-studio, with the public voting on their favourites. Three finalists will then embark on a summer of showcases including Lasso Montréal (August 16-17) and a performance spot at the 2024 CMA Fest in Nashville, plus mentorship and connection opportunities with key industry players. The competition culminates with the finalists performing at Country Music Week 2024 in Edmonton, with the winner announced live on-stage before appearing on the 2024 CCMA Awards presented by TD broadcast.

“We are thrilled to call on Canadian country music talent to register this year, reaffirming our commitment to discovering and developing exceptional artists in Canada,” said Michelle Mearns, Vice President, Programming & Operations, SiriusXM Canada. “This has become a significant platform for artists to showcase their skills and take their careers to new heights, and we’re extremely proud to be able to provide this opportunity.”

“We’re ecstatic to once again join forces with SiriusXM to bring this incredible competition to life,” said Amy Jeninga, President of CCMA. “The CCMA is all about recognizing and celebrating our Canadian country music community, and throughout our ongoing partnership, now in its sixth year, SiriusXM has been a pivotal platform for emerging artists, showcasing the extraordinary depth of talent we have in this genre.”

SiriusXM’s Top of the Country, in partnership with the CCMA, is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing commitment of promoting and elevating the best emerging Canadian music talent. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach.

 

Jersey Jack Pinball Announces Partnership With Musical Icon Elton John

Eric Alper
-
0
Jersey Jack Pinball Announces Partnership With Musical Icon Elton John

Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP) has partnered with musical icon Elton John on its latest masterpiece, Elton John Pinball, now available for purchase!

This remarkable pinball machine—designed and manufactured in the United States by JJP in close collaboration with Elton John—ushers in a new era of kinetic entertainment, featuring state-of-the-art technology, innovative design, and a dynamic music experience, including songs such as Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer, Bennie And The Jets, and many more of Elton’s greatest hits.

Hall of Fame game designer Steve Ritchie and his team have created a pinball experience that will delight casual players, collectors, and enthusiasts alike, showcasing Elton John’s legendary career through the inventiveness and quality that are synonymous with Jersey Jack Pinball. Arcades and collectors can now own a cherished piece of musical history and pinball artistry, melded into one exceptional collectible.

“Having Elton John actively involved in the creative process sets a new standard for pinball machines and showcases the passion and artistry that go into every aspect of JJP games,” says Steve Ritchie.

Featuring Elton John’s iconic songs, legendary performances, and dazzling stage presence, Elton John Pinball machine takes players on a pinball journey inspired by his illustrious career. The game is a playable masterpiece, merging cutting-edge sound, video, and game design with groundbreaking technology. Players are transported to the front row of his live performances as they groove to 16 full-length studio master tracks delivered through a 120-Watt, 2.1 stereo sound system. The game further comes to life with over 1,000 interactive LED lights and multiple LCD displays. Animations and exclusive footage from Elton’s remarkable career complete the overall package.

Elton John Pinball can be purchased directly through an authorized Jersey Jack Pinball distributor. A complete list of distributors can be found here.

1...1,2561,2571,258...3,016Page 1,257 of 3,016

Follow us on Instagram @thatericalper

That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

Popular posts

Popular category

© Copyright - That Eric Alper