Why yes, you could smoke indoors.
JUNO Winning Powerhouse Crystal Shawanda Announces New Album – Midnight Blues
JUNO Award-winning powerhouse singer-songwriter Crystal Shawanda is back with a new studio album, Midnight Blues, set for release this September 30th on True North Records. The latest fiery bluesy Americana collection features the first single “How Bad Do You Want It” — showcasing her full-throttle raspy voice, unmatched in today’s musical landscape, and an authenticity for the genre dating back to her youth.
“Growing up, all of my favorite music had these breadcrumbs that led me to the blues,” Crystal says. “I often quote Willie Dixon: ‘Blues is the roots and everything else is the fruits.’ Even today’s pop music, there’s all this influence that derives from the blues. I was just always really attracted to the rawness and the realness of the blues.”
Produced and engineered in Nashville by her husband and long-time collaborator Dewayne Strobel, Midnight Blues — her eighth studio album, and fifth since switching from a chart-topping career as a country artist — is a collection of original songs, such as the seductive-sounding rocker “Midnight Blues,” swampy dance-floor groove “Rumpshaker,” and gentler “Take A Little Walk With The Moon,” as well as covers of the Howlin’ Wolf classic “Evil” and her take on Celine Dion’s hit “That’s Just The Woman In Me.”
“This is absolutely my favorite album I’ve ever recorded because I feel like my husband put me in a picture frame,” says Crystal. “He really captured who I am as an artist. He let my vocal shine. He brought out the best in me and all the songs that we wrote really capture my live show and who I am.”
Born in Wiikwemkoong First Nation, on Manitoulin Island, in Northern Ontario, and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Crystal was introduced to the blues by her eldest brother and to old-time country by her parents. “I was also into other styles of music that led me to the blues,” she says, citing everything from Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” written by Big Mama Thornton, to R&B-pop star Monica’s “Misty Blue,” by Dorothy Moore.
“I was one of those kids who read the liner notes,” Crystal says. “I wanted to know everything, who are the songwriters, the musicians, the producers, the engineers. I’m always wanting to know who are the originators, who are the mothers of invention, who inspired all of us? I’m a purist at heart, so I was always diving back to learn from the masters, like Etta James, as far as vocalists; Muddy Waters, as far as feeling; and Buddy Guy, as far as stylists who have a lot of swagger.”
And yet Crystal’s first foray as a professional singer was in country music, not blues. She was in her early 20s and had immediate success after signing a U.S. record deal with RCA Nashville. 2008’s Dawn of a New Day, featuring the single “You Can Let Go,” reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Album chart and No. 16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums, the highest charting album by a full-blooded Canadian First Nations country artist (in the SoundScan-era). Her first single, You Can Let Go,”
The following year she left the label and created her own, New Sun Records. Her first release was the holiday album I’ll Be Home For Christmas. Her next country album was 2010’s Just Like You, which won a 2013 Juno Award for Best Aboriginal Album, before she made the change to the blues with 2014’s The Whole World’s Got The Blues.
“I love all styles of music, but there was just always something drawing me to the blues,” she explains. “I had a country hit on the radio, and I would show up at country music festivals and I’d do a BB King cover or Buddy Guy or Etta James. Within country music, as much as I loved it, I had to restrain my voice a lot. It’s very hard to hold back, and sometimes it was exhausting, whereas with the blues, I could just let it fly.”
While other artists have been embraced when they’ve made the switch to a different genre — Taylor Swift from country to pop; Dallas Smith from hard rock to country; and Darius Rucker from pop/rock to country — Crystal doesn’t mind talking about the difficulties she’s encountered.
“Country music is so excited when anybody from any genre comes to their world, hoping it’ll make their world more popular. It’ll up the cool factor but switching from country to blues is a lot more difficult because the blues scene is very protective because it’s such an original genre. They want it to be respected and preserved.”
She would’ve had an easier time if she had created a blues-influenced sound, like the Black Crowes, Sass Jordan or Alannah Myles, but Crystal can hold her own in any conversation about the blues pioneers. Still, she still likes to cover an iconic Canadian artist in her inimitable way. Last album, it was The Tragically Hip’s “New Orleans Is Sinking” and this time, Celine Dion.
“Because I had so much friction coming to the blues where people were like, ‘You don’t know nothing about the blues,’ I’m trying to show them not to be so close-minded because a lot of people are more inspired by the blues than they may realize. Again, I’m trying to reiterate that quote by Willie Dixon that the blues is roots and everything else is the fruit.”
Midnight Blues will be released worldwide on September 30, 2022.
// Midnight Blues Tracklisting:
“Midnight Blues”
“What Kind Of Man”
“Rumpshaker”
“How Bad Do You Want It”
“Why Do I Love You”
“Evil”
“I Just Want My Soul Back”
“That’s Just The Woman In Me”
“Hold Me”
“Walk With The Moon”
South Coast Jazz Announces 5-Year Worldwide Deal with Stingray DJazz Music TV & VOD
South Coast Jazz announces a five-year worldwide first-of-its-kind deal with Stingray DJazz Music TV and Video-On-Demand.
The platform is set to air a Special Edition of the South Coast Jazz Festival featuring performances and music from jazz legends Gene DiNovi, Dave Young, John Finley, the Lou Pomonti Trio, Charu Suri, Queen Pepper, Heather Bambrick, Aleef Mehdi, Ben Duff, and more.
Co-hosted by Canadian media icon Dini Petty alongside SCJ founding director, Juliann Kuchocki (Actra/SOCAN), the Special Edition release will be available in Fall 2022.
Heralded by the Wall Street Journal as one of the best festivals in the world to watch online, South Coast Jazz was originally founded as a live event in 2014 — pivoting swiftly to streaming amidst the global pandemic.
Created to celebrate and sustain live music and the arts, South Coast Jazz also endeavors to enrich and preserve culture, offer a diverse and inclusive platform for artists to thrive, and create both jobs and much-needed tourist experiences within its home base of Norfolk County, Ontario.
Now heading into its ninth annual event, the South Coast Jazz Festival has featured a wide array of emerging and established artists — including multi-JUNO and GRAMMY winners, Order of Canada recipients, and Walk of Fame icons — with amplification of Indigenous, youth, educational, family, and ASL programming.
Of the latter, the South Coast Jazz — and its non-profit umbrella, South Coast Cultural Society — are exponentially increasing accessibility and diversity with the addition of SCJ Certified ASL Deaf Musical Interpreter Gaitre Persaud, who visualizes the sound of rhythm, harmony, and melody for both the Festival and forthcoming live shows, streams, podcasts, and more.
“Our goal with South Coast Jazz is to delight audiences with the very best the scene has to offer,” Kuchocki shares.
Craymo Delivers Reggaeton Remix Of Hit “One Love One World (We Are One) (Freedom Mix)”
A culmination of hope and togetherness is often the imagery we get when we think about the ‘light at the end of the tunnel,’ and multi-award-winning artist Craymo delivers just that in his newly reimagined single, “One Love One World (We Are One) (Freedom Mix).”
A reggaeton anthem promoting harmony, peace, love, and sacrifice, the song features uplifting lyrics and much-need messages of unity and peace to provide the saving grace many are looking for.
Having first debuted 21 years ago as a message of love after the 9/11 attacks in New York, “One Love One World (We Are One)” recently received a makeover — just in time to deliver hot summer vibes.
With Brandon Jarrett offering backup vocals throughout this production as well as assisting in additional songwriting, the remix features tight drum machine work that drives a smooth reggaeton groove.
Above everything, fervent vocals provide themes of equality, tolerance, brotherhood, and unity as the song continues to offer an enduring message that encourages comradery throughout the world.
“In this world of constant changing / All our lives are rearranging now
All the struggle and all the pain / Are part of what we call the game…”
“21 years later, this song is still having a positive impact on the world!” Craymo shares. “This is a timeless song… We are one human race; I feel the world needs this song now more than ever.”
Craymo is a multi-award-winning songwriter who received Best Pop Dance Song and Best Pop Dance Mix for One Love One World in Fall 2021 Clouzine International Music Awards; his song “Love Me or Leave Me Alone” won Best Dance Song and Best Dance Artist in the Fall 2022 Clouzine International Electronic Music Awards.
Craymo was born in Massena, New York as Craig Stephen Raymo. Possessing music in his soul from an early age, Craymo found great joy in imitating the singers and bands he would listen to on his 45-RPM record player. Picking up the saxophone early on in primary school was merely Raymo’s introduction to the performing arts – he eventually played in bands throughout his school years, performed in choirs, and performed in community musical theatre productions.
From there, it was California dreaming as Craymo moved to Los Angeles to pursue his ambitions; he landed acting gigs in TV Soap Operas like General Hospital and Days of Our Lives — a return to the screen having first appeared on the international music scene as a male vocalist on Star Search ‘89 with Ed McMahon.
With his music licensed across multiple indie films and TV shows — including The Mysteries of Laura (NBC), The X Games (ESPN), The Orlando Citrus Parade (SYND), Sinbad’s Reality U (pilot), Toddlers and Tiaras (TLC), Chris And John to the Rescue (Canada), and more — he’s written hundreds of songs in between acting gigs; he eventually mentored under the great Bobby Womack before meeting producer David Longoria and going on to produce his first single, “Love Touch.”
Eventually, in 2001 post the 9/11 attacks, Craymo released the first rendition of “One Love One World (We Are One)” which was well received worldwide — the song was featured in the United Nations project UNESCO website newsongsforpeace.org; school teachers around the world downloaded the song and taught it to their students for performances at their schools; a village in Pang Liu Village in China used the song to help students learn to read English.
Watch This Amazing 9-Year-Old Cover Rush’s ‘Tom Sawyer’ On The Bass Guitar
The music future looks great with Ellen Alaverdyan already coveting Rush’s Tom Sawyer.
ARKELLS to Receive 2022 Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour at Canada’s Walk of Fame Gala
Canada’s Walk of Fame announced today that eight-time JUNO Award-winning rock group Arkells are the recipients of the 2022 Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour in recognition of their positive impact on others and contributions to the community.
Arkells (Max Kerman, Mike DeAngelis, Nick Dika, Tim Oxford and Anthony Carone), have had a banner year since last August’s three once-in-a-return-from-a-pandemic history making nights that reopened the live music business at Toronto’s iconic Budweiser Stage. Between the release of their latest chart-topping album, Blink Once and their forthcoming album, Blink Twice, Arkells headlined the 108th Grey Cup Halftime Show in December 2021, performed at the 2022 JUNO Awards (while winning Group of the Year for the 5th time), and made their mark in Hamilton with the return of their hometown summer festival event “The Rally,” of one of the biggest headline shows in the country. The 2022 edition of “The Rally” concert at Tim Hortons Field broke attendance records at the stadium, with $1 from every ticket sold benefiting Indwell, a local organization that builds and maintains affordable and geared-to-income housing in Hamilton.
“The Rally” has become a highly anticipated and celebrated community event, known to be more than just a concert. Both the 2018 and 2022 editions featured free transit to and from the show, a local artisan market outside the stadium gates, and community bike share rides to the show, alongside the band. This year’s event included a special addition – the opening of the city’s brand new “The Rally Court” – a dazzling refurbished basketball court in Hamilton’s Ward 3 neighbourhood. Replete with brand new vibrant surfacing, glass backboards, bleachers and updated lighting, the court was spearheaded by the band, The City of Hamilton, and funded by Arkells’ friends in the basketball community: The Nick Nurse Foundation, The Foxcroft Family, Superfan Nav Bhatia, and Canada Basketball.
Although “The Rally” concert events are most symbolic of their generosity and community spirit, Arkells have been paying it forward from the road, raising over $250,000 via their partnership with PLUS1. While touring, $1 for every ticket sold has been allocated to organizations that work towards health access for traditionally marginalized and vulnerable communities across the country. They regularly give their time and talent to inspire and uplift others. Throughout the pandemic, many became familiar with Arkells’ “Flatten The Curve” music class, a headline grabbing, free daily music lesson that acted as a reliable outlet for fans all over the world, and helped raise $50,000 for the Food Band of Canada. The FTC Music Class simultaneously bolstered support, both financial and in kind for music programs in Southern Ontario. Their covid relief efforts raised over $15,000 to contribute to virtual programming updates for Hamilton’s YMCA, and their song “All Roads,” served as the soundtrack to #TogetherAgain, a national vaccine awareness PSA to combat vaccine hesitancy during the height of the pandemic.
Hailed by The Globe and Mail as “the right kind of band for this decade,” Arkells are widely considered one of the most passionate, exuberant and in-demand live bands on the scene today. As radio mainstays, sports-sync shoe-ins and curious students of culture, Arkells have remained ever present – building awareness and personal community experiences around their live shows and new music at every turn. Arkells continue to release and tease new music in support of their chart-topping BLINK ONCE & hotly anticipated BLINK TWICE companion albums, while touring internationally.
Queen’s ‘Greatest Hits ‘Becomes First Album In Official Charts History To Reach 7 Million Sales In The UK
British rock legends Queen make UK chart history as they become the first act ever to reach 7 million UK chart ‘sales’ of an album, the Official Charts Company can confirm.
Queen break Official Chart records as they surpass the 7 million milestone with their 1981 Greatest Hits album. The Official best-selling album of all time in the UK, the record includes such classic tracks as We Will Rock You, Don’t Stop Me Now and the group’s top-selling behemoth Bohemian Rhapsody.
Greatest Hits reaches this record-breaking achievement through a combination of physical sales, downloads and streams.
Back in 2014, Queen’s Greatest Hits became the first album to ever surpass 6 million sales in the UK and, as pure sales (physical and digital download copies) of the collection continue to increase, the group’s back catalogue proves enduringly popular in the modern streaming age. Greatest Hits has accumulated an incredible 1.26 billion total UK streams to date, with the album’s most-streamed track being Bohemian Rhapsody, which boasts 240 million UK streams and counting.
The record also recently celebrated its 1000th week on the Official Albums Chart, with Queen becoming the first British act ever to achieve this landmark milestone.
Speaking to OfficialCharts.com, Queen guitarist Brian May says: “We’re here to bring you the joyous news that Queen’s Greatest Hits album has sold 7 million copies, which nobody has ever done before. No album has done this before in history. Thank you, we appreciate it.”
Queen’s Roger Taylor adds: “The British public and their infinitely-great taste have made this the biggest-selling album in history. Thank you very much; we’re humbled and honoured. We salute you!”
Martin Talbot, Chief Executive, Official Charts Company, comments: “It really is a fantastic achievement by Queen to become the first act to notch up 7 million sales of one album, with their legendary Greatest Hits. When it was released for the first time in 1981, career-spanning packages such as Greatest Hits were relatively rare, the preserve of only the very biggest acts. Queen’s Greatest Hits can claim to be in more than one-in-four UK households’ record collections today, and there is no doubt that its massive success has done as much as any other release to turn hits packages into the omnipresent album concept that they are today.”
This comes as Queen + Adam Lambert announce Rhapsody Over London; a concert film available to stream live and on-demand later this month.
The exclusive concert spectacular, filmed live at London’s O2 Arena during the group’s sold-out European tour, will premiere live via Kiswe’s global streaming platform on July 24. The stream will also include a Q&A with Brian, Roger and Adam, speaking backstage from the penultimate show of their European tour.
Rhapsody Over London will give fans worldwide the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Queen’s dazzling 28-song show, which honours the late Freddie Mercury.
Little Big Town To Release New Album ‘Mr. Sun’ On September 16
ACM, CMA and GRAMMY-winning band Little Big Town will release their highly anticipated 10th studio album Mr. Sun on September 16, 2022.
On Friday, July 22, the band will release a brand-new track and lyric video from the album, “Rich Man,” written by LBT’s Jimi Westbrook. Pre-save “Rich Man” here. An official music video for the song will arrive soon.
The genesis of Mr. Sun was unlike any of their previous albums. Due to the pandemic, the band found themselves off the road and apart for the first time ever throughout their 20-year journey. The resilience and creativity born from those months unearthed a deep appreciation for both one another, and the privilege of making music – ultimately inspiring the self-produced Mr. Sun, which packs both the sparkle of storytelling and the heat of truth-telling in a way only Little Big Town can.
“Mr. Sun is intentionally an emotional record that holds hands well with our last album Nightfall,” LBT’s Karen Fairchild shares. “Mr. Sun is focused on better days ahead, the value of friendships and family; it touches on heartbreak and letting go, but it’s full of sunshine and joy.”
“This album has a special feeling to it. We have collectively been through an unprecedented period making this album,” adds LBT’s Phillip Sweet. “Life is short; we are here to live it with the ones around us, loving them and ourselves the best we can. All the while, thankful for another turn around the sun.”
New and old relationships are woven through the Mr. Sun, with a member of the band writing or co-writing 13 of the 16 tracks, and a grand total of 33 songwriters hailing from 3 counties and 20 different states. These songwriting relationships span from 20-year friendships to first time connections, resulting in an album beaming with color across the entire spectrum.
Little Big Town first entered the music scene over 20 years ago with hit songs “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and the GRAMMY-nominated “Little White Church.” The band’s breakthrough albums Tornado and Pain Killer produced multiple #1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” and “Day Drinking,” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of the year (2015) “Girl Crush.” 2017’s The Breakerdebuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Charts and Top 10 (No. 4) on the Billboard 200 to critical acclaim. The album features their GRAMMY-winning, multi-week #1 single, “Better Man,” as well as the 2019 GRAMMY-nominated, “When Someone Stops Loving You.” The band’s self-produced ninth studio album Nightfall was released January 2020 and hit the top of the Billboard Country Charts. The record included critically-acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated “The Daughters,” “Over Drinking” and “Wine, Beer, Whiskey”- the latter of which has reached more than 362 million global streams. In April 2022, they released their new single “Hell Yeah,” which has amassed more than 21 million global streams to date. Little Big Town has earned more than 45 award show nominations and has taken home nearly 20 awards, including multiple GRAMMY, AMA, People’s Choice, CMA and ACM Awards, in addition to an Emmy award.
Mr. Sun Track List:
All Summer (Karen Fairchild, Sara Buxton, Madi Diaz, Ashley Ray, Savana Santos, Alysa Vanderheym)
Better Love (Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Tofer Brown, Audra Mae)
Hell Yeah (Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook, Corey Crowder, Tyler Hubbard)
Mr. Sun (Sarah Buxton, Daniel Tashian)
Three Whiskeys and the Truth (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose)
One More Song (Tofer Brown, Sean McConnell)
Heaven Had a Dance Floor (Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook, Cary Barlowe, Jesse Frasure)
Gold (Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Trent Dabbs, Luke Dick)
Rich Man (Jimi Westbrook)
God Fearing Gypsies (Karen Fairchild, Nicolette Hayford, Ashley Ray)
Different Without You (Corey Crowder, Jared Mullins, Steven Lee Olsen, Jordan Schmidt)
Whiskey Colored Eyes (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
Song Back (Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Todd Clark, Sara Haze, Jason Saenz)
Something Strong (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose)
Last Day On Earth (Karen Fairchild, Trent Dabbs, Tommy English)
Friends of Mine (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook, Foy Vance)
Previously released tracks from Mr. Sun include “All Summer” on July 1 and lead single “Hell Yeah” in April, which has amassed more than 21 million global streams since its release. Watch the music video for “Hell Yeah” here and the lyric video for “All Summer” here.
Little Big Town will kick off the brand-new series “CMT Summer Camp” with the premiere episode airing Thursday, August 12 at 9p/8c on CMT. The exclusive one-hour special will include performances of new music and some of LBT’s greatest hits for a night of summertime fun.
To celebrate the album’s release, the band will perform on the 2022 Citi Concert Series on TODAY on September 16 from the TODAY Plaza at 30 Rock.
Mr. Sun follows the band’s self-produced, 9th studio album Nightfall, which debuted atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart upon its January 2020 release and was nominated for Best Country Album at the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards. The record included critically-acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated “The Daughters,” “Over Drinking” and “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” – the latter of which has garnered more than 362 million global streams to date.
Little Big Town continues to bring their exceptional live shows to fans worldwide this summer – they recently wrapped up The Bandwagon Tour with Miranda Lambert and joined The Eagles on all dates of their European stadium tour this summer. This fall, Little Big Town will join Wynonna Judd on select dates of The Judds: The Final Tour.
Photo Gallery: Rage Against The Machine with Run The Jewels at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Tom Jackson Releases New Music Special & Fundraising Initiative in Support of Ukraine
For millions of Canadians, watching the devastating impact the conflict in Ukraine continues to cause has left us eager and wondering the best ways to help. As a long-standing beacon of inspiration and guidance in such situations, actor, singer, philanthropist, and Canadian Red Cross Ambassador Tom Jackson knows one such way with the release of “Red Cross Ukraine Appeal” — available now to watch here.
“Red Cross Ukraine Appeal” is available now, and donations to its fundraising initiative can be made here.
Concerned for the 7.5 Million+ children directly affected in Ukraine, as well as those around the world exposed to its news, the Companion of the Order of Canada recipient took time amidst his current filming schedule for CTV / Crave’s forthcoming production Sullivan’s Crossing to create the grassroots fundraising campaign. With so many avenues of aid required in response to the conflict, Jackson’s poignant focus with this initiative provides lift to the unique emotional and mental health support needed for youth’s well-being in the wake of the affray.
“After more than 100 days of conflict in Ukraine, the facts and images are particularly disturbing knowing that millions of children are at risk and directly affected,” Jackson shares. “The spillover is children around the world are also affected by this crisis in ways that they will probably never know…
“The conflict in Ukraine is not the ‘next normal,’” he continues. “Especially as international coverage fades and compassion fatigue sets in. Rebuilding and recovery will take years and, more importantly, we have to wonder: how will Ukraine’s next generation respond?
“Helping kids be kids again is our mission with this fundraiser; children around the world need to know there are adults committed to their well-being.”
Produced by Tomali Pictures Ltd and Joe Media Group, the sweeping music special features Jackson — in addition to band members Tom McKillip, Phil Hall, Samantha King, John Thiel, Joey McIntyre, and Simon Kendall.
The Calgary Philharmonic also appears in addition to Beverley Mahood, Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh, Mac Shepherd, Duane Steele, Christina Martin, Dale Murray, and dancers Kennedy Bomberry, Katie Couch, and Samantha Sutherland with choreography by Alejandro Ronceria.
“The musicians and artists featured in ‘Red Cross Ukraine Appeal’ continue to be extraordinarily generous with their time, creativity, and passion around issues that need to be heard,” Jackson says. “Just witness the talent in this fundraiser and you’ll understand their heart and drive.”
The 35-minute special available on YouTube also includes Canadian Red Cross President and CEO Conrad Sauve. The Red Cross is concerned for people impacted by the ongoing fighting — both those still in Ukraine and those who have fled to neighbouring countries; as such, there are currently upwards of 41,000 trained Red Cross volunteers actively responding to meet humanitarian needs in Ukraine and the surrounding regions.
“Every day I’m inspired by the work done by the Red Cross — especially those on the frontlines of conflict,” Jackson says of working with Sauve and the Red Cross as a long-time Ambassador. “The global show of solidarity and support for those affected by this crisis has been massive and instantaneous. Now is our chance to raise the standards of all refugees and displaced people in need of humanitarian support and protection.
“The best way to help kids be kids again is to support the teams of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society as they roll out their action plans, and producing this online concert is just one of the ways to support their efforts,” he adds. “My hope is that you and your loved ones are well, and can watch the video, pass it on, and ask the world to connect with us to help others.”