YouTuber Davidlap unleashes some unique ways to mimic musical instruments on his guitar.
Why Do Wolves Transmit Low-Frequency Sounds?
There’s a reason why some species communicate with lower sounds.
2020 ASCAP Pop Music Awards: Louis Bell Is ASCAP Pop Music Songwriter Of The Year; “Sucker” Is Pop Song Of The Year
Debuting an innovative virtual awards format, the 2020 ASCAP Pop Music Awards will recognize pop music icons, chart-topping producers and the genre’s hottest rising stars on social media June 17 – 18. ASCAP will honor each winner with their own social post over the next two days with the hashtag #ASCAPAwards, and fans, friends and peers can tune in for the reveal of exclusive photos, videos and more from the songwriters and publishers of the most performed pop music of the past year.
Acclaimed hitmaker Louis Bell receives the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award for the second year in a row for his work on songs including “Sucker” (The Jonas Brothers), “Without Me” (Halsey) and “Goodbyes” (Post Malone feat. Young Thug). Bell will accept the award in a video to be shared @ASCAP on Instagram & Twitter.
After a year of milestone achievements for ASCAP music creators, two standout singles take home top honors. “Sucker” (The Jonas Brothers), co-written by ASCAP songwriter Louis Bell and published by Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, takes Song of the Year. Most Streamed Song of the Year goes to “Old Town Road (Remix) Feat. Billy Ray Cyrus” (Lil Nas X), co-written by ASCAP hitmakers Jozzy and Trent Reznor and published by Form and Texture Inc., Kobalt Music and Songs by MPA Music Publishing Accelerator. Jozzy will appear on @ASCAP in an exclusive video.
Publisher of the Year is presented to Kobalt for their role in multiple hits of the past year including “Close to Me” (Diplo, Ellie Goulding & Swae Lee) and “Memories” (Maroon 5). BMG takes Independent Publisher of the Year for their work on major songs “Panini” (Lil Nas X), “Someone You Loved” (Lewis Capaldi) and more. ASCAP will share videos from both teams on its social channels.
ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams provided a video introduction to this year’s virtual celebration, remarking that “…this moment… offers an opportunity for all of us to come together and take action to create a lasting, much-needed transformation in how we treat each other. We believe your music will meet the moment as it has so many times in our nation’s troubled history — by lifting our spirits, giving us hope and inspiring change.”
ASCAP will unveil more surprise photos and videos from writers of winning songs including Ariana Grande’s “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored,” Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” and Dean Lewis’s “Be Alright” over the next two days.
In support of The ASCAP Pop Music Awards, ASCAP Experience: Home Edition will feature special online programming spotlighting some of the 2020 winners on Thursday, June 18. The pop-inspired panels include Anatomy of a Song: “If I Can’t Have You” with Scott Harris and Ziggy Chareton and a featured conversation with Grammy-winning producer and songwriter FINNEAS and Glen Hansard. Registration is free and more details are at www.ascapexperience.com.
A complete list of winners can be found on the ASCAP website: www.ascap.com/popawards20.
Toronto’s ViVA TRIO Releases Special Rendition of “O CANADA” with Multi-Award Winning Top Canadian Artists
In honour of Canada Day 2020, internationally acclaimed vocalist trio ViVA Trio have assembled an incredible all-Canadian cast of talent to perform their rendition of “O Canada” virtually on Thursday, June 25th at 8pm EST via YouTube, Facebook & Instagram, and Wednesday, July 1st at 8pm EST via YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
The multi-date performance will feature ViVA Trio’s sopranos Anna Bateman & Katya Tchoubar and mezzo-soprano Erin Fisher — a stunning set in their own right.
The trio is joined by multi-JUNO Award-nominee Gavin Hope (The Nylons), JUNO Award-winning and GRAMMY Award-nominated MET Opera regular and Officer of the Order of Canada Russell Braun, JUNO Award-nominated tenor Mark Masri, The North of Nashville Star winning singer and actor Graham Scott Fleming, and female vocalist and star of Stargate: Atlantis Rachel Luttrell.
Instrumentalists for the piece include pianist Mark Camilleri — who has shared the stage with Il Divo, Celine Dion, Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Paul Anka, Sarah McLachlan, David Foster, Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, to name a few — and internationally recognized violinist Vasil Popadiuk.
The collaboration is set to honour the spirit of Canada Day and create a sense of community — most especially whilst the COVID-19 pandemic keeps Canadians at home. “This Canada Day will be one that we all remember forever, for numerous reasons,” ViVA Trio’s Erin Fisher says. “We hope our version of the anthem will lift people’s spirits, and overflow with Canadian pride.”
“We are connected to each of these wonderful performers, and hope that this anthem creates the feeling of community that we have within this group of artists,” Anna Bateman agrees.
“Regardless of the situation, we want to kick off this Canada Day with a bang!” Katya Tchoubar, who edited and produced the video and sound files as well, adds. “Incredible Canadian talents all coming together!”
Canada’s First & Only Professionally Produced LIVE-Streamed Concert Series via BLUE FROG STUDIOS & BLUE FROG TV Announces July Lineup
White Rock, BC’s Blue Frog Studios has announced their exclusive early-Summer live concert lineup — including Jim Byrnes, The Kingpins, and more!
The homegrown ‘first-and-only of its kind’ series of live-streamed concerts from the British Columbia-based broadcast and recording theatre are an experience for the ages, and feature everything audiences traditionally enjoy from a live show: premium production, incredible acoustics, stunning visuals…
Only thing missing is a drink spilled on your shoe!
“This is a way for audiences to support and enjoy live music from their comfy couch,” Blue Frog Studios co-owner Kelly Breaks says. “We connect Canadians with performers and immerse them in the best concert sound they’ll ever experience at home.”
Artists agree: GRAMMY and JUNO Award-winning singer/songwriter Dan Hill says “I want to kidnap Blue Frog Studios and take it around the world with me. I can’t wait to come back!” while Platinum-selling and one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s Greatest Singers of All Timers Paul Rodgers says “LOVE Blue Frog… What a great room.”
Located in the west coast beach town of White Rock, Blue Frog’s state-of-the-art concert theatre was already a jewel on the Canadian concert scene long before COVID-19 and the resulting concert cancellations factored in. Able to accommodate up to an 80-piece orchestra plus an intimate 100-seat audience, the studio provides world-class sound, lighting, video and audio recording technology — all helmed by an unparalleled production team.
Tickets for concerts at Blue Frog Studios can be purchased in advance for individual shows, or music lovers can subscribe to the Studio’s Blue Frog TV. The $7.99 monthly ‘ticket’ of sorts includes a virtual seat to all upcoming live streams, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and extended access to Blue Frog’s full library of archived shows — including the Philosopher Kings, Jane Bunnett, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Crystal Shawanda, Jefferson Starship, Sue Foley, Daniel Wesley, Powder Blues, and (many) more.
July Concert Lineup at Blue Frog Studios: Tickets for Blue Frog Live Streams
Jim Byrnes
Saturday, July 4th @ 7pm PST / 10pm EST
Earlybird tickets @ $14.50 ($19.50 after July 2nd)
The Kingpins
Saturday, July 11th @ 7pm PST / 10pm EST
Earlybird tickets @ $14.50 ($19.50 after July 9th)
Ladies Sing the Blues
Saturday, July 18th @ 7pm PST / 10pm EST
Earlybird tickets @ $14.50 ($19.50 after July 16th)
John Mayer Gives A 45-Minute Lesson In Guitar Playing
As one YouTuber commented, “Intermediate to most = plugging in the guitar. Intermediate to John = playing the whole Jimmy Hendrix set.”
DOWNCHILD 50th Anniversary CD “Live At The Toronto Jazz Festival” Released August 14, 2020
One year ago today to the day, The Legendary Downchild Blues Band shut down Bloor Street West in Toronto to kick off their 50th Anniversary Tour in Canada, with a blues party for the ages at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, to over 10,000 fans, who packed the street to catch a glimpse of the world renowned band.
To mark the occasion, the band invited along some very special guests to help celebrate including, long-time friend and Hollywood Star Dan Aykroyd, former Letterman bandleader, Paul Shaffer, blues/rock icon David Wilcox, Grammy nominee, Kenny Neal, Gene Taylor (Fabulous Thunderbirds), Peter Jeffrey and Finland`s Queen of slide guitar Erja Lyytinen.
Downchild had a full slate of tour dates throughout the country this spring for the second half of their 50th Anniversary Tour, that was supposed to culminate with a grand finale show on June 22, 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit, and the band had to postpone all their shows until this fall for the safety of fans and to follow the direction of Heath Canada.
While they cannot perform LIVE right now, the band felt the next best thing they could do was release a LIVE CD to lift fans spirits in this challenging time and give them a live music concert experience. Fortunately, producer, L. Stu Young recorded their historic show in Toronto last summer and was impressed with results when he listened back to the performance.
“Live At The Toronto Jazz Festival” is set for release on August 14, 2020 and will be exclusively available to purchase NOW through a special PRE-SALE on the band’s website here. The first 100 fans to buy the CD between June 22 – July 3 will receive a personally autographed copy and will get it in advance of the official release date. With the COVID-19 pandemic cause havoc for all touring Canadian musicians, Downchild will donate $5.00 for every CD sold to the Unison Benevolent Fund in support of their fellow musicians in these challenging times.
“We are honoured to be able to support a great cause like Unison, that truly takes care of our own, in supporting Canadian artists and Canadian music industry professionals in this difficult time. Like so many people across the country and around the world, the music community has been hit hard by the pandemic.” – Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh
The Unison Benevolent Fund is a non-profit, registered charity that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community. They are there to help professional music-makers in times of hardship, illness, or economic difficulties.
“Live At The Toronto Jazz Festival” Track Listing:
1) Can You Hear The Music
2) Understanding & Affection
3) It’s A Matter of Time (Featuring David Wilcox)
4) Madison Blues (Featuring David Wilcox)
5) One In A Million
6) I’m Gonna Tell Your Mother (Featuring Gene Taylor)
7) Mississippi Woman, Mississauga Man (Featuring Erja Lyytinen)
8) Shotgun Blues
9) Soul Man (Featuring Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer & Kenny Neal)
10) I Got Everything I Need (Almost) (Featuring Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer & Kenny Neal
11) Flip Flop and Fly (Featuring Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer, David Wilcox, Kenny Neal & Erja Lyytinen)
12) TV Mama
2018 Juno Award winners, Downchild, include some of the most well-respected musicians in the country, who have performed together for over 25 years. Guitarist, harmonica player, leader and co-founder of the band, DONIE WALSH, lead singer and harmonica player CHUCK JACKSON, PAT CAREY on tenor sax, MIKE FITZPATRICK on drums, GARY KENDALL on bass, and former American super-group rocker MICHAEL FONFARA (of Rhinoceros/Lou Reed fame) on keyboards.
The Official Trailer for “Creem: America’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll Magazine” Doc
Capturing the messy upheaval of the ’70s just as rock was re-inventing itself, the film explores CREEM Magazine’s humble beginnings in post-riot Detroit, follows its upward trajectory from underground paper to national powerhouse, then bears witness to its imminent demise following the tragic and untimely deaths of its visionary publisher, Barry Kramer, and its most famous alum and genius clown prince, Lester Bangs, a year later. Fifty years after publishing its first issue, “America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine” remains a seditious spirit in music and culture.