All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Photo Gallery: I Prevail with Issues at Niagara Falls’ Rapids Theatre
That day Lou Reed and John Cale took over WPIX in New York City
in January 1979, Lou Reed and John Cale visited the music station WPIX in New York City to be the hosts for an afternoon and immediately garnered the attention of everyone listening. Reed is in a hostile mood, already, until later on he takes some calls from listeners. In between he rails against the record industry, music critics, and almost everything else on his mind. God bless them both.
François Clemmons Reflects on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
In February 1968, the children’s television program “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” debuted nationally.
Besides its eponymous creator, the show also featured a cast of characters from Mister Rogers’ make-believe world (King Friday XIII, Daniel Striped Tiger, and Bob Dog), and his “real” world (Mr. and Mrs. McFeely, Lady Aberlin, and Handyman Negri).
François Clemmons was cast in the “real” world as Officer Clemmons.
Fred Rogers met François in 1968 after hearing him sing in a Pittsburgh-area church they both attended. He was so impressed with his voice that he asked him to join the show. At the time, François was a graduate student working on getting his singing career going and was reluctant to accept Fred’s offer. But after realizing he would get paid to appear on the show—enabling him to afford his rent—François accepted, becoming the first African American actor to have a recurring role on a children’s television series.
For 25 years François appeared on the show while maintaining a separate career as a professional singer. In 1973, his performance with the Cleveland Orchestra earned him a Grammy Award and his love of spiritual music later led him to found the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble. He also spent 16 years as an artist-in-residence at Middlebury College in Vermont until his retirement in 2013.
François came to StoryCorps to discuss how he became the friendly singing Officer Clemmons, and his relationship with the man known to children as Mister Rogers.
James Barker Band And Brett Kissel Lead With Five 2019 CCMA Award Nominations Each
And they’re off! Today the Canadian Country Music Association announced its nominees for the 2019 CCMA Awards presented by TD. Leading the pack with five nominations each are 2018 Single of the Year Award-winning group James Barker Band and reigning Interactive Artist of the Year Brett Kissel.
Kissel is nominated in the following categories: Entertainer of the Year, Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award,Interactive Artist or Group of the Year, MNP Male Artist of the Year, Anthem Entertainment Songwriter(s) of the Year while James Barker Band will compete to take home wins in the Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, Interactive Artist or Group of the Year, Group or Duo of the Year, Single of the Year, Anthem Entertainment Songwriter(s) of the Year categories.
Following closely behind with four nominations apiece are Paul Brandt (Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, MNP Male Artist of the Year), Lindsay Ell (Female Artist of the Year, Interactive Artist or Group of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year), Tim Hicks (Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, MNP Male Artist of the Year), The Reklaws (Album of the Year, Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, Group or Duo of the Year,Video of the Year), Tenille Townes (Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Anthem Entertainment Songwriter(s) of the Year, Video of the Year) and Dallas Smith (Entertainer of the Year,Album of the Year, Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, MNP Male Artist of the Year).
Returning to the 2019 CCMA Awards broadcast after a 30-year hiatus, the Entertainer of the Year Award will see Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, Tim Hicks, Brett Kisseland Dallas Smith go head to head to win the most coveted award of the night.
Chosen by Canadian country music fans, the Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award nominees were announced late last night. Nomination leaders Brett Kissel and James Barker Band will compete with fellow country heavyweights Gord Bamford, Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, Tim Hicks, Hunter Brothers, The Reklaws, Dallas Smith and Guylaine Tanguay for fan votes heading into the biggest night of country music in Canada.
Voting for the Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award is now open. Canadian country music fans can vote by streaming on applemusic.com/CCMAawards or by visiting www.ccma.org/applemusicfanschoice. All rules and regulations for the voting process can also be found online.
ARTIST AWARDS
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Paul Brandt
Dean Brody
Tim Hicks
Brett Kissel
Dallas Smith
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Fall – Dallas Smith
Feels Like That – The Reklaws
The Journey BNA Vol. 2 – Paul Brandt
Love A Girl – Tebey
New Tattoo – Tim Hicks
State Of Mind – Hunter Brothers
APPLE MUSIC FANS’ CHOICE
Gord Bamford
Paul Brandt
Dean Brody
Tim Hicks
Hunter Brothers
James Barker Band
Brett Kissel
The Reklaws
Dallas Smith
Guylaine Tanguay
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lindsay Ell
Jess Moskaluke
Meghan Patrick
Guylaine Tanguay
Tenille Townes
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
High Valley
Hunter Brothers
James Barker Band
The Reklaws
The Washboard Union
INTERACTIVE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lindsay Ell
Aaron Goodvin
James Barker Band
Brett Kissel
Nice Horse
MNP MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Paul Brandt
Dean Brody
Tim Hicks
Brett Kissel
Dallas Smith
RISING STAR
Shawn Austin
Jade Eagleson
Eric Ethridge
JoJo Mason
Sons Of Daughters
ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion – Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion
Both Ways – Donovan Woods
Heart Of Glass – Jessica Mitchell
Juliet – Dan Davidson
What We’re Made Of – The Washboard Union
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Criminal – Lindsay Ell
Dive Bar – Gord Bamford
Good Together – James Barker Band
Somebody’s Daughter – Tenille Townes
Walls Come Down – Meghan Patrick
ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Brett Kissel, Seth Mosley, Brad Rempel
Song: Cecilia (Performed By: Brett Kissel)
Gord Bamford, Bart Butler, Brice Long
Song: Down (Performed By: Gord Bamford)
James Barker, Todd Clark, Gavin Slate, Travis Wood
Song: Keep It Simple (Performed By: James Barker Band)
Corey Crowder, Jess Moskaluke, Jared Mullins
Song: Save Some Of That Whiskey (Performed By: Jess Moskaluke)
Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Tenille Townes
Song: Somebody’s Daughter (Performed By: Tenille Townes)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Camouflage – Jess Moskaluke
Criminal – Lindsay Ell
Feels Like That – The Reklaws
Somebody’s Daughter – Tenille Townes
Walls Come Down – Meghan Patrick
MUSICIAN AWARDS
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kirby Barber
Lisa Dodd
Curtis Ebner
Doug Elash
Justin Kudding
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Ben Bradley
Flavio Cirillo
Rich DaSilva
Chad Melchert
Rob Wells
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Linsey Beckett
Tyler Beckett
Denis Dufresne
Mike Sanyshyn
Tyler Vollrath
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Paul Chapman
Ryan Davidson
Matt McKay
Darren Savard
Geoff Torrn
KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mike Little
Bart McKay
Brendan Waters
SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
David Barber
Denis Dufresne
Shane Guse
Mitch Jay
Connor Riddell
STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Darrek Anderson
Mitch Jay
Doug Johnson
Stephano Barberis
Video: 20 Dollars In My Pocket (Artist: The Lovelocks), Video: 24 Reasons (Artist: Kadooh), Video: Dive Bar (Artist: Gord Bamford), Video: Downtown Kids (Artist: David James), Video: Everything Girl (Artist: Dave Hartney), Video: Make ‘Em Like You (Artist: Dallas Smith), Video: Walls Come Down (Artist: Meghan Patrick);
Ben Knechtel
Video: Ain’t My Fault (Live From Toronto / 2019) (Artist: Jade Eagleson), Video: Count The Ways (Artist: Jade Eagleson), Video: Dear Drunk Me (Artist: Chad Brownlee), Video: Feels Like That (Artist: The Reklaws), Video: Forever’s Gotta Start Somewhere (Artist: Chad Brownlee), Video: Got Your Name On It (Artist: Jade Eagleson), Video: Keep It Simple (Artist: James Barker Band) Video: Long Live The Night (Artist: The Reklaws), Video: Lost (Artist: Hunter Brothers) Video: Never Be The Same (Artist: James Barker Band), Video: Save Some Of That Whiskey (Artist: Jess Moskaluke), Video: The Worst Kind feat. Lindsay Ell (Artist: Tim Hicks);
The next MOJO Innovators podcast is here… this week the editors discuss Kraftwerk!
In the latest episode of the MOJO Innovators Podcast MOJO Editor John Mulvey and Associate Editor Ian Harrison discuss how the machine-age grooves of Kraftwerk propelled music into the future.
Bob Ross Painted 30,000 Paintings — Where Did They All Go?
The artist painted hundreds of landscapes for his television show — so why are they so hard to find?
Watch James From The Paste Studios
James have been churning out alternative rock hits since the 1980s, and if you were around, their songs Sit Down Laid were glorious then, and still heard on alternative rock stations today. They don’t rest on their past, though. James, led by frontman Tim Booth, visited the Paste Studio to perform songs from their 2018 album Living in Extraordinary Times as well as 2014’s La Petite Mort.
Watch Rosalía Make Her Hit ‘Con Altura’
Two Spaniards, a Canadian, a Colombian and a clip from a Dominican TV show helped turn a tribute to reggaeton into one of the hottest international songs of the summer.
35th Anniversary Of Iconic Empowerment Anthem Parachute Club’s “Rise Up” Is Back As A Charity Single And Remix
Warner Music Canada is proud to partner with Lorraine Segato and Slaight Music in celebrating the 35th anniversary of the iconic Parachute Club anthem “Rise Up” by releasing two newly recorded contemporary pop versions of the song. The Anniversary Version and Diesel Remix of “Rise Up” are meant to empower a new generation of youth activists to take a stand and make a difference in the world.
Profits from all streams and downloads of the single go here where 4 non-profit organizations will share in an ongoing campaign to raise awareness via stories, shares, direct donation and pledge contests for the selected organization.
The two new versions of the song feature an inter-generational mix of performers. Original Parachute Club members Julie Masi, David Gray and Lorraine Segato, along with emerging artists Theo Tams, Jimmy Chauveau (Ascot Royals), Jillea, Kayla Diamond, Maya Kiltron and spoken word artist Britta Badour come together under the name “The New Parachute Collective.”
A contemporary country version of the tune was released last Fall. Titled “Rise Up (Redux)” this third version features 17 of Canada’s biggest country artists uniting as “The Common Cause Collective” (3XC).
Of the initiative, Segato says, “The enduring appeal of this song has inspired us to celebrate its legacy with a campaign to engage, celebrate and honour a new generation of social justice activists who are shaping the future. It’s time to pass the baton and elevate the work of the impressive young activists of today. Every transformational moment needs a song to dance to, to celebrate and rally around. In 1983 we made a call for equality and empowerment and our enduring positive message is as relevant today as it was 35 years ago.”
Lorraine Segato, lead singer and co-founder of The Parachute Club first recorded the hit single “Rise Up” in Hamilton’s Grant Avenue Studio 35 years ago with producer Daniel Lanois for the Parachute Club’s debut LP. Segato and Slaight Music have come together in philanthropic partnership to release a charity single of the iconic song that serves to celebrate, encourage and embolden this next generation of activists.
Rise Up Share Your Power is a Canadian initiative that cultivates collaborative artistic activist engagement via music and art.
This initiative partners Slaight Music with Warner Music Canada and includes two distinct 35th Anniversary all-star remakes and re-releases of “Rise Up,” the classic Canadian empowerment anthem. All selected grassroots groups have innovative approaches to their organization and have been vetted for equality and diversity practices.
B.C. Singer/Songwriter Bree Whitworth releases “Don’t Let Me Go” ahead of NEW album Siren Songs
Canadian singer/songwriter Bree Whitworth has released her second single off this summer’s forthcoming EP Siren Songs; described as “atmospheric” and “beautifully written,” “Don’t Let Me Go” is available now.
Self-admittedly “obsessed” with music for as long as she can remember, the classically trained pianist kept her songwriting and singing hidden, imposter syndrome taking the wheel. It was with insistent support and encouragement from family and friends that she connected with producer Matthew Mei to record her debut album in 2008.
An additional album and three singles later, Whitworth took a brief hiatus. It was within this multi-year break she weathered a “devastating breakup,” she shares, and found herself picking up the pen.
“It was the first time I had written new music in almost four years, and it was such a cathartic process for me,” she recalls. “Writing these songs helped me reflect on this relationship, and put my feelings into lyrics that ultimately helped me heal.
“The first songs on the album — “Wasting My Life”, “Good Wife” and this one, “Don’t Let Me Go” — started out with sadness, anger and despair…” she continues. “But as I continued writing the last two songs — “In the End” and “Bliss” — I found my lyrics evolving. I was literally and lyrically letting go and moving on.
“Writing this album allowed me to realize that despite all the pain, I still had hope and I still believe in love.”
The winding narrative found throughout Siren Songs weave a captivating story; paired with Whitworth’s irresistibly alluring vocals and delicately stunning melodies, listeners are in for a journey through love, loss, and everything in between.
“I named the album Siren Songs not because I want to lure sailors to their deaths with an irresistible song…” she winks, “but because love is like a ‘siren song’…
“It’s something alluring but potentially risky. Yet will still go back for more.”
Siren Songs is available this Summer 2019. “Don’t Let Me Go” is available now.