From Pink Floyd to Peter Gabriel, producer Bob Ezrin on the highlights of his career
In a career spanning nearly 50 years, Ezrin has been just as close to the heartbeat of the music as the musicians themselves. He takes CBC’s q through the biggest moments of his unbelievable career.
The stage is set for country stardom! Canadians have selected three finalists for SiriusXM’s Top of the Country
SiriusXM Canada, the country’s leading audio entertainment company, is thrilled to announce the three finalists for the second annual SiriusXM Top of the Country competition, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association. These three artists will duke it out in a live onstage battle to be crowned Canada’s next big country star and win a $25,000 cash prize and an international SOCAN songwriting camp.
The 2019 SiriusXM Top of the Country finalists, selected by Canadians are:
• Matt Lang (Hometown — Maniwaki, QC)
• Kelsi Mayne (Hometown — Windsor, ON)
• Tim & The Glory Boys (Hometown — Winnipeg, MB)
“The talent competing in the first phase of SiriusXM Top of The Country was exceptional, and now the group is down to three,” said Jeff Leake, Director, Music Programming, SiriusXM Canada. “Our finalists now have the opportunity to show off their craft to some very big audiences this summer. We can’t wait to see them perform at the finale during Country Music Week.”
“We have some incredible artists in Top of The Country this season and I’m looking forward to seeing what they accomplish in the finale,” said Tracy Martin, President, CCMA. “We’re looking forward to celebrating their undeniable growth as artists when they take to the stage at Country Music Week. Congratulations and good luck to the three finalists!”
Later this year, the three Top of the Country finalists will participate in a week-long SOCAN songwriting trip to Nashville, perform at a major country music festival and attend an exclusive mentorship session in Toronto with influential people from across the industry.
The grand prize winner will be chosen live at SiriusXM Top of the Country Finale during Country Music Week 2019 in Calgary, AB from September 5-8. Finalists will compete live on stage before a soon-to-be-announced headlining act, airing live on SiriusXM. The winner will receive the $25,000 grand prize, plus an international SOCAN songwriting camp and more.
SiriusXM Top of the Country in partnership with the CCMA is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing commitment to promoting and elevating the best in emerging Canadian music. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach of over 55 million listeners.
To watch the finalist videos, please visit here.
Facebook Canada Launches Local News Accelerator with 11 Participants from Across the Country
Facebook Canada is launching its Local News Accelerator program and bringing together the first cohort of eleven publishers from across the country participating in the program. As announced in February 2019, the initiative represents a $2.5M investment in Canada’s news ecosystem and is part of Facebook’s ongoing global efforts to support journalists, academics and news organizations across the globe to advance journalism and help develop sustainable business models — both off and on Facebook’s platforms.
The first wave of Local News Accelerator participants includes:
- Brunswick News
- Daily Hive
- Winnipeg Free Press
- Glacier Media
- Le Soleil
- London Free Press
- Northern News Services
- The Discourse
- The Tyee
- Vancouver Observer
- Village Media
“Canadians expect relevant, quality news on Facebook and so do we. The Launch of Facebook Local News Accelerator in Canada is one part of our commitment to high-quality, fact-based content across our family of apps,” said Marc Dinsdale, Head of Media Partnerships at Facebook Canada. “We are committed to exploring what we can build together with our partners to support local news, and will continue to invest in local news in Canada.”
Throughout the 12-week program, Facebook is bringing together industry experts and providing tools, resources and training focused on digital audience development, with the goal of helping publishers find new ways to connect with their audiences and creative ways to monetize their businesses. Publishers will design individual projects tackling their unique business needs working with coaches with deep expertise in the digital media business.
The program will culminate in Menlo Park, California where publishers will share their news innovation concepts at Facebook headquarters. Enabling publishers across the country – and beyond – to benefit from the strategies workshopped during the program and will share key learnings and case studies from the first Canadian cohort.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of Facebook’s Local News Accelerator program in Canada and welcome the chance to share insights with our peers from across the country. For more than a decade, Daily Hive has been connecting readers with their city to foster a closer relationship with one another, and we’re constantly working to modernize journalism for the internet,” said Farhan Mohamed, editor-in-chief and partner, Daily Hive. “Having the opportunity to come up with new ways to engage with and develop our audience is something we’re all excited for.”
Grant funding will empower each publisher to implement strategies created during the program. We are partnering with the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) — a non-profit organization that promotes Canadian journalism and journalistic achievement — to administer grants to local news publishers. These grants are designed to help the participating publishers put ideas from the Accelerator into practice.
“From current events to community news and politics, local news publishers provide citizens with the resources and information they need to make critical decisions for themselves and their families,” said Natalie Turvey, president and executive director, CJF. “We are committed to supporting local news innovation, and we’re excited to partner with Facebook and local news publishers to bring this program to life in Canada.”
Broadening their efforts to support news innovation, Facebook is also investing in programs that help publishers develop sustainable business models, both off and on of Facebook, so they can continue to do work that’s critical to a healthy democratic society. The Local News Accelerator program complements ongoing efforts in Canada such as supporting our news partners with seed funding to experiment with video, and training opportunities for journalists across the country.
Baby Owl Comes A-Running When Owner Calls Him
It’s like a dog…with WINGS!
Chilliwack gets Fly At Night and My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone) certified Gold and Platinum in Canada
For the first time ever digitally, the five Chilliwack albums that predated their deal with Vancouver’s Mushrooms Records and Toronto’s Solid Gold Records are being made available now on all services through an agreement with Linus-owned distributor IDLA and Bill Henderson’s Some Sung Songs.
To celebrate the release of these albums, Linus certified Chilliwack’s two biggest hits based on digital downloads and streaming equivalents – Gold Single (40,000 digital units) for Fly At Night, and Platinum Single (over 80,000 digital and physical units) for My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone) when combined with its previous Gold certification from 1982.
Linus also controls master rights to the rest of Chilliwack’s catalog from the Mushroom and Solid Gold years, including hits My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone) and Fly At Night.
The five albums, which showcase Chilliwack’s original jamband sound, span the years 1970-1975 and include early versions of later radio-edited singles like Lonesome Mary and Crazy Talk.
Online Slots for Music Lovers
Music is soul food. It’s a transformational medium and a powerful emotive force. The right notes can easily stir you to action, ramp up the excitement, and add layers of fun to your daily activities. Indeed, many experiences are left sorely wanting without the right musical melodies. The world’s premier adult entertainment playground, Las Vegas is a hive of activity with bright lights, jingling-jangling jackpots, and the latest tunes. Nothing ramps up the action more than online slots. These interactive attractions are laced with feature-rich audio-visuals, spectacular gameplay, and crystal-clear melodies.
As a slots fan with a penchant for music, you most certainly won’t be disappointed with the spectacular titles that are readily available. In no time at all, you’ll be moving and grooving to the beat of rhythm and blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and jazzy tunes. The world’s premier slots providers are continually fine-tuning their attractions to incorporate the best musical elements into their games. As a music lover, you’ll enjoy a wide range of options available to you. Consider the fabulous appeal of Asian-themed slots and its incredibly unique melodies, or the shrill sounds of horror slots games and their creepy high notes.
Get Ready to Jam Out with Top Slots Games
The world’s premier slots providers burn the candle at both ends crafting interactive games with fabulous musical beats. Some of the most wildly entertaining slots games are truly dedicated to music lovers. Consider the likes of DJ Wild by ELK Studios, or Megadeth by Leander Games. Other fine musical slot games such as the legendary Jimi Hendrix and Guns N’ Roses by NetEnt are hugely popular among players. What makes these games incredibly appealing is their interactive appeal with engaging soundtracks and immersive features. The music makes these slots come alive and music lovers will be rocking out as they’re spinning the reels and hustling with free spins, and in-game bonus features.
Many slot game providers have turned to music to increase brand awareness. Top titles such as mega, Guns ‘N Roses, Kiss, and Elvis the King are perfect exponents of music-themed online video slots games. There’s lots of competition among software providers to belt out these types of video slots games. In recent years, there has been a shift from generic music in slots to world-famous bands and musical prodigies. Musical tastes and preferences differ from one person to the next, but most everyone can identify with the familiar bands and rock stars.
One game which routinely rises above the competition is Guns N’ Roses. It features classic hits like November Rain, and Paradise City. All the popular rockers in Axl Rose, Duff McKagan and Slash are out in full force with a commanding presence on screen. Kiss is yet another band with stellar status. Whether the current rock group stays together after the ‘End of the Road World Tour’ is anybody’s guess, but the legendary rock stars certainly make a big splash in their WMS Kiss slot game. This popular title features 5 spinning reels and 12 rows of rock and roll. There are 8-high stacks of symbols featured on the colossal reels.
The King of Rock and Roll
Elvis Presley is regarded as royalty in the musical world. His name and his legacy are known to billions of fans and his death only elevated his fame to epic proportions. Luckily, the Elvis Presley brand extends far and wide and is also showcased with many software providers including IGT and its iconic Elvis slot machine games. Some of his most popular hits include Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, All Shook Up and Don’t Be Cruel. With so many great bonus features in the Elvis series of slots, it’s no wonder than music lovers are having the time of their lives.
Royal Canadian Mint Silver Coin Celebrates 50th Anniversary of John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band’s “Give Peace a Chance”
In 1969, Plastic Ono Band – John Lennon and Yoko Ono – recorded Give Peace A Chance, an anti-war anthem for generations of pacifists and music fans around the world. The song was recorded live from Lennon and Ono’s Queen Elizabeth Hotel suite in downtown Montreal, where John and Yoko were holding their famous “Bed-in for Peace” protest. Fifty years later, the Mint has captured that special moment in Canadian and music history with a pure silver coin celebrating Lennon and Ono’s artistic talent and social activism, in a deal brokered by Epic Rights, the global licensing agent for John Lennon.
“For generations of Canadians, the music and lyrics of John Lennon and Yoko Ono have been a source of pleasure and inspiration,” said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “We are delighted to have crafted a coin celebrating Canada’s special connection to John and Yoko, and their lasting message of peace.”
“For the 50th anniversary of the Bed-in for Peace, we are honoured that the Royal Canadian Mint is paying tribute to a marking moment in our hotel and our city’s history by issuing a commemorative coin,” mentions David Connor, Regional Vice-President and General Manager, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. “We hope that it will help promote greater awareness about John and Yoko’s message of peace which still has strong resonance and importance today.”
The reverse design of this 99.99% pure silver coin features a rendering of Ivor Sharp’s famous black and white photograph of John and Yoko at their “Bed-In for Peace,” held in Montreal in the late spring of 1969. Dressed in pyjamas and both holding roses, they sit on a bed, with handmade peace posters hanging behind them. The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Limited to a world-wide mintage of 9,999 the coin retails for $99.99 CAD. Full background information on this coin can be found on the “Shop” tab here.
This product can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Mint’s web site. The coin is also available at the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.
Lady Gaga to Perform at the Apollo for SiriusXM and Pandora
SiriusXM announced today that 9-time Grammy Award winner and Academy Award winner Lady Gaga will perform at Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theater for a special invitation-only concert for SiriusXM subscribers and Pandora listeners on Monday, June 24. The special performance will celebrate SiriusXM and Pandora coming together as one company. Howard Stern made the announcement today during the live broadcast of The Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM.
The exclusive SiriusXM concert marks the first time that Lady Gaga will perform at the iconic venue and her first concert in New York City in almost two years. Fresh off the latest run of her Las Vegas residency, Enigma, at the Park Theater, Park MGM, Lady Gaga’s concert at the Apollo will feature Lady Gaga performing her worldwide hits.
The special performance will air in its entirety on SiriusXM Hits 1, Howard Stern’s Howard 101 channel, as well as Pandora NOW, the SiriusXM channel that harnesses the power of Pandora’s extensive listener data and SiriusXM’s curatorial expertise. Select highlights from the concert will also be available to Pandora listeners via user-generated playlists and curated stations.
“Performing at The Apollo has always been a dream of mine. Thank you to SiriusXM and Pandora for inviting me. I’m excited for my fans to see a special show at this iconic venue” said Lady Gaga.
“After getting her start in New York City, Lady Gaga went on to conquer the world with her talent. We are thrilled to have Lady Gaga perform this exclusive show at the world famous Apollo Theater in her hometown as we celebrate SiriusXM and Pandora as one company,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer of SiriusXM. “SiriusXM subscribers and Pandora listeners will get the opportunity to be part of this once in a lifetime musical experience and we can’t wait.”
Lady Gaga’s Apollo Theater performance for SiriusXM coincides with World Pride Month which this year is being celebrated in New York City.
The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.
SiriusXM has presented special, private concerts at the Apollo Theater with Paul McCartney in 2010, Bruce Springsteen in 2012, Metallica in 2013, Pitbull in 2015, Guns N’ Roses in 2017 and U2 in 2018.
Subscribers will have the opportunity to win tickets to this private SiriusXM performance through an invitation sent by e-mail to qualified subscribers who have consented to e-mail marketing from SiriusXM and who have registered their music interests with us at siriusxm.com/perks. Additionally, subscribers since May 5, 2019 will be able to enter for the chance to win a trip for two to New York, NY including airfare, hotel stay, and a pair of tickets to SiriusXM Presents Lady Gaga at The Apollo Theater. See Official Rules for complete details at siriusxm.com/Gaga.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is set to tell the story of trailblazing artist Kacey Musgraves
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is set to tell the story of trailblazing artist Kacey Musgraves in the exhibition Kacey Musgraves: All of the Colors. The exhibit opens July 2, 2019, and runs through June 7, 2020.
Musgraves is an award-winning singer–songwriter who draws inspiration from diverse influences, embraces new audiences and willingly tackles what some see as taboo subject matter. This, coupled with her love of witty wordplay, has endeared her to like-minded and innovative artists including her heroes Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson and John Prine.
“Kacey Musgraves is progressive, yet has a sound rooted in tradition. She writes songs that have messages not necessarily heard before in this genre. She is winning accolades and bringing country music to new audiences, breaking barriers and doing this all on her own terms,” said Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “We are excited to share the remarkable musical journey of this young country music star—from her beginnings as a yodeling cowgirl to her present status as one of the biggest names in music today.”
Born Aug. 21, 1988, Musgraves was raised in Golden, Texas, surrounded by creativity. She began her musical career at an early age, learning to yodel at the age of eight and to play guitar and mandolin in her early tween years. Throughout the late 1990s, the family would drive to the Fort Worth Stockyards, where Musgraves and her younger sister, Kelly, sang and danced as members of the Cowtown Opry Buckaroos. While her sister tired of performing, Musgraves thrived on it, appearing at community events and winning contests and awards.
In 1999, she and another child performer, Alina Tatum, formed the Texas Two Bits, a duo that sang and yodeled in harmony. Following a performance with Asleep at the Wheel at President George W. Bush’s 2001 “Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball,” the duo decided to embark on separate careers. Musgraves went on to release two independent solo albums Movin’ On (2001) and Wanted: One Good Cowboy (2002). In 2007, she competed on Nashville Star, finishing seventh. Following her run on the show, she moved to Austin, Texas, and released her third independent solo album, which featured 10 original songs – including material written with Miranda Lambert.
Musgraves wrote her first song, “Notice Me,” at the age of nine and has continued to develop her talent for original composition. After moving to Nashville, Tenn., in November 2008, she signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell. During this time, she collaborated with songwriters Brandy Clark, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. She penned, with Clark and McAnally, “Mama’s Broken Heart,” a #2 hit for Miranda Lambert.
Musgraves released her first major-label studio album, Same Trailer Different Park, in 2013. The album, co-produced with Laird and McAnally, debuted at the top of Billboard‘s country albums chart and established Musgraves as one of country music’s brightest and unwilling-to-compromise stars. Some radio and record executives thought her first single, “Merry Go ‘Round,” was too depressing and would be a risky debut. Musgraves fought for its release, and the song won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2014. The same year, another brave and honest original, “Follow Your Arrow,” a rallying cry for inclusiveness, was CMA Song of the Year.
The critically acclaimed Pageant Material followed in 2015, debuting at #1 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart, but the album’s singles were not major radio hits. Her next album, 2018’s Golden Hour, incorporated more of Musgraves’ eclectic influences as well as pedal steel, banjo and vocoder to create a genre-bending sound Musgraves called “galactic country.” On Nov. 14, 2018, 10 years to the day after Musgraves moved to Nashville, Golden Hour won Album of the Year at the CMA Awards. The momentum behind Golden Hour and Musgraves continues to grow. In February of this year, she won four Grammys: Album of the Year (in the highly competitive general category), Best Country Album, Best Country Song (“Space Cowboy”) and Best Country Solo Performance (“Butterflies”).
“I absolutely adore the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum,” said Musgraves, “and it’s a privilege to have them curate an exhibit that will showcase pieces from moments all the way back to my childhood that are very special to me.”
Items featured in Kacey Musgraves: All of the Colors include stage wear, handwritten lyrics and personal artifacts. Some highlights:
- Tip jar used by Musgraves and Tatum when they performed as yodeling duo Texas Two Bits
- Detention notice received for “continuous classroom disruption” during high school
- Manuscript for “Fallin’,” a song written by Musgraves with Miranda Lambert
- Manuscript for “Slow Burn,” written by Musgraves and the co-producers of her album Golden Hour, Daniel Tashianand Ian Fitchuk
- Satin dress embellished with sequins, beads, rhinestones and tasseled fringe, designed by Enrique Urbina. Musgraves wore the dress at the 2014 Grammy Awards
- Western-inspired black Atelier Versace pantsuit ensemble with gold-beaded fringe worn by Musgraves at the 2018 CMA Awards
In support of the exhibition’s opening, Musgraves will participate in a conversation in the museum’s CMA Theater on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., sharing personal stories and memories associated with the artifacts included in Kacey Musgraves: All of the Colors. Tickets will be available Wednesday, May 29, 2019.