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Ashley McBryde Announces 35+ Date ‘This Town Talks’ Theater Tour For 2021-2022

Eric Alper
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Ashley McBryde Announces 35+ Date ‘This Town Talks’ Theater Tour For 2021-2022

NPR celebrates Ashley McBryde as an artist that “has found an audience by relentlessly touring, being so relatable to country fans of all kinds…she sings these songs that are classic, but they’re also rock ‘n’ roll…and they touch the heart of the heartland,” while Pollstar declares the four-time GRAMMY nominee “did it the old-fashioned way: grinding out dates, writing songs about women being counted out for not fitting the mold.”

Now, the ACM and CMA Award winner readies her joyous return to the road and her self-made fanbase with the announcement of her This Town Talks Tour, kicking off June 12 in Roanoke, Va. before heading out to an additional 36 cities across the U.S. into 2022, wrapping on Jan.15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio with the support of Morgan Wade, Priscilla Block, Adam Hambrick and Ray Fulcher.

“AAAAAND we’re back,” exclaims McBryde. “I’ve been waiting so long to be able to say that. We’ve missed you all so much, there aren’t even words to do it justice. These songs were written and recorded to be sang together. Now, let’s be together and make some damn music!”

After releasing her critically acclaimed sophomore album Never Will in April of last year, to say McBryde and Deadhorse (her band) are eager is an understatement. “There’s a hunger, an angst and a real calling that we’ve all been feeling.”

It will be the first time Never Will, the only album to be nominated by the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association and The Recording Academy (same cycle) has been performed live since its release. Fans can expect McBryde’s set-list to include the RIAA Gold-Certified “One Night Standards,” current single “Martha Divine,” which NPR shares is her “rowdiest jam to date” and that “when she plays it live, this thing will shake ceilings,” and title track “Never Will” among the hard-hitting “American Scandal” and seminal track “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” from her groundbreaking debut album.

Pre-sale tickets for McBryde’s fan-club The Trybe begins tomorrow, Tuesday May 18, at 10 a.m. local time, while the Spotify pre-sale will begin Wednesday, May 19 at 12 p.m. local time. General on sale will begin Friday, May 21 at 10 a.m. local time. For tickets and additional information, visit AshleyMcBryde.com.

The Arkansas-native is also prepping for her first headlining shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium, with back-to-back nights at the Mother Church of Country Music supported by Lainey Wilson on Thursday, Aug. 26 and Caylee Hammack on Friday, Aug. 27.

“There’s so much ground to cover musically, a little rust to kick-off and a whole lot of love ahead,” McBryde concludes.

Voted by a consortium of leading national music critics, Never Will received the title of Best Album from Nashville Scene’s 21st Annual Country Music Critics’ Poll, and also earned a spot in the top 20 of Rolling Stone’s all-genre “Best Albums of 2020” dubbing, the record as “this year’s most adventurous mainstream country album” while landing at No. 1 on Rolling Stone’s “Best Country and Americana Albums of 2020,” proclaiming it “re-creates the trick McBryde pulled off on her stellar debut: proving that honest-to-goodness country songs can have commercial appeal.”

Earlier this year, McBryde announced the Never Will: Live From A Distance EP, with live versions of “First Thing I Reach For,” “Martha Divine,” “Shut Up Sheila” and “Voodoo Doll” available now, and the full release to be delivered on May 28.

Ashley McBryde cut her teeth playing country songs in rural biker bars – and it shows. Her 2018 major label debut Girl Going Nowhere (Warner Music Nashville) charmed the New York Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, Paste, The Washington Post, and more, all en route to landing a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album. McBryde closed out 2019 with ACM New Female Artist, CMT Breakout Artist of the Year, a New Artist of the Year win at the 53rd Annual CMA Awards and two nominations for the 2020 GRAMMYs for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.” Her follow-up Never Will, released April 3, was tagged by Rolling Stone as one of the most anticipated of the year alongside NPR, who also ranked her lead Top 10 RIAA Gold-Certified single “One Night Standards” as one of the best songs of 2019. Produced once again by Jay Joyce, Never Will reveals the witty, confessional, detail-driven songwriting addressing a wide spectrum of blue-collar Southern women’s experience introduced on Girl Going Nowhere is still here, but perhaps even sharper, earning McBryde a 2021 GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album, making Never Will the only album nominated for Country Album of the Year by the ACMs, CMAs and the Recording Academy in the same award season. The music itself is stadium-ready rock-and-roll with a bluegrass wink or two and country music’s storytelling heart––and McBryde, no longer new, is the music’s ordained and highly capable standard bearer. McBryde’s This Town Talks Tour kicks off June 12, 2021, followed by an additional 36 dates before wrapping on Jan. 15, 2022. For more information, visit AshleyMcBryde.com or follow her at Facebook.com/AshleyMcBryde, Instagram @AshleyMcBryde and Twitter at @AshleyMcBryde.

This Town Talks Tour

*Morgan Wade as support | ^Adam Hambrick as support | +Priscilla Block as support |

~Ray Fulcher as support | #Support to be announced

June 12, 2021              Dr. Pepper Park at the Bridges                       Roanoke, Va.*

July 16, 2021              Gold Nugget Grand Event Center                  Lake Charles, La.

July 17, 2021              Floore’s Country Store                                   Helotes, Texas#

July 18, 2021              Nutty Brown Café & Amphitheatre               Austin, Texas#

July 28, 2021              Bourbon Theatre                                             Lincoln, Neb.^

Aug. 5, 2021               Cain’s Ballroom                                             Tulsa, Okla.*

Aug. 6, 2021               Orpheum Theatre                                            Memphis, Tenn.*

Aug. 7, 2021               Robinson Performance Hall                           Little Rock, Ark.*

Aug. 17, 2021             Irving Plaza                                                     New York, N.Y.+

Aug. 19, 2021             Theatre of Living Arts                                    Philadelphia, Pa.+

Aug. 20, 2021             House of Blues                                               Boston, Mass.+

Aug. 21, 2021             The Fillmore Silver Spring                             Silver Spring, Md.+

Aug. 26, 2021             Ryman Auditorium                                         Nashville, Tenn.

Aug. 27, 2021             Ryman Auditorium                                         Nashville, Tenn.

Sept. 2, 2021               The Pageant                                                    St. Louis, Mo.+

Sept. 3, 2021               Bogart’s                                                          Cincinnati, Ohio+

Sept. 16, 2021             The Sylvee                                                      Madison, Wis.^

Sept. 22, 2021             The Wilma                                                      Missoula, Mont.~

Sept. 23, 2021             Martin Woldson Theatre at the Fox               Spokane, Wash.~

Sept. 25, 2021             Showbox                                                         Seattle, Wash.~

Sept. 26, 2021             Roseland Theater                                            Portland, Ore.~

Sept. 29, 2021             Ace of Spades                                                 Sacramento, Calif.~

Oct. 3, 2021                House of Blues                                               San Diego, Calif.+

Oct. 5, 2021                The Wiltern                                                     Los Angeles, Calif.+

Oct. 13, 2021              Ogden Theatre                                                Denver, Colo.~

Nov. 12, 2021             The Eastern                                                     Atlanta, Ga.+

Nov. 13, 2021             Tivoli Theatre                                                 Chattanooga, Tenn.+

Nov. 14, 2021             The Fillmore Charlotte                                   Charlotte, N.C.+

Dec. 8, 2021                Riviera Theater                                               Chicago, Ill.+

Dec. 11, 2021  `           Mississippi Moon Bar                                    Dubuque, Iowa+

Dec. 12, 2021              Egyptian Room at Old National Centre         Indianapolis, Ind.+

Jan. 6, 2022                 Brown Theatre                                                Louisville, Ky.+

Jan. 7, 2022                 Roxian Theatre                                               Pittsburgh, Pa.+

Jan. 8, 2022                 The National                                                   Richmond, Va.+

Jan. 13, 2022               20 Monroe Live                                              Grand Rapids, Mich.*

Jan. 14, 2022               The Fillmore                                                   Detroit, Mich.*

Jan. 15, 2022               Agora Theater                                                 Cleveland, Ohio#

Sonic Reducers: Morrissey is selling his latest album to the highest bidder

Eric Alper
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Sonic Reducers: Morrissey is selling his latest album to the highest bidder

Sonic Reducers: 5 minutes. 2 music geeks. 1 big story.
Join us as we discuss Morrissey’s new album, and if artists should sell their music to the highest bidder.

New CBC Podcast, hosted by Kaniehti:io Horn – “Telling Our Twisted Histories” Launches May 31

Eric Alper
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New CBC Podcast, hosted by Kaniehti:io Horn – “Telling Our Twisted Histories” Launches May 31

CBC today announced the launch of TELLING OUR TWISTED HISTORIES, an 11-episode podcast series that reclaims Indigenous history by exploring 11 words whose meanings have been twisted by centuries of colonization.

Host Kaniehti:io Horn (Letterkenny, The Man in the High Castle) guides listeners through conversations with more than 70 people from 15 Indigenous communities whose lands now make up Quebec, New Brunswick and Labrador.

“Savage. Reserve. Indian Time. Words connect us, but also have the power to wound, erase and replace us,” says Kaniehti:io Horn, host of TELLING OUR TWISTED HISTORIES.  “As Indigenous people, we are used to our stories getting a little twisted. This podcast is all about exploring some of these words, with humour and truth, so that we all better understand how they impact us to this day.”

The first two episodes of TELLING OUR TWISTED HISTORIES – “Discovery” and “Reserve”- are available now on CBC Listen and everywhere podcasts are available. New episodes will be released weekly on Mondays until August 2, 2021. Listen for free on CBC Listen, available as a free app for iOS and Android devices and online at cbc.ca/listen.

TELLING OUR TWISTED HISTORIES is a CBC co-production in association with Terre Innue, based on an original concept by Karine Lanoie-Brien and produced by Francine Allaire and Élodie Pollet. An award-winning French-version of this podcast, Laissez-nous raconter : L’histoire crochie, was released by Radio-Canada in June 2020.

Veteran Canadian Classic Rocker HOWARD LEE NAYLOR Reflects on Easier Times with “Those Summer Days”

Eric Alper
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Veteran Canadian Classic Rocker HOWARD LEE NAYLOR Reflects on Easier Times with “Those Summer Days”

It’s been a mere half a year since Penticton, BC-based singer/songwriter Howard Lee Naylor released his sophomore album x COVID-19 passion project, Songs from Isolation, and he’s already back in the recording studio with his newly reimagined release of “Those Summer Days.”

Calling back to a simpler, more enjoyable time, the summer, when family, friends, and lovers are able to congregate under the sun together — whether by the pool, beach, or over a nice dinner with a few beverages in hand.

The Penticton-based classic rock musician remastered the long-time fan-favourite to brilliant results; it’s seasonal sonic ecstasy is set to soothe the soul, and ears, of music-lovers nationwide during these continued trying times.

Initially written for his 2017 album, Possibilities, Naylor intended “Those Summer Days” to serve as an homage to the comforting and reminiscent sounds of The Beach Boys — which he did a remarkable job in achieving. The tireless entertainer even references them in the bridge of the song: “Take me back to a Beach Boys song / Wendy, nothing went that wrong,” he sings.

So why remaster it, some might ask? Well, as a perfectionist, Naylor believed the foot-tapper needed a new and enhanced mix — one that had a little more “depth” and carried a “rich” bass tone, to vividly convey his inspiration. What remains steadfast in both versions are Naylor’s smooth vocal harmonies and clean, yet rapid-fire guitar melodies that’ll take you right back to the sunshiney glory of the 1960s.

Though he himself hasn’t been able to enjoy the sun as much as he had hoped to in the last year and a half, Howard Lee Naylor has spent the better portion of the global pandemic in the studio, working on not just this crisp remaster of “Those Summer Days,” but his second album too.

It wasn’t long after the social distancing restrictions were first put in place that Naylor reached out to his producer, Ian Lopez, in hopes to record the new tracks. “The stay at home order got really boring, but thank God I make music,” he smiles.

Rather than record just one single, Lopez suggested Naylor do an entirely new album — which eventually became Songs from Isolation. Happy with the result of the ten-track project, Naylor admitted he was proud of the results, describing his new originals — which includes ‘Sweet Jeanine’ — as “songs from the heart and isolation.”

“Those Summer Days” and Songs from Isolation are available now.

Producer TAABU & Singer/Songwriter OMEGA MIGHTY Serve a Bubblegum-Sweet Treat in “Ooey Gooey”

Eric Alper
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Producer TAABU & Singer/Songwriter OMEGA MIGHTY Serve a Bubblegum-Sweet Treat in “Ooey Gooey”

Just in time for sizzling summer vibes, Toronto producer Taabu and singer/songwriter Omega Mighty serve up a bubblegum-sweet EDM-pop treat in the form of new single, “Ooey Gooey” — available now.

The infectiously feel-good track boasts enough layers of audio goodness to adhere to nearly every sweet tooth’s musical desires; from the Drake-reminiscent drum and bass beats, to the magically ethereal synth melodies oscillating throughout, this soon-to-be smasher is nothing short of a dreamy delicacy.

Their third collaboration — including “Wishy Washy,” and featured on Haviah Mighty’s 2019 Polaris Music Prize winning release, 13th Floor — Taabu (Spencer Heaslip) created the track’s firm-footed foundation first, before sending it over to Omega Mighty for lyrics.

“The inspiration for the lyrics came to me when thinking about my relationship with my hubby,” Omega Mighty muses of her inspiration. “He always reminds me just how special I am.

“The lyrics reference a reciprocal love,” she adds, likening love to being “delicious” — like melted ice cream on a hot fudge brownie, the very definition of “Ooey Gooey.”

This metaphor blended well with Taabu’s own, most notably considering his mantra of approaching music production like he’s “in the kitchen, cooking,” he says.

“The lyrics spoke to me immediately,” he continues. “It’s also an analogy for the polar ebbs and flows of perfecting one’s craft… When the recipe’s just right, especially after hours of hard work and dedication, that gratification tastes so good.”

“Ooey Gooey” comes from Taabu’s forthcoming debut album, Bellows — set for release this year — and also serves as the release’s premiere single. The track is of special significance to Taabu because “it solidifies the constant magic and synergy Omega and I have in a creative environment,” he shares. “We are both versatile, adaptable, diverse, and open minded when it comes to genre blending — and this approach has worked time and time again.”

While Bellows may be Taabu’s official debut release, the multi-talented producer holds credits working with some of the biggest names in the game, including work on tracks with JUNO and Polaris Prize-nominated Snotty Nose Rez Kids, The Sorority, TWNRVA, Yviona, Valdii, Lex Leosis, Marcio Novelli, Raz, and more.

“Ooey Gooey (feat. Omega Mighty)” is available now.

The Weeknd Keeps Winning, Hitting a SOCAN Awards Record

Eric Alper
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The Weeknd Keeps Winning, Hitting a SOCAN Awards Record

Global superstar and SOCAN member The Weeknd has achieved yet another milestone by gaining five SOCAN Awards for his accomplishments in 2020, matching fellow SOCAN member Shawn Mendes as the most-awarded SOCAN member in a single year.

After dominating the Billboard Music Awards, The Weeknd adds the coveted SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award, the SOCAN International Song Award for the smash hit “Blinding Lights,” two SOCAN Pop Music Awards and a SOCAN R&B Music Award.

Honouring Canada’s most successful songwriters, composers and music publishers, the 32nd annual SOCAN Awards are being held online for the second year.

Follow @socanmusic on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (#SOCANawards) and go to socanawards.com to join in the celebration of more than 50 award winners announced today and special performance by JJ Wilde of Eddie Schwartz’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” Special virtual presentations will include SOCAN members Drake, Lido Pimienta, Shawn Mendes, OZ, Tenille Arts and many more music creators and publishers who exemplify the incredible domestic and international success of Canadian music creation.

SOCAN Special Achievement Awards:

  • The Weeknd. The Weeknd is honoured for the second time with the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year – Performer Award. In addition to this most prestigious prize, he also takes home the SOCAN International Song Award, two SOCAN Pop Music Awards for the international hits “Blinding Lights” and “Heartless,” and a SOCAN R&B Award for “In Your Eyes.”
  • Eddie Schwartz. His impact as a songwriter on the international music scene is undeniable, and his truly iconic song, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” holds a special place in music history. An anthem of empowerment and resilience, not only was the song Schwartz’s earliest hit as a songwriter for another artist, but it would see singer Pat Benatar achieve her first Billboard top 10 single. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and Eddie Schwartz will be honoured with the SOCAN Cultural Impact Award.
  • SOCAN Guardian Award. The most significant act of government prioritizing Canadian music, the Broadcasting Act, made sure that the work of Canadian music creators was properly promoted for the prosperity of Canadian culture. The SOCAN Guardian Award honours the 24 industry and government leaders who championed Canadian content legislation, ensuring Canadian art and storytelling could be discovered and thrive. Their contributions of a half-century ago inspire us as we look to the future and how we will continue to nurture Canada’s music creators in the digital era.
  • Keith Power. For his incredible music contributions to such television productions as Heartland, and Hawaii Five-0, Keith Power is celebrated for a fourth time with the SOCAN Screen Composer of the Year Award, the SOCAN Domestic Television Music Award – Fiction Programming and the SOCAN International Television Series Music Award.
  • Frank Dukes. Dukes continues to dominate the world of production, receiving his fourth consecutive SOCAN Songwriter of The Year – Producer Award. Producing for many of the biggest names in music, including the global chart-toppers “My Oh My” by Camila Cabello feat. DaBaby, and “Monster” by Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber.
  • Tate McRae. In 2020 Tate McRae’s single “You Broke Me First” became one of the biggest international hits of the year. This followed amassing tens of millions of streams on her debut single “Tear Myself Apart,” co-penned with Billie Eilish and Finneas, and being added as the youngest musician to the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Tate McRae is being honoured with the SOCAN Breakout Songwriter Award and a SOCAN Pop Music Award.
  • peermusic Canada Inc. For their investment in music creation and commitment to the long-term success of music creators in 2020, peermusic receives the SOCAN Publisher of the Year Award.
  • The SOCAN Licensed To Play Award goes to Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canada’s preeminent classical music organization, for providing much-needed online concerts while continuing to recognize the value of music and importance of music rights by adhering to legal and ethical music licensing.

“In a difficult year, the incredible work of Canada’s music creators and publishers has never been more important and meaningful,” said SOCAN interim CEO Jennifer Brown. “2020 reminded us of the deep connection we have with music and the huge role it plays in our mental and emotional health. We will continue to advocate for a country in which music creation is fairly valued and rewarded.”

Music fans can support music creators by donating to the official charitable partners of the SOCAN Awards, the Unison Benevolent Fund and the SOCAN Foundation, organizations that work to assist deserving musicians, music creators and music publishers in their lives and careers.

SOCAN Achievement Award winners are determined collaboratively between the SOCAN Board of Directors’ Membership Committee and the leaders of SOCAN’s Membership department. They receive “The SOCAN” – the world’s first and only music industry trophy that is also a musical instrument, incorporating five custom bronze crotales created by world-class percussion instrument maker SABIAN of New Brunswick.

The annual Gala de la SOCAN, which celebrates and honours the work of SOCAN’s Francophone members, will be held in a similar event later this year.

A complete list of winners can be found at 2021 SOCAN Awards.

Allman Brothers Band, Owsley Stanley Foundation To Re-issue Complete 1970 Fillmore East Show

Eric Alper
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Allman Brothers Band, Owsley Stanley Foundation To Re-issue Complete 1970 Fillmore East Show

The ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND in 1970 was on the brink of superstardom. They had only been together for 11 months when promoter Bill Graham, who had booked them in San Francisco and New York, invited them back to the Fillmore East on a triple bill with Grateful Dead and Love. And fortunately for us, the Dead’s soundman Owsley “Bear” Stanley had his tapes rolling. Now, the seven-song original compilation is being re-issued with two extra CDs containing all the mastered but unedited source material. Previously only available directly from the Owsley Stanley Foundation, this deluxe version lets you listen to the band rock on until Bear ran out of tape, and will be available on all platforms on June 18 (Orchard Distribution).

Titled Bear’s Sonic Journals: Allman Brothers Band Fillmore East February 1970 Deluxe Edition, the sonically restored and mastered recordings of the Allman Brothers Band’s performances at New York City’s Fillmore East on February 11, 13 & 14, 1970 were captured by Bear, who is known for the purity of his “Sonic Journal” recordings. The performances feature the three earliest known live concert recordings of Dickey Betts’ monstrous instrumental number “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.”

This release was freshly transferred and mastered from the original tapes in Owsley Stanley’s archives, and includes sonic restoration, new album art and liner notes, including a series of rare band photos from the Fillmore East in February 1970, original cover artwork (“Electric Mushroom”), and notes from the Allman Brothers Band and the Owsley Stanley Foundation.

Although the Allman Brothers Band in early 1970 had but one studio album under their belt, word of mouth about their incendiary and improvisational marathon live shows had begun to spread. In his liner notes, John Lynskey, ABB authority and Chief Archivist of the Big House Museum, aptly describes the Allman Brothers Band’s music as a “wicked blend of rock, jazz and R&B that created a dynamic, groundbreaking sound.”

Presented by the Owsley Stanley Foundation and the band—DUANE ALLMAN, GREGG ALLMAN, DICKEY BETTS, BERRY OAKLEY, JAIMOE aka J. JOHANNY JOHNSON and BUTCH TRUCKS–Bear’s Sonic Journals captures the nascent group on the rise; they would return to the Fillmore just a year later to record At Fillmore East, which continues to be included in conversations about the best live rock albums ever.

Bear’s Sonic Journals: Allman Brothers Band Fillmore East February 1970 track list:

Disc 1
1) In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (Feb. 14) 9:22
2) Hoochie Coochie Man (Feb. 14) 6:05
3) Statesboro Blues (Feb. 11) 4:17
4) Trouble No More (Feb. 11) 4:11
5) Outskirts Of Town (Feb. 13 & 14) 8:30
6) Whipping Post (Feb. 14) 8:11
7) Mountain Jam (Feb. 13 & 14) 30:46

Disc 2
February 11, 1970
1) In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed 11:58
2) Statesboro Blues 4:17
3) Trouble No More 4:42
4) Hoochie Coochie Man 4:35
5) Mountain Jam 18:49 (reel-change gap)

February 13, 1970
1) In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed 7:50
2) Outskirts Of Town 7:48 (end cut)
3) Mountain Jam 18:29 (start cut)

Disc 3
February 14, 1970
1) In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed 9:26
2) Hoochie Coochie Man 5:08
3) Outskirts Of Town 7:57 (reel-change gap)
4) Whipping Post 8:11
5) Mountain Jam 35:01 (reel-change gap)

“Black Velvet” Joins The Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Eric Alper
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“Black Velvet” Joins The Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame

The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) is pleased to announce the newest song induction honouring the powerful blues-rock ballad, Black Velvet, that catapulted Alannah Myles to the top echelon of popularity and music success. Black Velvet was written specifically for Myles by songwriters, David Tyson and Christopher Ward who will be presented with the song induction by the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday June 10th on Global’s The Morning Show.

“Having Black Velvet inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame is an incredible honour and a testament to the power of a song. I continue to be amazed at how many lives it has touched,” says co-songwriter Christopher Ward.

“We’re thrilled that Damhnait and Serena are lending their incredible talents to join Christopher in paying tribute to an incredible hit that has transcended time and genre,” said Vanessa Thomas, CSHF Executive Director. “Black Velvet is an example of song writing at its very best and Alannah’s sultry vocals took Christopher and David’s Memphis-inspired song to the next level, where one can actually feel the heat.”

Written with Myles in mind, the idea for Black Velvet was sparked by a trip to Memphis a few years prior, for the 10thanniversary of Elvis’s death. Ward, a renowned MuchMusic VJ at the time, was on a music assignment with a group of Elvis fans and was inspired to write a song that evoked the passion he witnessed.

Once home, Tyson and Ward began working on Myles’ debut album. As Ward recalls during the song writing process, “For me, every song has a key line that unlocks the rest of it. With Black Velvet, it was ‘a new religion that’ll bring you to your knees.’ That new religion was rock n’ roll.”

Myles put her stamp on the song with her distinctive raw and gritty vocals that were powerful, yet at times soft and playful. Released in July 1989, Black Velvet quickly skyrocketed on the charts reaching No. 1 on the Cashbox chart, Billboard’s Hot 100, then mainstream rock charts by early 1990. The album sold 1.2 million copies in Canada, making Alannah Myles the first female artist to achieve Diamond status in Canada. The song swept the 1990 JUNO Awards, garnering Tyson and Ward the Composer of the Year Award. Myles’s recording won the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, topping heavyweight nominees including Janet Jackson and Tina Turner.

Black Velvet was declared a SOCAN Classic in 2004 and became a blockbuster megahit — one of the most-requested songs on radio — and since, widely covered by the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Melissa Etheridge, Cali Tucker, JUNO winner Meghan Patrick and others. It continues to reach new audiences today, with more than 150 million streams on Spotify.

More than 30 years after its release, Ward has recorded his own soulful version of Black Velvet in a new, self-penned and deeply introspective album, Same River Twice released May 28 through Wardworks / Warner Music Canada. Having written for top artists including The Backstreet Boys, Colin James, Wynonna Judd, Anne Murray, Amanda Marshall, Peter Cetera and Diana Ross — as well as for television — Ward has journeyed back to his song writing and creative process with new music, playfully describing it as a ‘coming-of-age’ album.

“The creation of the album was a process of rediscovery, like falling in love again,” Ward explains. “It is deeply personal, nostalgic, romantic and at times wistful, featuring themes of optimism for a new day, during a bleak time.”

Ward and Tyson are among the country’s preeminent songwriters on the international stage. Tyson has written for celebrated artists including Celine Dion and has produced for Eddie Schwartz, Amanda Marshall, Heather Rankin and others; he has also won multiple JUNO Awards including Songwriter of the Year for his work with Hall & Oates.

Following the virtual induction presentation airing June 10th on The Morning Show, Black Velvet will take its place in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame’s permanent home at the National Music Centre in Calgary, which features a celebrated catalogue of inducted songs that fans can listen to in addition to displays, exclusive artifacts and one-of-a-kind memorabilia celebrating Canada’s greatest songwriters and Inductees.

Full line-up of Performers and Presenters Announced for the 50th Annual JUNO Awards Broadcast

Eric Alper
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Full line-up of Performers and Presenters Announced for the 50th Annual JUNO Awards Broadcast

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and CBC today announced the full list of performers and presenters for the golden anniversary of The JUNO Awards Broadcast on Sunday, June 6. The exciting lineup of artists set to perform in celebration of 50 years of Canadian music will include: five-time JUNO Award nominee and R&B-pop artist Ali Gatie who will perform alongside rising alternative pop singer and two-time JUNO Award nominee Tate McRae; three-time JUNO Award winner Jessie Reyez; seven-time JUNO Award winner and global superstar Justin Bieber; soulful singer-songwriter and five-time 2021 JUNO Award nominee JP Saxe featuring multi-platinum recording artist and songwriter Julia Michaels, and JUNO Award winner William Prince featuring six-time JUNO Award winner Serena Ryder.

Four-time JUNO Award winner Kardinal Offishall and two-time JUNO Award winner, multiple JUNO Award nominee and R&B/Soul artist Jully Black will join two-time JUNO Award winner Maestro Fresh Wes, nine-time JUNO Award nominee NAV, 2019 Polaris Music Prize winner Haviah Mighty, and hip hop pioneer Michie Mee to pay tribute to the 30th anniversary of the JUNO Rap Recording of the Year category and the influence the genre has had on the Canadian rap scene as a whole, during this special celebration on the broadcast.

Presenters for The 50th Annual JUNO Awards include: five-time JUNO Award winner Alessia Cara; actor and comedian Andrew Phung (Kim’s Convenience, Run the Burbs); TikTok sensations The Basement Gang; Indigenous activist and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Buffy Sainte-Marie; Barenaked Ladies frontman Ed Robertson; Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Gordon Lightfoot; Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy; record producer and DJ KAYTRANADA; legendary R&B and soul singer Liberty Silver; Arkells’ lead singer Max Kerman; 14-time JUNO Award winner Michael Bublé; country music artist Paul Brandt; multi-platinum singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan; Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee and country music icon, Shania Twain, Minister of Canadian Heritage The Honourable Steven Guilbeault; Nunavut’s first JUNO Award winning Inuk artist Susan Aglukark and Canadian actor, producer, and Freedom Mobile’s spokesperson Will Arnett.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Anne Murray would return to the JUNOS for the first time since 2013 to induct Jann Arden into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Arden will also perform during her inductee Award Presentation and Performance Presented by TD. Additionally, The Tragically Hip will perform alongside indie-pop icon Feist for a highly anticipated moment during The JUNO Awards Broadcast. The band will also receive the 2021 Humanitarian Award Presented by Music Canada, which will be presented to them by rock icons Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush.

The 50th Annual JUNO Awards, produced by Insight Productions, will be broadcast nationwide Sunday, June 6 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, and globally on CBCMusic.ca/junos and livestreamed on CBC Music’s TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter  pages.

Andy Cohen to Launch Exclusive New Music Channel on SiriusXM

Eric Alper
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Andy Cohen to Launch Exclusive New Music Channel on SiriusXM

SiriusXM announced today that Andy Cohen, producer, and television and radio host, will launch Andy Cohen’s Kiki Lounge, an exclusive new music channel on SiriusXM beginning today, May 26.

Andy Cohen invites listeners to his Kiki Lounge to discover deep cuts from artists that he loves. The channel will feature a personally crafted and curated eclectic mix of music, reflecting Andy’s musical palette across a variety of moods and occasions enjoyable for his loyal fans and worthy of music lovers. Subscribers will hear music from Madonna, John Mayer, Cher, U2, Diana Ross, B-52s, Aretha Franklin and many more. Every night will be a vibe at the Kiki Lounge with a different set from DJs including Chris Malinchak, Nora En Pure, Robbie Leslie, DJ Lina, DJ Bill Coleman, DJ Sammy Jo and Purple Disco Machine.

The channel will launch with Andy’s “Most Played,” a specialty show featuring Andy Cohen’s top songs from artists including Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, John Mayer, Madonna, U2, Whitney Houston and more.

“This is a pure passion project for me; I’ve been making mix tapes for my friends since mixtapes were a thing, and this is the ultimate expression of sharing my love of music with my (virtual) pals,” said Andy Cohen.

“Ever since we began working with Andy six years ago, he has proven to be a creative and evanescent programmer and talent, and when we went to him with an idea for a full time music channel, Andy was intrigued,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “Now we are wholly unsurprised that he is delivering a music channel that will be infectious with good vibes and a sense of naughty fun. We are excited to bring Andy’s Kiki Lounge to life wherever you listen to SiriusXM.”

To celebrate the launch of the new channel, Andy Cohen’s Kiki Lounge will have specialty programming all throughout Memorial Day Weekend. The All-Star Kiki Weekend will feature special guests including Kelly Ripa, Anderson Cooper, Tito, Marlon and Jackie Jackson, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Willie Geist, Henry Winkler, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Bevy Smith and more hand-picking surprising songs from the artists that they love. Listeners can tune into the All-Star Kiki Weekend Saturday, May 29 through Monday, May 31.

Additionally, Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters will host a weekly show, Night Work Radio. The show will feature the singer and performer entertaining listeners with an hour of unadulterated and unfiltered fun with DJ Sammy Jo spinning house, tech house, filthy electro and dirty disco. Night Work Radio with Jake Shears will air Friday nights at 9:00 pm ET.

Andy Cohen’s Kiki Lounge will launch on Wednesday, May 26 at 12:00 pm ET and will be available to listeners nationwide on SiriusXM radios (channel 312) and on the SXM App.

From now through June 8, non-subscribers can get Andy Cohen’s Kiki Lounge channel as part of the SiriusXM Listen Free Event.  During this event, SiriusXM will feature a sampling of over 100 SiriusXM channels including ad-free music of every kind, plus sports, talk, news and entertainment available to non-subscribers on inactive SiriusXM radios in their car and on the SXM App, with no credit card required. Go to siriusxm.com/listenfreeevent to learn more.

To get even more Andy Cohen listeners can tune in to SiriusXM’s Radio Andy. Radio Andy features 24/7 content produced and curated by Andy Cohen, and features the latest in pop culture, celebrities, lifestyle, news and more. Andy Cohen hosts Andy Cohen Live, which airs Mondays and Wednesdays, on Radio Andy. Additional shows on the channel include Jeff Lewis Live, Bevelations with Bevy Smith, Dan Rather’s America, Reality Checked with Amy Phillips, Sandyland with Sandra Bernhard and others.

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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

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