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Winterfolk XXIII: Celebrating 23 Years of Folk, Blues, and Roots Music in Toronto

Eric Alper
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Winterfolk XXIII: Celebrating 23 Years of Folk, Blues, and Roots Music in Toronto

Winterfolk, Toronto’s beloved annual celebration of folk, blues, and roots music, returns for its 23rd year from February 14–16, 2025, at the iconic Tranzac Club. This year’s festival promises an extraordinary mix of established artists, including Michael Jerome Browne, Dala, Sultans Of String, Donné Roberts, Russell deCarle, Amanda Rheaume, and Tannis Slimmon, alongside emerging talent and community-driven performances, all set to reignite the spirit of live music and inspire audiences of all ages.

Since its inception, Winterfolk has championed the rich traditions of folk, blues, and roots music while offering a platform for emerging voices in the industry. Over the years, the festival has grown from a grassroots effort to a highly respected event that draws over 150 performers and a diverse audience annually. Beyond showcasing exceptional talent, Winterfolk creates opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and connection within the music community.

The full lineup includes: Amanda Rheaume, Brian Blain, Brian Gladstone, Brian Morgan, Camie, Cathy Anne, D’Arcy Wickham, DALA, Danny Marks, David Newland, Donné Roberts, Glen Hornblast, Harpin’ Norm, Howard Gladstone, Jesse Greene, Jessica Stuart, Ken Whiteley, Laura Fernandez, Lynn Harrison, Lynn Miles, Melanie Peterson, Michael Jerome Browne, Noah Zacharin, Q & A, Robert Priest & the Revelations, Russell deCarle, Shawna Caspi, Sultans of String – Trio, Suzie Vinnick, Tannis Slimmon & Lewis Melville, The Mid-Century Modernes, Tony Quarrington, Tyler Ellis, Wild Bloom.

This year’s festival focuses on rebuilding and revitalization, presenting a lineup that combines iconic performers with fresh, youthful energy to ensure the continued evolution of roots music. According to Winterfolk founder Brian Gladstone, “Amid declining resources and shrinking audiences, Winterfolk is focused on rebuilding for a sustainable and vibrant future by presenting young emerging talent—a voice from the future that ensures the evolution and vitality of roots music.”

Highlights of Winterfolk XXIII

  • Opening Night – Friday, February 14, 2025: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with “Valentine Voices: A Night of Female Power,” featuring performances by Lynn Miles, Melanie Peterson, and more artists to be announced.
  • Saturday, February 15, 2025: A full day of music, including fan-favorite artists DALA, Robert Priest, Tannis Slimmon, Noah Zacharin, Lynn Harrison, Brian Gladstone, and Laura Fernandez, as well as “The Blues of Winterfolk” showcase starring Toronto Blues Society rising star Jesse Greene and friends. Additional workshops and guitar sessions will round out the day.
  • Sunday, February 16, 2025: The festival shines a spotlight on community music organizations and talent like Ken Whiteley, Michael Jerome Browne, Amanda Rheaume, providing a glimpse into the past and future of folk, blues, and roots music.
  • Winterfolk XXIII’s lineup features a mix of celebrated names and rising stars, including Michael Jerome Browne, Donné Roberts, Russell deCarle, Dala, Amanda Rheaume, Tannis Slimmon & Lewis Melville, Harpin’ Norm Lucien, Jesse Greene, and many more.
    In addition to its artist showcases, Winterfolk is partnering with local organizations such as the Toronto Folk Festival, Brampton Folk Festival, and Seneca College Music Program to amplify their work and foster greater collaboration within the music community.

Beyond performances, Winterfolk XXIII offers workshops, seminars, and discussions designed to engage audiences on a deeper level. These activities provide opportunities to learn about the rich history of roots music and connect with the vibrant Toronto music scene.

Like many festivals, Winterfolk faces challenges as it continues to recover from the pandemic. Despite a low-budget year, all signs point to success as audiences, sponsors, and grants steadily return. Gladstone remains optimistic: “It takes a community to build a festival, and Winterfolk’s success has been a true partnership with our fans, audiences, artists, and supporters. Together, we’ve grown the festival, enriched the roots music scene, and strengthened the Toronto music community.”

Winterfolk XXIII invites music lovers, families, and friends to experience three unforgettable days of live music, community connection, and cultural celebration. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering the festival for the first time, Winterfolk offers something truly special for everyone.

For tickets and more information, visit Winterfolk’s Official Website.

Winterfolk XXIII is proudly presented with the support of local partners, artists, and volunteers who share a passion for keeping the spirit of folk, blues, and roots music alive.

HOLLY COLE RELEASES NEW ALBUM ‘DARK MOON’

Eric Alper
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HOLLY COLE RELEASES NEW ALBUM ‘DARK MOON’

Renowned Canadian / International vocalist Holly Cole has released her 13th studio album, Dark Moon. Teaming up with her long-time live performance partners, along with additional musicians to create rich harmonies and layers, this album is a true ensemble project that highlights her signature style. Dark Moon is available here via Rumpus Room/Universal Music Canada.

 “I really wanted this album to embrace the spirit of spontaneity. At the same time a quintessential part of the sound of my music is in the arrangements. So, we did very little rehearsal in advance, and the songs were incredibly fresh for us while we were in the studio. The musicians that I play with contribute greatly to the arranging of the songs, and I wanted to hear the sound of when the light goes on for each one of us and many of the arrangements fell together as we played them. What we end up hearing on this record is the moment when we discover what we love about the song, and what its essence is for me.” – said Cole.

Holly Cole isn’t one of those artists who falls into any one category. Her smoky voice is sultry, her arrangements smart and sexy and all the while she and her musicians very uniquely reshape traditional Jazz, Pop and Country standards this time particularly from the New American Songbook writers including Marty Balin, Peggy Lee, Hal David, Burt Bacharach and Johnny Mercer.

The ensemble that Holly has brought together to help create and perform on Dark Moon includes long time live performance / recording mates, Aaron Davis (piano), George Koller (bass), Davide Direnzo (drums) and John Johnson (saxophone). Add to that the brilliance of sometime accompanist’s including guitar master and provocateur Kevin Breit and on harmonica two-time Grammy winner and original member of Bella Fleck and the Flecktones, Howard Levy and finally the wonderful three-part 1950’s Nashville style harmonies of the Good Lovelies. Together they define the absolute best in “ensemble playing”!

The first featured single is ‘No Moon At All’ is an up-tempo, sexy version of the track originally recorded by Peggy Lee that features a wonderful Howard Levy (2-time Grammy winner, friend, and original member of the Flecktones) harmonica solo.

Dark Moon is available  now via Rumpus Room/Universal Music Canada on CD, 180-gram black vinyl, standard, Hi-Res digital + ATMOS.

Holly Cole is a renowned Canadian / International jazz singer who began her career in 1989 with the release of her 4-song EP ‘Christmas Blues’ under indie label Alert Music, followed by her debut album ‘Girl Talk’ in 1990.

In 1992, she signed with Blue Note’s Manhattan imprint and released ‘Blame It on My Youth’ which achieved Platinum + sales in Canada, over 200,000 copies internationally, and based on the success of the single “Calling You”, a number 1 charted single and album in Japan. The next album based on her hit rendition of Johnny Nash’s, “I Can See Clearly Now” and its accompanying video cemented her success internationally setting up her following release, the critically acclaimed, Temptation, an album made up of material exclusively written by Tom Waits, one of Holly favourite songwriters.

With 12 previous albums to her name, Cole has achieved multi-platinum sales and received numerous awards, including 2 Juno Awards (out of 8 nominations) and 2 Gemini Awards. She has also won two Japanese Grand Prix Gold Disc Awards and the prestigious Ella Fitzgerald Award from the Montreal Jazz Festival, joining the ranks of Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall and Etta James. In 2014, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University.

In 2019, Holly Cole reunited the original Holly Cole Trio, with David Pitch on bass and Aaron Davis on piano, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. They performed at the cabaret Lion d’Or in Montreal, and these special shows were recorded and became the 2021 album ‘Montreal’.

For Christmas 2022, Cole released a remastered compilation combining her holiday releases from 1989 and 2001, titled anew ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside and I Have the Christmas Blues’.

The Music / Track listing

CD/DIGITAL/LP (Side 1 #1-5 / Side 2 #6-11)

  1. Steppin’ Out with My Baby
  2. Where Flamingoes Fly
  3. Moon River
  4. No Moon at All
  5. Message to Michael
  6. The Exciting Life
  7. Dark Moon
  8. Comin’ Back to Me
  9. Kiss Me Quick
  10. Walk Away Renee
  11. Johnny Guitar

Upcoming Tour Dates

  • March 7, 8, 10, 11 – Tokyo, Japan – Blue Note
  • April 27 – Peterborough – Market Hall Performance Art Centre
  • July 2 – Montreal, QC Festival International de Jazz de Montreal Theatre Jean Duceppe – Place des Arts
  • Canadian Summer Festival appearances announcements coming soon
  • Germany / US / Western Canada Late Summer / Fall 2025

 

 

Whiskey Jack Celebrates 46 Years In Music With Country-Folk Single “O L D” About Aging and Pickleball

Eric Alper
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Whiskey Jack Celebrates 46 Years In Music With Country-Folk Single “O L D” About Aging and Pickleball

If you’re fortunate enough to grow old, things begin to happen and you begin to ask yourself simple questions, like “did I leave my keys in my wallet or in my car? Did I leave my wallet in my car or at home? Did I leave my dentures in my car or in my wallet?” Time remains undefeated after all. But for Whiskey Jack, the process of aging has provided inspiration for their latest whimsical toe-tapper “O L D.”

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ5t7gV0tnE&si=9RRxScKb3IeXLZ_f

“O L D” was inspired in early 2024 when singer and guitarist Douglas John Cameron was chatting one day with his old pal Steve Hunter. During the discussion, Cameron had a momentary brain lapse and forgot something. “It looks like you’ve got the O L D,” Steve quipped with a laugh. The apt response was the creative spark for the single. “I just wrote about everything that was happening around me at the time — losing keys, doctor appointments, and pickleball,” Cameron says. “The song wrote itself.”

“O L D” was written, composed, and produced by Cameron, a two-time JUNO Award nominee for his songs Mona With The Children (1986) and Ants In Your Pants (2000). This is a sparse but spectacularly precise tale of realizing the aches and pains might not go away so easily. Told as if it was a doctor-patient consultation, “O L D” brings the work of John Prine, Lyle Lovett, Leon Redbone, and Jerry Reed to the fore for being highly comical and true. The song features Cameron on guitar and vocals, Duncan Fremlin on vocals and Steve Hunter on piano. And from the subtle piano tickling to the light and airy rhythm section, Whiskey Jack has played all the right notes to have a hit on their hands.

“We played it for the first time live with our band mates Billy MacInnis on fiddle, and James McEleney on bass, at a Royal Canadian Legion show in April, a crowd not known for their exuberance,” Cameron says. “We were stunned by the extended applause and robust laughter. Today, this has become our signature song and is featured at all of our shows. The reactions are the same each time. The young like it because they say, ‘My dad would love that song.’ The older crowd loves it because it speaks to what they’re experiencing every day as a senior. If it had been on a recording this year, our CD sales would have soared, and the pickleball craze would be even bigger.”

“O L D” is the latest offering from Whiskey Jack, a band who has been touring and recording for almost half a century. Appearing on CBC Television’s The Tommy Hunter Show’s “Ol’ Back Porch” segment, the group were honoured in 1990 when the legendary Stompin’ Tom Connors made the group one of his studio and touring bands. The partnership lasted for almost a quarter of a century before Connor’s death in 2014.

Whiskey Jack have several albums in their discography dating back to 1979’s Uptown debut, which was followed up by 1981’s One More Time. The group, who released their latest album Whiskey Jack 10 (Do It Again) in 2023, have also appeared on CBC Morningside, The Alan Thicke Show and The Ralph Emery Show on The Nashville Network. Memebers of the group also supported Connors on Late Night with Conan O’Brien when the host took his show to Toronto in 2004. Whiskey Jack, who have taken their years with Connors to create a Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin’ Tom concert, describe their performances as “polished” while “exuding humour, playfulness and professionalism.”

Now with plans for a Legends of Canadian Country Music TV trek with Donna and LeRoy from The Tommy Hunter Show in the cards, and a brand-new single in “O L D,” Whiskey Jack have definitely struck G O L D with this terrific tune.

“One Good Reason” Marks a Brilliant Follow-Up for Ojibwe Folk Artist SARA KAE After Top 10 Indigenous Music Countdown Hit “25”

Eric Alper
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“One Good Reason” Marks a Brilliant Follow-Up for Ojibwe Folk Artist SARA KAE After Top 10 Indigenous Music Countdown Hit “25”

Depression and mental health issues can be heavy topics to discuss. But with more awareness comes more empathy and ways to address these issues head on. Folksy singer-songwriter Sara Kae, an Ojibwe and Cree member of Ontario’s Lake Helen First Nation near Thunder Bay, has tackled the subject with the warm, almost criminally melodic single “One Good Reason.” The song should strike a chord with listeners as much as it did Kae.

“‘One Good Reason’ is a song of perseverance,” Kae says. “I had been struggling with mental health and the idea that it can be exhausting to keep yourself afloat through the confusion and heartache that can come with life. The song is about the temptation of falling deeper into spaces of sadness and hurt. That it sometimes feels as if situations in life and your mind are guiding you there.

“I wrote the line ‘one good reason’ as a challenge to the things in life that might try and knock me down and keep me there. I was trying to challenge my own thoughts of giving up and living in my own despair instead of trying my best to work towards happiness, which is easier said than done at times. I wrote this song knowing that many struggle with these same thoughts, and music is what allows us out of isolation a bit.”

Kae wrote “One Good Reason” at home and wanted a counterbalance to the song’s weightier issues “with optimism.” “I wanted both worlds to co-exist which is the reality of life,” she says. “We have to juggle the good with the bad and try and find our way through it.” As a result, the song’s music and melody are warm, engaging, and teeming with brighter sonic hues. With some sweet mandolin and guitar work in the song’s homestretch, combined with her excellent vocal delivery, Kae has crafted a song that recalls Kacey Musgraves, Alison Krauss and Union Station, and The Be Good Tanyas.

“One Good Reason” is another fine release from Kae who also writes and performs. Kae’s career commenced at age 12, touring local schools and performing at community gatherings in Northern Ontario with her father, who was a counselor. Kae also performed in Rise with Sara Kae, a 2023 concert series in collaboration with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and co-created Trading Places, a musical theatre production.

A honors graduate and Founders Award recipient from Mississauga’s Metalworks Institute, Kae received a Canadian Journalism Foundation-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowship in 2023 while based in Winnipeg. She’s appeared at Thunder Bay’s Wake the Giant Music Festival, headlined her own radio program with Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and partnered with Susan Aglukark’s Arctic Rose Foundation as a guest artist. Previous singles include 2022’s “Rise,” 2023’s “Constellations,” and “25” which was one of four songs from her Maadaadizi EP released in October. Plus, she made fun and insightful “Mini Car Series” video clips on Instagram regarding the material on Maadaadizi while seated in a passenger seat.

With its tasteful, tactful approach and sensitivity to a difficult topic, fans, and newcomers to Sara Kae’s music and story have several good reasons to listen to “One Good Reason.”

Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest Announces 2025 Lineup: Grammy Winner Nicole Zuraitis, JUNO Award nominees Alex Bird, Jill Barber, Jay Douglas, Tanika Charles

Eric Alper
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Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest Announces 2025 Lineup: Grammy Winner Nicole Zuraitis, JUNO Award nominees Alex Bird, Jill Barber, Jay Douglas, Tanika Charles

Destination Markham proudly announces the return of the wildly popular Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest for its third year. Building on the success of the sold-out 2023 and 2024 editions, this year’s series promises even more memorable evenings celebrating the vibrant culinary and musical culture of the City of Markham. With six events planned from late January to March 2025, Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest continues to grow as a must-attend cultural experience in the Greater Toronto Area.

2025 Event Schedule:

  • Series 1: January 21–25 | 2x-time JUNO Award nominee Alex Bird & The Jazz Mavericks at SMASH Kitchen & Bar
  • Series 2: January 28–February 1 | 3x-time JUNO Award nominee Jill Barber at Essence of Unionville, Hilton Toronto/Markham
  • Series 3: February 4–8 | 2x-time JUNO Award nominee Tanika Charles at Laz Authentic Cuisine
  • Series 4: February 26-28 I 2024 Grammy Award winner Nicole Zuraitis at “Draco” at Toronto Marriott Markham
  • Series 5: March 4-8 I | 2x-time JUNO Award nominee Jay Douglas All Star Band at Rouge River Brewing Company
  • Series 6: March 18-22 I MYSTERY GUEST & LOCATION

“Markham’s Jazzlicious WinterFest welcomes locals and visitors alike to experience Markham’s unique dining scene, while listening to world-class musicians,” says the Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “Through the Tourism Growth Program, the Government of Canada is investing in unique experiences that showcase all that southern Ontario has to offer, driving tourism and strengthening local economies.”

“We’re thrilled to see Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest continue to grow,” says Andrew Baldwin, Executive Director, Destination Markham Corporation. “This festival represents everything that makes Markham unique – the intersection of culinary excellence and cultural richness. We are proud to create a platform that draws visitors and spotlights Markham as a premier destination for unforgettable experiences.”

Culinary Highlights:

  • Hosted at SMASH Kitchen & Bar, guests will enjoy an exceptional menu crafted by Executive Chef Isaac Co, perfectly complementing the evening’s performances.
  • Essence of Unionville, located in the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites, will feature a menu by Executive Chef Jitin Gaba, enhancing the soulful sounds of the evening.
  • At Laz Authentic Cuisine, guests will be treated to a spectacular meal prepared by Executive Chef and Owner Diakhia Lezama, paired with outstanding jazz performances.
  • At Draco, located in the Toronto Marriott Markham, guests will indulge in a thoughtfully curated menu by Executive Chef Bill Jewer, elevating the dining experience with his creative culinary expertise.
  • Rouge River Brewing Company will offer an innovative beer and food pairing experience, featuring artisanal pizzas crafted by Brewery Owner and Head Brewer Jordan Mills, and Pizza Chef Jezza.

Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply love good food and great company, Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest is your perfect escape from the ordinary. Venture just north of Toronto’s downtown core to discover why Markham is rapidly becoming one of the GTA’s premier culinary and cultural destinations.

Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest is produced by Destination Markham Corporation in collaboration with the Markham Jazz Festival, and in partnership with Cosmo Music, Flato Markham Theatre, JAZZ.FM91 radio and, with funding provided by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Experience Ontario and Central Counties Tourism.

The perfect holiday gift, the 2025 edition of the Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest will now feature six musical and culinary pairings at signature venues across the city. Guests will be treated to a night of delicious meals prepared by some of Markham’s top chefs and live jazz performances by some of Canada’s brightest stars.

Tickets for the 2025 Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest are on sale on December 13, 2024. For further information and to pre-register for series tickets, visit jazzlicious.ca.

About Destination Markham: Destination Markham Corporation (DMC) is an arm’s length municipal corporation launched in April 2020 as the destination management organization (DMO) for the City of Markham. Its purpose is to promote Markham as a remarkable destination for visitors, including tourists, sport and festival attendees, meeting and conference delegates, and business travellers. The key tourism objectives are to research, develop, market, and grow Markham’s tourism/visitor economy. This initiative will collaborate with Markham’s hotel industry, festival-event conference-travel planners, attraction operators, cultural institutions, sports tourism promoters, entertainment and recreation providers, food service businesses and the City of Markham. Learn more at visitmarkham.ca.

About FedDev Ontario: For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Roots Musician John Dawson Finds Universal Love in Wrestling-Inspired Single “Under All the Lights”

Eric Alper
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Roots Musician John Dawson Finds Universal Love in Wrestling-Inspired Single “Under All the Lights”

They say that behind every great man is a woman. That’s the theme of “Under All the Lights,” the new single from Newmarket roots musician John Dawson that finds deep emotional resonance in the age-old poetic trope of the enduring love between … a pro wrestler and his wife?

For real, though. Behind the song’s craftily ambiguous portrait of undying devotion is the specific story of WWE superstar Cody (son of Dusty) Rhodes and his loyal spouse, Brandi. They’re the pair Dawson is thinking of when he sings of a man—seen variously as a “warrior” and a “mage” by the world at large—who knows his true strength comes from his partner.

Under all the lights with only everyone,
He’s looking for one single face.
Without her, he’s just song without the sound.
He’s just words without a page.

The song was inspired by Rhodes’ participation in last year’s WrestleMania XL, and more particularly an interview he gave in the run up to the event.
“I was drawn to a seemingly offhand comment he made where he boasted of how well his wife would be positioned in the coming big show,” Dawson says. “It was this that struck me. The eyes of the world were on him, but his eyes were on her.”

Dawson knows his wrestling, have no doubt: When he isn’t making music or spending quality time with his own family, he cohosts a weekly radio show called Ringside Heat, in which he interviews some of the most notable names in the sport. But you don’t have to share his passion for the pastime to be touched by “Under All the Lights,” which has a universal, tug-at-the-heartstrings appeal held aloft by Dawson’s haunting vocals and guitar. (He’s ably supported by Steve Peconi on rhythm guitar, Manny DeGrandis on bass, Anthony D’Andela on drums and Mike Walsom on organ, piano and keyboards). What’s most important, though, are the sentiments behind the words, which Dawson knows extend far beyond the ring.

“It’s a simple tale of love and its triumph over adversity that, regardless of the specific subject matter, I hope can find meaning for any listener,” he says.
Imparting meaning through melody is something Dawson knows how to do in a myriad of ways. A songwriter, guitarist and composer who’s based in the Greater Toronto area, he has worked in multiple areas of the music industry, ranging from education to performance. Over the years, he has played with JUNO- and Grammy-nominated artists and had the honour of backing up Jackie Lomax at a 2011 Beatles festival. He’s a graduate of the Humber College Music program and holds degrees in Music and Education from York University. His muses as a writer and player include George Harrison, Paul Simon, Bill Frisell, Eric Clapton, and Mark Knopfler.

Those influences and more were in full flower on Dawson’s 2024 debut album, Outlier, a nine-song rumination on the changes each of us will invariably face in life. Standout tracks included the singles “Things That I Meant To Say,” “Life Just Came to Me” and “Where You Belong,” plus the jazzy, rootsy instrumental “Merry and Pippin.” To that sturdy repertoire, we can now add “Under All the Lights,” which starts Dawson’s 2025 on a note of pure class and elegant romance. Whatever else he has in store for us this year, it’s clearly going to be no holds barred.

Gerry Jack Macks Brews Up Genre-Defying Boogie with Double-A Side Singles “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road”

Eric Alper
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Gerry Jack Macks Brews Up Genre-Defying Boogie with Double-A Side Singles “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road”

Kamloops, British Columbia-based genre-defying musician Gerry Jack Macks is offering up a glorious one-two combo with the release of his Double-A side singles “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road,” a tandem brimming with bevies of boogie from start to finish. Both singles also feature Macks collaborating with talented young drummer Sara Varro and two-time Juno Award winner Al Lerman. And both songs started over a cup of coffee!

Macks says “Two Melissas” was inspired after visiting Kamloops’ Red Beard Cafe for his usual coffee break in September 2020 after his regular go-to spot had pandemic-related capacity restrictions. A server, Melissa, waited on him, and they started talking about music. Originally thinking of writing a song inspired by his “landlady,” Melissa said “no one has written a song with my name.” Macks said he would before Melissa added there was another staffer also named Melissa. Hence, “Two Melissas.”

The artist says the melody and chorus almost came instantly to him while he drank his coffee. By the time Melissa checked to see how he was making out with his beverage, he started singing it. Some time later, the musician honed the lyrics for the entire song. “Although originally meant to be about the Red Beard in Kamloops, the style of the song required more of a dance club atmosphere,” he says. “Not wanting to be misleading about the Red Beard, I reluctantly decided to change the location in the song to one with a dance floor and live band.” Macks then decided to use “Foxie’s,” a bar from long ago he remembered situated far away from Kamloops.

“Two Melissas” oozes plenty of boogie while bringing to mind the style of Carl Perkins and Ronnie Hawkins for its feel-good, old-school Sun-era energy. Macks sings, plays rhythm guitar and electric bass while Lerman offers up a great amount of rollicking harmonica. And Varro keeps it all in check with solid drumming throughout. Macks wrote, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered the song which was recorded at Kamloops’ Dusty Cottonwood Studios.

Equally stellar is “Too Many Times Down That Road” which showcases Mack’s unique musical style that defies genre boundaries. The song was born out of a chance encounter over a cup of coffee with his friend Al Lomas. The longtime trucker had just navigated a treacherous backroad filled with potholes and ruts. Inspired by Lomas’ description of the rough journey, Macks penned the song’s lyrics right there in the diner, capturing the essence of a challenging path with a catchy tune.

“Too Many Times Down That Road” is set to be a high-energy, genre-blending track that continues Macks’ tradition of pushing musical boundaries. The single is part of Macks’ ongoing effort to create music that defies categorization and appeals to a wide range of music enthusiasts.

Macks is not your typical artist. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays most of the instruments on his recordings, and his music effortlessly crosses the lines of various genres, including outlaw country, country rock, and southern rock. His work draws inspiration from rhythm and blues, pop, and Canadiana.

“I never really have any idea exactly what genre or genres a recording is when I release it,” Macks confesses. “The distributors force artists to choose from a strict list of genres before the artist can release recordings, and I always struggle with great angst when forced to pigeon-hole my music.”

Macks has a long and storied musical career that began in the early 1970s. With the support of legendary Edmonton musician Tommy Banks’ wife, Ida Banks, Macks quickly rose from a beginner on the music circuits of Alberta, BC, NWT, and the Yukon to a full-time music career.

Over the years, his music has evolved to encompass Jazz, Blues, Easy Listening, Country, Folk, Pop, Rock, and more. Macks’ upcoming projects include the highly anticipated Sleepy Time Sessions album, inspired by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, and Nat King Cole, as well as several other roots-based albums.

“I have always had deep appreciation for the people who follow my music, and I take every opportunity to remain in personal contact with them,” says Macks.

Now with this Double-A Side release, Gerry Jack Macks is bringing his bottomless cup of boogie to the masses with “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road.”

Billboard Chart-Toppers Sultans of String and Mississauga Symphony Orchestra Celebrate World Premiere February 8, 2025

Eric Alper
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Billboard Chart-Toppers Sultans of String and Mississauga Symphony Orchestra Celebrate World Premiere February 8, 2025

3x JUNO nominees and Billboard chart-toppers Sultans of String and the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Denis Mastromonaco are kicking off the New Year with a World Premiere of REFUGE.  This powerful production is unlike any other and brings the magic of collaboration to the stage with award-winning artists who are new immigrants, refugees, and global talents who are ambassadors for peace.

This live concert will showcase the incredible music and storytelling of many of their collaborators featured in their Cannes World Film Festival award–winning The Refuge Project. Tickets are available now here.

“We are so excited to be able to present our collaborations that showcase and amplify essential voices” says bandleader/producer and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient Chris McKhool.

“We feel so fortunate to be able to grow as human beings and as artists through these collaborations. We keep exploring and learning our whole lives, and sharing these songs with the MSO is really exciting!”

In addition to winning Best Music Film at Cannes World Film Festival, the film version of Refuge has also won at the Vancouver Independent Film Festival and Boston Independent Film Awards, with the CD of the music winning the Canadian Folk Music Awards for Global Roots Album of the Year, and Producer of the Year.

This ambitious, diverse, inclusive, and passionately political concert puts this global grooves supergroup face-to-face with a VIP roster of global ‘ambassadors,’ many of whom are recent immigrants and refugees to Canada. All bring their unique brand of musical synergy and collaboration to bear on discussion and songs that speak to the challenges facing the world’s displaced peoples—their stories, their songs, their persistence and their humanity. The international cast of special guests and ambassadors for peace feature stellar performances from Leen Hamo and Majd Sukar from Syria, Donné Roberts from Madagascar, Romani Nyckelharpa player Saskia Tomkins, Persian tar player Padideh Ahrarnejad, flamenco artist Tamar Ilana and more.

Bandleader Chris McKhool (Makhoul in Lebanon) has an Egyptian-born mother who happened to play piano, teach classical theory, and feed her young son as much Middle Eastern cuisine as she did music lessons. From there, the powerful violinist developed a taste for multi-genre string sounds and found a like-minded crew of all-world enthusiasts. When McKhool first heard founding guitarist Kevin Laliberté’s rumba rhythm, their musical synergy created Sultans of String’s signature sound – the intimate and playful relationship between violin and guitar. From this rich foundation, the dynamic duo grew, featuring such amazing musical friends as in-the-pocket bass master Drew Birston, and the jaw-dropping beats of percussionist Chendy Leon.

Their live resume is similarly stellar. Equally at home in a concert hall, folk and jazz club or festival setting, the Sultans have gigged at JUNOfest, the legendary club Birdland in New York, Celtic Connections Festival (Glasgow) and London’s Trafalgar Square. They have sold out Koerner Hall three times (Toronto’s Carnegie Hall), and performed with the Annapolis, Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton Symphony Orchestras. They have played live on CBC’s Canada Live, BBC Radio, BBC TV, Irish National Radio, and the syndicated World Café, Woodsongs, and SiriusXM in Washington. Sultans of String’s musicianship and versatility are also showcased in collaborations with such diverse luminaries as Paddy Moloney & The Chieftains, Sweet Honey in The Rock, Richard Bona (Paul Simon), Alex Cuba, Ruben Blades, Yasmin Levy, Benoit Bourque, Béla Fleck, Crystal Shawanda & Ken Whiteley.

How To Use Spotify for Artists To Pitch An Upcoming, Unreleased Song To Their Playlist Editors

Eric Alper
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How To Use Spotify for Artists To Pitch An Upcoming, Unreleased Song To Their Playlist Editors

Musicians, maximize your release’s impact by using Spotify for Artists to pitch unreleased songs to playlist editors and ensure they’re added to your followers’ Release Radar playlists.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Log in to Spotify for Artists.
  2. Find unreleased music to pitch:
    1. At the top of  Home, select PITCH FROM NEXT RELEASE.
    2. On web, you can also pitch from the  Music tab under Upcoming.
  3. Choose a song and fill out the info. The more info they get, the better chance it has.

Tip: Need access to Spotify for Artists? Learn how to get access

Info about pitching music:

  • Deliver your music to them at least 7 days before its release date so their editors have time to listen
  • You can’t pitch compilations or songs you’re a featured artist on
  • You can only pitch one song at a time. Once your pitched song goes live, you can pitch another
  • Anyone with Admin or Editor access can see and edit the pitch
  • You can edit your pitch up to release day, but there’s no guarantee their editors will see the changes
  • Once a song has gone live, it’s no longer eligible for pitching

Pinning a pitched song to your This Is playlist:

  • You can pin the song that you pitched to your This Is playlist if you’re eligible for one
  • Once your new song is available to listeners on Spotify, pinning takes around 3 days
  • You can only submit one pin request at a time. Once your pinned song goes live, you can submit another request
  • Songs are pinned to your This Is playlist for up to 28 days post-release in the order they were requested, with the earliest pinned song appearing first

How to know if your song gets picked

They’ll email you if your song gets picked. You can also check the Playlists tab in Spotify for Artists when your release goes live and explore detailed stats about it. Spotify’s editors might pick a different song for their playlists to the one you pitched.

Pitching doesn’t guarantee playlist placement. If your song doesn’t get picked, it may still get discovered later. Stay on their editors’ radar by building your fanbase and engaging with your audience on Spotify and beyond.

However, submitting a pitch at least 7 days before release day will get your song on your followers’ Release Radar playlists. You can also pin your song to your This Is playlist if you’re eligible for one.

Label-only pitches

Licensors and labels can make a pitch label-only.

Artists and managers can see the song and who pitched it, but can’t edit or view some pitch details (e.g. genre, mood, and culture tags).

You can reach out to your licensor or label if you need help with a label-only pitch.

For all your publicity needs, feel free to email Eric@ThatEricAlper.com or call me at 647-971-3742. With 25+ years of experience and a deep passion for connecting artists to audiences, I’m here to help you make an impact.

Photo Gallery: Sum 41 with PUP and Gob at St. Catharines’ Meridian Centre

Eric Alper
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Photo Gallery: Sum 41 with PUP and Gob at St. Catharines’ Meridian Centre

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram.

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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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