LIGHTFOOT WINS CMAO IMPACT AWARD

June 2, 2014October 28, 2014 Keith Sharp

Recording legend Gordon Lightfoot was on hand Monday at Markham Ontario’s Flato Theatre to receive the prestigious `Impact Award’ at the Country Music of Ontario Association’s 2nd annual awards event. Hosted by Jason McCoy and presented by Slaight Music, the CMAO’s lauded Lightfoot for his work in leaving an indelibly positive footprint on the landscape of Country Music in Ontario.... Read More

Corey Hart: Going Out In Style

May 29, 2014June 6, 2014 Keith Sharp

It was to be an exercise in futility. The task; to interview Corey Hart about his new record release, `Ten Thousand Horses’, his new coffee table book, `Corey Hart – Chasing The Sun – My Life In Music’ and his forthcoming career concert finale, an ambitious three-hour mega event to be staged on Tuesday, June 3rd (Originally May 31st but... Read More

Breaking: Killer Dwarf hospitalized after 5 car pile-up

May 27, 2014May 27, 2014 Keith Sharp

Killer Dwarfs’ lead vocalist Russell Graham (Russ Dwarf) was airlifted to a hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana Monday after a vehicle carrying the four-member band was involved in a serious car accident around 2 p.m. Initial reports indicate that Graham’s injuries are non life threatening. “I don’t want to freak any of you out but myself and the rest of... Read More

SARAH McLACHLAN – Shine On

May 26, 2014May 25, 2014 Keith Sharp

McLachlan’s first studio effort in four years has already created a certain amount of controversy with two songs in particular, ‘Beautiful Girl’ and a fairly explicit `The Sound That Love Makes’ suggesting a reassignment of her sexual orientation. “Not true”, protests Ms. McLachlan although she does acknowledge a strong LGBT fan base. A collection of 13 songs, many influenced by... Read More

The Many Faces Of Lisa Dal Bello

May 22, 2014May 23, 2014 Keith Sharp

Contrary to the perception that Lisa Dalbello has dropped off the music industry map, she’s still out there and you may hear her more times than you recognize. Yes that is Dalbello singing the Ford Focus commercial or the Cheers detergent commercial or introducing Peter Mansbridge on CBC’s National news program. And yes, that is Dalbello’s distinctive voice being utilized... Read More

SEBASTIAN BACH – Give ‘Em Hell

May 21, 2014 Keith Sharp

(Frontier Records) Of all the classic hard rockers that emerged from Canada in the early Eighties, Peterborough Ontario’s Sebastian Bach ruled supreme. As frontman for New Jersey’s Skid Row, with their chart-topping “18 And Life”, Bach appeared on the front cover of Rolling Stone magazine as the pin-up boy of the Eighties hair band movement. And although all of those... Read More

NEW FACES: BEAUTIFUL NOTHING

May 20, 2014May 20, 2014 Keith Sharp

Today (Tueday May 20th) culminates in the release of the debut, self-titled recording by Toronto-based Beautiful Nothing. Consisting of three brothers; Anthony Ludgate (lead vocals/keyboards), Luke Ludgate (guitars/keyboards), Shane Ludgate (drums/percussion) and their two friends, Sven Petrovic (guitar) and James Featherstone (bass) – the end result of months spent working away in a downtown Toronto loft crafting a record that... Read More

Myles Goodwyn Takes A Curtain Call

May 16, 2014May 19, 2014 Keith Sharp

April Wine, the pride of Waverly Nova Scotia will lose their last remaining original member as lead vocalist/guitarist and chief songwriter, steps aside after a career spanning almost 50 years. In a statement released Friday on the band’s official website, Goodwyn confirmed his decision to retire from touring with the band but says he still plans to play a role... Read More

Jason McCoy To Host Second Annual CMAO’s

May 15, 2014May 20, 2014 Roman Mitz

One of the more pleasant surprises in the country music industry last year was the success of the first Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) awards show. Not only did it provide the opportunity to acknowledge the finest country performers in the province, but the high octane performances made for a rip-snorting blast for the fans in attendance. The second... Read More

DAVE GUNNING – STORIES & SONGS FROM A MAN WITH BIG SHOES TO FILL

May 14, 2014 Music Express

“It was rock and roll to me. He might as well have been the King. Now I could walk a thousand miles, and it would be like I stood still. Spend my whole life trying, and I’ll never fill those shoes.” Words penned by Dave Gunning, from his song, “Big Shoes” (We’re All Leaving, 2009), about Canadian iconic folk musician,... Read More

Teenage Head – It Only Took 32 Years!

May 13, 2014May 13, 2014 Keith Sharp

Teenage Head’s original members Gord Lewis, Steve Marshall plus sisters of the late Frankie Venom (Kerr) received a gold record for their “Some Kinda Fun” record originally released in 1982 on Attic Records. The award was presented to them by Lou Molinaro, owner of Hamilton club This Ain’t Hollywood on Friday May 9th. Photo by Ted Van Boort [youtube width=”600″... Read More

JANN ARDEN’S VOCAL MAKEOVER

May 13, 2014 Keith Sharp

Approaching her 12th album, Jann Arden was facing a career crossroad. After more than 35 years in the music business, the 52-year-old Calgarian could not be faulted if she started to wind down her career, continue with the TV celebrity appearances and execute the odd nostalgic concert tour. Yet for Arden, nostalgia at this point is not an option. As... Read More

TERRY DRAPER – When The World Was Young

May 8, 2014 Keith Sharp

(Magentalaine Records) That mystery band that was Klaatu Is long gone but one third of the trio’s creative force, Terry Draper is still flying the band’s flag with solo recordings that still maintain the band’s Eighties’ mentality. Listening to the record’s title track plus other songs like `All The King’s Men’, `To Whom It May Concern’ and `No Life Before... Read More

Jess Moskaluke – Cool Licks & Hot Lips

May 5, 2014 Roman Mitz

Jess Moskaluke’s new album and her first full-length release is called Light Up The Night. The first single, Good Lovin’, has already burned up the charts and the second one, Cheap Wine and Cigarettes, is poised to follow. Like Justin Bieber, the pretty chanteuse was discovered on YouTube where her sensational country covers created a huge following for her. This... Read More

JANN ARDEN – Everything Almost

April 29, 2014April 29, 2014 Keith Sharp

(Universal Music) Think of Jann Arden’s music and you think of lightweight melodic compositions. Think of producer Bob Rock and you think of classic hard rock releases by the likes of Metallica, Motley Crue and Aerosmith. Yet mix the two of them together and the result is a dynamic combination. Yes there is still a healthy dose of lightweight melodies... Read More

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

April 28, 2014 Keith Sharp

Karl Wolf stares at the gold and platinum awards that adorn the walls of his Montreal-based Lone Wolf Management and Record label and wonders aloud why people in Canada’s record industry still consider him to be a one-hit wonder cover artist. “It bothers me that this industry looks at me as a cover artist,” an issue he will address with... Read More

BIG MUSIC FEST ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR BREAKING BANDS

April 25, 2014May 22, 2014 Music Express

(April 24, 2014 – Toronto, Ontario) As part of Big Music Fest, the 3-day music festival being held at McLennan Park in Kitchener, details for Breaking Bands, an Ontario wide band search competition dedicated to finding and breaking the hottest emerging talent in the province are now available. Qualifying bands are urged to submit applications at www.sonicbids/breaking-bands Mark Higgins, President... Read More

Surprised Killer Dwarfs Fan Gets VIP Treatment

April 24, 2014 Keith Sharp

Riley Conrad-Rosser received the surprise of a lifetime when he and his mother Kasi attended The Killer Dwarfs concert performance at Hamilton’s Club Absinthe on Friday April 17th. Stricken with cerebral palsy, 16-year old had never attended a rock concert previously when Music Express photographer Ted Van Boort arranged for a special surprise. Not only were Riley and his mom... Read More

MUSIC EXPRESS BOOK REVISITS A GOLDEN ERA

April 23, 2014April 24, 2014 Keith Sharp

The book we’ve been talking about in this online magazine for the past 18 months, will debut on Amazon and in your favorite book store in May when “Music Express – The Rise, Fall and Resurrection Of Canada’s Music Magazine” (Dundurn Press) finally rolls into retail. Those of you who were involved or aware of the Canadian music industry in... Read More

The Metal Queen Has Re-Drawn Her Sword

April 16, 2014April 17, 2014 Keith Sharp

Lee Aaron is starting to feel that bug again. When she hits Ontario for a three concert stint that kicks off at Ottawa’s Brass Monkey venue on Thursday followed by appearances at Toronto’s Rockpile East club Friday and Rockpile West on Saturday, the Vancouver-based former Metal Queen is continuing a coming-out process that she initiated in 2013 when she made... Read More

Year: 2014