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The End of an Era – Keith Sharp and Music Express

Roman Mitz
The End of an Era – Keith Sharp and Music Express
It is with a heavy heart that I pen this tribute to my Manchester-born, Canadian-bred friend Keith Sharp who, after a short illness, passed away peacefully early on the morning of October 18. Keith was co-founder and Editor-In-Chief of Music Express magazine, the only contemporary publication in the history of the Canadian music industry to execute national record retail circulation... Read More

Cummings Celebrates New Album With Extensive North American Tour

Keith Sharp
Cummings Celebrates New Album With Extensive North American Tour
Burton Cummings has announced his A Few Good Moments tour with dates scheduled for October 18th at the Windsor Colosseum, November 1st at River Cree Casino Enoch Alberta, November 3rd at Grey Eagle Casino Calgary, November 8th at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls,  December 28th at Molson Centre Moncton NB, and December 30/31st at Winnipeg’s Regent Centre Casino. Tickets are available through... Read More

Billy Idol Reunion Sparks Platinum Blonde Comeback

Keith Sharp
Billy Idol Reunion Sparks Platinum Blonde Comeback
When Live Nation decided to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Billy Idol’s breakout ‘Rebel Yell’ album with a national tour of Canadian hockey arenas, the promoters had only one band in mind as the ideal supporting act…Toronto’s Platinum Blonde As Idol released that definitive second album 40 years ago which included mega hits like the title track, “Eyes Without A... Read More

Teigen Gayse – Sweetheart Of The Video

Roman Mitz
Teigen Gayse – Sweetheart Of The Video
Video helped the radio star. Contrary to what the Buggles suggest in their hit song “Video Killed The Radio Star”, video certainly played a key role in propelling Teigen Gayse onto country music radio and major streaming services. Specifically, her TikTok posts have racked up over 50 million views, no mean feat for a girl who hails from the picturesque... Read More

Boomstock Sheds New Light on Sobeys Stadium

Keith Sharp
Boomstock Sheds New Light on Sobeys Stadium
Boomstock Rock Festival set for Saturday August 24th is the fourth major event, promoted by the Feldman Agency which has negotiated production rights with York University to stage events at the Keele Street campus. Bachman-Turner Overdrive, England’s UB40, The Box, Chilliwack and Sweet are all set to perform in this gem of a location which comfortably holds between 11,000 and... Read More

Economics The Key For 2024 CNE Talent Selection

Keith Sharp
Economics The Key For 2024 CNE Talent Selection
When you consider that the CNE Bandshell is located less than a couple of hundred metres North East of Live Nation’s Budweiser Stage, you can understand the monumental task that Emily Kempe and her team are faced with when they try to book the entertainment talent for this year’s Canadian National Exhibition August 16th to September 2nd. In that golden... Read More

Maple Music A Distinct Theme For 2024 Kitchener Blues Fest

Keith Sharp
Maple Music A Distinct Theme For 2024 Kitchener Blues Fest
A yearly challenge for Kitchener Blues Festival promoter Claude Cloutier is to create a fresh musical theme yet still retain a focus on authentic blues. This year in particular, Canadian fans will be thrilled by the domestic content Cloutier has assembled. The annual four-day festival which takes over downtown Kitchener August 8th-August 11th will feature a diverse lineup of talent... Read More

New Producer Injects Life Into Honeymoon Suite Release

Keith Sharp
New Producer Injects Life Into Honeymoon Suite Release
For a Canadian band who have virtually remained intact for the past 46 years, Honeymoon Suite’s latest album release, ‘Alive’ sounds remarkably fresh and current. Still active on the concert circuit and receiving strong airplay for their new single, “Tell Me What You Want”. Original members, guitarist Derry Grehan, lead vocalist Johnnie Dee, bassist Gary Lalonde, drummer Dave Betts and the... Read More

Jim Cuddy – The World According to Jim  

Roman Mitz
Jim Cuddy – The World According to Jim  
Jim Cuddy is a national treasure. For 40 years he’s been crafting memorable vignettes with his songwriting partner Greg Keelor in Canada’s much-loved band Blue Rodeo, and they were recently recognized with the prestigious Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame Award. Jim has also carved out quite a niche for himself with a stellar solo career marked by his brand new... Read More

Hill And Kim Combine For Magical Concert

Keith Sharp
Hill And Kim Combine For Magical Concert
Saturday June 1st at Peterborough’s Market Hall venue, two Canadian singer/songwriter icons; Dan Hill and Andy Kim, joined forces on stage for a memorable performance before a capacity crowd who were entertained by the Montreal duo’s songs and storytelling. The result was like a verbal musical tennis match between the pair. “ Okay Andy, you’ve got “Rock Me Gently” but... Read More

Joined At The Hip: Podcast Explores The Legacy Of The Late, Great Gord Downie 

Eric Alper
Joined At The Hip: Podcast Explores The Legacy Of The Late, Great Gord Downie 
You probably know Gord Downie as the greatly missed frontman of Canadian rock legends The Tragically Hip. You may even know that he, along with his bandmates, was made a member of the Order of Canada before his untimely passing from cancer in 2017. But did you know that he also enjoyed a prolific parallel career as a solo artist... Read More

When Ed Calls You Go

Keith Sharp
When Ed Calls You Go
When Ed Sousa planned a one-night charity concert for Ronald McDonald House at the Classic Bowl facility in Mississauga in May 2016, little did he realize that nine years later, McBowl would expand to three nights and would serve as the largest indoor music festival in North America.  His seventh annual event (two years were lost to the COVID virus)... Read More

Under the Covers with Lee Aaron

Roman Mitz
Under the Covers with Lee Aaron
“Songs are like tattoos” – the famous first line of the Joni Mitchell song “Blue” has always resonated deeply with Canadian rocker Lee Aaron. 18 Albums into her career, Lee has written, recorded and produced music achieving gold and multi-platinum sales. Recognized as one of Canada’s top rock vocalists she’s also made forays into jazz, blues, and even opera, receiving numerous... Read More

Dee Lippingwell – Award-winning Photographer succumbs to Cancer

Keith Sharp
Dee Lippingwell – Award-winning Photographer succumbs to Cancer
Music Express lost one of its original contributors with the passing of Dee Lippingwell Thursday May 11th in Vancouver. “I first met Dee in March 1977 after launching Alberta Music Express in October 1976” explained Musi Express publisher Keith Sharp. “I was working as a sports writer for the Calgary Herald and a junior A tier two hockey team, The... Read More

Andy Kim Steps in for Goodwyn for Planned Acoustic Tour

Keith Sharp
Andy Kim Steps in for Goodwyn for Planned Acoustic Tour
Singer/songwriter Dan Hill will experience bittersweet feelings when he launches a mini soft-seater concert tour in May with dates set for Richmond Hill, Meaford, Midland, Markham, Oshawa and Peterborough with fellow singer/songwriter Andy Kim. Hill was supposed to be executing this tour with April Wine lead vocalist, Myles Goodwyn both taking the stage together, playing their songs and telling stories... Read More

Happiness Is – The Steel Horse Gypsies

Roman Mitz
Happiness Is – The Steel Horse Gypsies
Ontario country-rockers The Steel Horse Gypsies have the perfect moniker. You see this band of gypsies is built for resilience because they were fast out of the gate, faltered a little at the clubhouse turn, but have really picked things up as they approach the home stretch.   When singer-guitarist Bill McConnell put the band together they experienced fast success with... Read More