I can hardly believe this is already my second Christmas Eve at the helm of Roots Music Canada.
Way back in 2016, when I first conceived of trying to take over the site, I wondered if I was up to the task. Publishing regularly is a huge commitment no matter what the topic, and there’s no way I could do it all myself. Could I recruit enough volunteers to help? Did I have enough time to deal with all the editing? Was I even skilled enough in computing to handle the technical side of running a web site and all the possible glitches that would come up along the way? Would people be willing to support the site financially? Would people even read it? Would the whole thing just be unsustainable?
But as the months ticked by, mainstream media become less and less accessible to independent folk, roots and world musicians; artists struggled to be heard on social media; and fans were left with few places to turn to find new music. Suddenly carrying on WITHOUT Roots Music Canada seemed even more daunting than trying to relaunch it.
So here I am.
Three years later, there’s no doubt that Roots Music Canada is a huge commitment, but it has also been rewarding in ways that I never could’ve imagined.
Were it not for this site, I might never have become friends with Elizabeth Szekeres or gotten to know Paul Corby so much better than I did back in my publicity days – and I definitely never could’ve predicted the amazing four-day slumber party we had in the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in Montreal while covering the Folk Alliance International conference.
I would never have gotten to know Ted Ferris or Leslie Alexander or, most recently, Sean Leahy, who joined our team of writers this year – all of whom are incredibly great people and music fans.
I may never have had a reason to sit down with Jan Hall and listen to her inspiring life story.
I may never have discovered Daniel Bellegarde, Danielle Knibbe, or so many other amazing emerging artists and unique musical projects.
I may never have made it to the Trout Forest Music Festival or the Moose n’ Fiddle Festival in Ear Falls, ON, both of them little gems of festivals that take some effort to get to, but boy is it ever worth it.
And I certainly would not have had the pleasure of hearing from so many of you how much this site means to you.
I could go on and on about all of the wonderful experiences of music and friendship this project has presented me with, but it suffices to say that, as I’ve become less involved in the folk and roots scene in other ways, Roots Music Canada has kept me connected to this community in ways that are truly rewarding and fulfilling.
Those of you who know me personally know that my family and I haven’t had the easiest of years, but having this project as a constant in my life has brought me much joy.
I feel so buoyed by the support of everyone that has made this site what it is. If you read us, you are the reason we do what we do. If you write for us, you are the heart and soul of the site. If you support us financially, you’re the reason we are able to do this day after day. Without you, Roots Music Canada wouldn’t exist. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a happy holiday season all round.
Roll credits!
The founders: Andy Frank and David Newland
The funders
- Adrian Gross
- Andy Frank
- Arthur McGregor
- Barrie Martin
- Bernie Finkelstein
- Beverly Kreller / SPEAK Music
- Bill Garrett
- Bill Werthmann
- Catherine A Gray
- Ben Sures
- Chris White
- Christa Couture
- Claire Ness
- D John Ellison
- David Frisch
- David Newland
- David Storey
- Doris Folkens
- Duncan Fremlin
- Elizabeth Szekeres
- Eve Goldberg
- Geoff Kulawick
- George Brown
- Howard Gladstone
- Jamie Oppenheimer
- Jane Harbury
- Jason Schneider
- Jay Rutherford
- Joanna Mills
- Judi Jaeger
- Bottom Line Productions
- Katherine Wheatley
- kele fleming
- Keri Latimer
- Kimberly Sinclair / Spincount
- Lenka Lichtenberg
- Lindsay Hancock
- Lisa Patterson
- Lynne Epps
- Mark Watson
- Mary Milne
- Michael McCormick
- Michelle Fortier Publicity Trespass Music
- Pascal Gemme
- Paul Gervan
- Paul Jorgenson
- Paula Danylevich
- Pharis Romero
- Rachel Barreca
- Richard Flohil
- Rick Fines
- Robert Kitching
- Rod Paul
- Sandra Smith
- Sarah French
- Shari Ulrich
- Stephen Peter Edge
- Susan Fonseca
- Suzie Vinnick
- Taivi
- Tannis Slimmon
- Tea Enjoyer
- Terry McManus
- The Bombadils
- Tom Coxworth
- Toronto Blues Society
- William-Grit Laskin
The mascott (and titular editor): Gordy the Moose
The writers (past and present):
- Gary 17
- Julian Abraham
- Leslie Alexander
- Meaghan Brackenbury
- Zoe Buscho
- Shari Campbell
- Liv Cazzola
- Ashley Condon
- Brooklyn Connolly
- Alison Corbett
- Paul Corby
- Val Cormier
- Tom Coxworth
- Nicole Lisa Craig
- Levi Cuss
- Annette Donaghy
- Katerina Dulay
- Jane Eamon
- Christophe Elie
- Lindsay Ferguson
- Ted Ferris
- Richard Flohil
- Doris Folkens
- Michelle Footz
- Josh Forbes
- Howard Gladstone
- Troy Greencorn
- John Wort Hannam
- Deborah Holland
- KC Hoard
- Jennifer Ives
- Meral Mohammad Jamal
- Sean Leahy
- Bob LeDrew
- Lenka Lichtenberg
- Sarah MacDonald
- Mike McCormick
- Arthur McGregor
- Linda McRae
- Bayleigh Marelj
- Jim Marino
- Bob Mersereau
- Joanna Mills
- Keith and Heather Nicol
- Jamie Oppenheimer
- Leonard Poole
- Mike Regenstreif
- Penny Rose
- Sylvia Siemens
- Elizabeth Szekeres
- Ian Tamblyn
- Lauren Trelford
- Broose Tulloch
- Meaghan Walsh
- Yael Wand
- Lillian Wauthier
- Sarah Williscraft
- Jenny Whiteley
The designer: Amanda Rheaume
The developer: Jessica Wong
The Gordy the Moose illustrator and logo creator: Michael Hepher
Thank you so much Heather for the kind holiday wishes. I’m so thrilled to be a part of the Roots Music Canada Family and I’m so grateful for the incredible support RMC has given myself and my clients. I also feel very honoured to have been chosen to write reviews for the prestigious Mariposa and Summerfolk festivals this past summer. It truly was a blast and an amazing, memorable experience. Congratulations on the success of Roots Music Canada. You have done an outstanding job at making it all come alive again and I wish you all the best for continued success and joy in the music for many more years to come! Bev xo