The Joy of “Discoveries”
I was going through some old ticket stubs the other day to realize how easy – and affordable – it used to be to see a favourite artist. The thought of forking out $225 to catch a faint glimpse of ...
Elvis Bossa Nova CD Release
Elvis Bossa Nova are a five-man outfit based in Toronto. They released their critically-acclaimed debut CD “Hi, I’m Elvis Bossa Nova” to a packed Lula Lounge on Elvis Presley’s 75th birthday, January 8, 2010. Corin Raymond and The Sundowners opened ...
Paul Quarrington remembered
When I think about Paul Quarrington, I think of water. He fished, he swam, and he did crazy polar dips in January in Lake Ontario. He loved hockey and would nab time on downtown rinks after midnight. And sometimes, he ...
Ukulele revival is about community
The Corktown Ukulele Jam, of which your author is the co-founder and co-host, along with my pal and partner Steve McNie, celebrated our one-year anniversary recently at Toronto’s historic Dominion on Queen beer parlour. Roots Music Canada partner Andy Frank ...
Why copyright infringement isn’t theft
Many people talk about copyright infringement as if it were literally a type of theft. “Downloading a song without the permission of the copyright holder is stealing, plain and simple” you might hear. Referring to unauthorized copying as theft is ...
13th Annual Maple Blues Awards
The 13th annual Maple Blues Awards took place at a brand new venue, Koerner Hall at the Royal Conservatory of Music. An estimated 1,000 folks watched and listened to performances by 5-time winners Monkey Junk, Paul Reddick, Harry Manx, Suzie ...
Remembering Kate McGarrigle
(from Folk Roots/Folk Branches ) I’ve been thinking a lot about Kate McGarrigle since waking up Tuesday morning to the sad news that my old friend and colleague passed away Monday night after fighting cancer so bravely over the past ...
Paul Quarrington has died
Today is another sad one for the arts in Canada. Paul Quarrington, award-winning author, beloved songwriter, performer, member of Pork Belly Futures and a dear friend to many in the music community, has died. Paul’s website reports: His brave battle ...
Hall of Fame for Rush, Charlebois
The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame/Le Panthéon des auteurs et compositeurs canadiens (CSHF/PACC) yesterday revealed their 2010 inductees, which include 11 influential songwriters, 16 timeless songs and two Legacy Award recipients. It was also announced today that the CSHF/PACC and ...
Sylvia Tyson in conversation
Canadian folk legend Sylvia Tyson speaks with Roots Music Canada about the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, its new home, 2010 inductees Rush and Robert Charlebois, and the passing of Kate McGarrigle. Of course we at Roots Music Canada cherish ...