canadian music week
#SPOTTED: BILLY TALENT RECEIVE LEGENDS OF LIVE AWARD AT CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK AND ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF BILLY TALENT CHARITY TRUST
By Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Canadian Music Week is a celebration of some of the best Canada has to offer to the music scene. Earlier today El Mocambo presented the 2018 Live Music Industry Awards and awarded the coveted Legends of Live Award to Mississaugaâs own Billy Talent. Celebrated Canadian Paul Shaffer was the Master of Ceremonies for the event.
Winner of the Medium Festival of the Year 6001-15000 Person Capacity was Torontoâs very own, FIELD TRIP. Major Festival of the Year presented by Sirius XM was awarded to Osheaga Festival. The Licensed to Play Award presented by SOCAN, was presented to historic Queen Street haunt Cameron House. Lastly, the Canadian Music City of the Year Award went to Toronto, as Shaffer said, âit is the mecca of live musicâ, solidifying further how Toronto is deserving of the Award.
With supporting talent Death Valley Girls and Starcrawler, Billy Talent put on an incredible show performing hit Rusted from the Rain with Aaron Solowoniuk on drums playing through his MS, and Jordan Hastings joining the band to play Try Honesty.
Billy Talent took the stage to accept the Legends of Live Award. Lead Singer/Frontman Ben Kowalewicz spoke about their beginnings, and about Bassist Jon Gallantâs recent trip to his sisterâs basement where they found a baggie containing a write-up of their first band, Pezz, and what their goals were going forward and how they were honoured to be playing Canadian Music Week (back in 1996). This led to a speech about how far they have come and how truly honoured they are to receive the Award. Last year’s winner was The Tragically Hip.
In addition to five JUNOs and multi-Platinum-selling Discs, Billy Talent, the year marks their 25th anniversary and also marks the launch of their charity fund, called the Billy Talent Charity Trust. This trust will be donating money to a variety of charities that the band as a collective support, such as the MS Society of Canada and MusiCounts. The trust is headed by Solowoniuk.
Lastly, the band has launched a very limited edition plaque that features the artwork from all their albums, singles, and live album accompanied by a gold record and a photograph of the band, signed by the band. These are on–sale until May 21st, more information on the plaque can be found here: http://billytalentplaques.com and more information on the charity trust can be found here: https://www.billytalentcharitytrust.com/
(Photo credit: Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong)
#SPOTTED: MÎX IN TORONTO AT OPERA HOUSE
Right in time for Canadian Music Week, Toronto gets treated with the sweet vocals of MÎX. Known for his work on Nickelodeon Series How to Rock, the 25-year-old New York Singer/Songwriter has seen a huge rise in profile thanks to his high-rotation hit LIGHTS DOWN LOW, written a couple years ago for his then-fiancĂ©e Emily Cannon. Born Max Schneider, the flashily-dressed Artist hit the stage at Opera House in the City’s east-end before a sold-out crowd, supported by AJR
MÎX did the rounds today doing TV and Radio appearances, starting-off at the Drake Hotel before doing a couple live performances of Lights Down Low, including a ProCon 2018 showcase for radio industry professionals.
For a day he took over the Instagram account of his label, Sony Music Canada! It was just announced today his Single Lights Down Low is certified Platinum in Canada!
We are a huge fan of MÎXÂ and thrilled to see his star continue to rise. More people need to know about that magical instrument of a voice he possesses.
See our Snap:
In case you haven’t checked-out the Orchestral Version of LIGHTS DOWN LOW, brace for goosebumps!
New Single TEAM ft. Noah Cyrus is released tomorrow.
(Photo credit: Sony Music Entertainment/Mr. Will Wong)
#SPOTTED: LEGENDARY SONGWRITER DIANE WARREN IN TORONTO FOR CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK
If you grew up in the ’80s or the ’90s, chances are that at least some of your favourite Songs were penned by her. If you grew-up in the ’00s, there is a high likelihood you were conceived to one of her Tunes. Meet Diane Warren, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning Songwriter. Did I mention she’s got six Oscar nominations under her belt too? She’s been called the most important Songwriter in the World and I’d say that is a damn accurate assessment if there ever were such a thing.
BeyoncĂ©, Mariah, CĂ©line, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Aerosmith,  Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton, Cher, Michael Bolton, Jennifer Lopez, Michael BublĂ© . These are some of the biggest Megastars of all time and at some point in their Careers, they’ve called upon Warren for her melodic expertise.
Warren, who many a time has worked with Canadian Songwriting Legend David Foster, is in town as part of Canadian Music Week festivities taking place throughout Toronto. This year, the likes of Quincy Jones, Nile Rodgers, Tegan & Sara, Ellie Goulding, Magic and several more grace the City. Warren speaks tomorrow at an industry Keynote – one of the Festival’s marquee events and a rare opportunity for us to see her in-person.
The Californian who has the distinction of receiving a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has spent much of her life pouring her heart into her Music. Surprisingly, she is single despite writing some of the most important and romantic Ballads ever to fill our airwaves.  If I Could Turn Back Time (Cher), Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now (Starship), I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing (Aerosmith), How Do I Live (LeAnn Rimes/Trisha Yearwood), Because You Loved Me (CĂ©line Dion), Unbreak My Heart (Toni Braxton), There You’ll Be (Faith Hill). The List is endless and your iPod likely would exceed capacity trying  to store  Warren‘s best work.
Make no mistake, Warren‘s Songs are deeply sentimental, but the Girl is real… like her Publishing Company, Realsongs. A quick perusal of her Twitter Timeline is laced with hilarious expletives. I love a Woman unafraid of calling us her “Bitches”. Â Upon having the great pleasure of Billy and I meeting her, she was amazingly cool and despite having to use the bathroom, she still took a moment to show her appreciation of my support. I LOVE DIANE WARREN. Her Music has come to define many a happy and sad time in my life. There is something defiant yet hopeful about her Music and to this day her Songs still hold relevance and a timelessness to them.
Up next is a Single penned for American Idol Champ Jordin Sparks‘ upcoming Disc. Warren tells me proudly, “Oh, it’s really good!”. We can’t wait!
See our Snap:
If I Could Turn Back Time – Cher
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
Unbreak My Heart – Toni Braxton
I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
#CMW: ELLIE GOULDING, TEGAN AND SARA AND M.I.A. TO HEADLINE 2014 CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK
Now in its 33rd year, Canadian Music Week is set to kick-off in Toronto Tuesday, May 6 through Saturday, May 10, 2014! Â The Festival this year is heavy on talent in the Female Contingent with Tegan and Sara, Neko Case, M.I.A. and Ellie Goulding among those headlining. Â The Lineup will continue to be unveiled in coming weeks but we’re pretty impressed already!
Here in Toronto for Interviews this year are the likes of deadmau5, City and Colour, Bruce Cockburn and recent GRAMMY Winner Nile Rodgers (Get Lucky).
For now, you can buy Tickets on CMW‘s Official Website here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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