Bringing some much needed California Sunshine today, Teen Pop Band R5 are in Toronto to promote their debut Disc Louder, which hits stores next month. Signed to Hollywood Records, the same Label responsible for Hilary Duff, Demi Lovato, Bridgit Mendler and Selena Gomez & The Scene‘s Music, the Quintet consists of Brothers and Sister; Riker (Lead Vocalist, Bass), Rocky (Lead Vocalist, Guitars), Ross ( Lead Vocalist, Guitar), Rydel (Backing Vocals, Keyboards), in addition to Ellington Ratliff (Backing Vocals, Drums).
R5 visited Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition) earlier today performing outside the Shaw Media Building a free Show as part of their Summer Concert Series as hoards of young Fans looked on in adoration. The Band were super-kind to stop for Photos with Fans behind the barricade, some having waited as early as 6:00 AM. Rocky from the Band was smitten most by my Dog Billy and even held him for a bit before heading back to their Luxury Coach Bus, jokingly taking Billy with him!
The Band performed their latest Single Pass Me By. Check-out the Single below:
Also, watch their Performance of Pass Me By (not Loud, Liza Fromer… love you still though!) on The Morning Show below:
Universal Music Canada releases Louder on Tuesday, September 24, 2013. Pre-order on iTunes here.
See our Snap:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video credit: Universal Music/Shaw Media)
In addition to visiting Toronto this weekend for Fan Expo Canada, Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan set a date with Toronto Mayor Rob Ford earlier today – an Arm Wrestling date, that is. Although the choice is clear whom would win on paper, see for yourself who won the Match:
Hogan arrived in Toronto yesterday where Fans spotted him at Toronto Pearson International Airport, signing Autographs for Fans and Autograph Collectors. He was absolute business today traveling with his Entourage and despite several Hulkamaniacs and Shaw Media Employees crowding for a glimpse of him upon existing his The Morning Show (National Edition) appearance, his Handler did the talking for the 6’7, 14-time Champion. “If you want to see him, go to the Expo“, said his Assistant following closely behind. See Hogan‘s Interview right here. He also just recently celebrated his 60th Birthday!
More on how you can meet Hogan this weekend right here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Among the Stars in Toronto this weekend for Fan Expo Canada are Pop Culture Icon, George Takei and to promote his appearance, the Actor best known for his work in the Television Series Star Trek as Sulu, Co-Hosted Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition). The Social Media-savvy Takei sounded-off on various Current Affairs like imprisoned WikiLeaks Source Bradley Manning‘s Sex Reassignment and Prime Minster Hopeful Justin Trudeau‘s admission of having smoked Marijuana. See his Interview here.
Fans and Shaw Media Employees admired the Star through the Studio window, then crowding around the Main Entrance for Photos with Takei upon exit. A few were fortunate enough to get a Snap with him despite a bit of pushing and shoving.
For more on how you too can meet Takei this weekend at Fan Expo, click here!
We had the honour of meeting the lovely Takei last Spring when he visited the City for the Sakura Ball. More on that here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Platinum-selling Singer/Songwriter Matt Nathanson just released his latest Disc Last of the Great Pretenders last month and he is in Toronto currently to promote it. Known best for his Hit Come on Get Higher, the Massachusetts-born Musician did a Free Concert in front of the Shaw Media Building, also appearing on Global Television‘s The Morning Show earlier. Several Fans were thrilled to meet him after his performance and he was awesome to stop for Photos with them before being rushed back into the Studio for more Promo. Watch his Interview right here.
After having debuted at number 16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart recently with his new Album, Nathanson will be back in town at The Danforth Music Hall on Tuesday, November 5, 2013.
Check-out Nathanson‘s latest Single, Mission Bells below:
Order The Last of the Great Pretenders on iTunes here.
See our Snap:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Universal Music)
Everyone loves The Hoff! The Actor/Singer/Producer who first gained international recognition in the mid-80s in hit TV Series Knight Rider has become an Icon in his own right. He proved his longevity in the late ’80s in what would go on to become yet another Hit in Beach Action-Drama Series Baywatch, it lasting till 2000.
Hasselhoff arrived in Toronto yesterday to partake in this weekend’s Fan Expo at Metro Toronto Convention Centre where Fans will not only have a chance to see him, but also Photo Ops and Autographs! More on his appearance here.
The Hoff promoted his appearance this weekend with Stop-offs at KISS 92.5, CP24 Breakfast, CITY‘s Breakfast Television and Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition). Billy and I met him at the latter where he was amazing to stop for Fan Photos with those waiting outside and also happy Shaw Media Staffers in the Building Lobby. Watch his The Morning Show Interview here.
Hasselhoff next stars in Chauffeur Action-Comedy, Stretch, in theatres March 2014, alongside Chris Pine, Jessica Alba and Patrick Wilson.
See our Snap below:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
If there was one Person I absolutely had to meet this year, without question I would say it is Robin Thicke! For years I’ve enjoyed his Music but no one can deny that this is his year, breaking Airplay records (242.6 million Listeners to be exact) with his Single Blurred Lines, the Song which would define singlehandedly the Summer of 2013.
The R&B Star’s Canadian connections are deeply-rooted. Like his Father, Actor/Singer/Songwriter Alan Thicke, he also holds dual American-Canadian citizenship and the Proud Pop actually accompanied him on his Toronto Press Tour today. Thicke‘s sixth Studio Disc, Blurred Lines released just last week, went on to become his first ever release to reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart. And he is going all out in terms of promotion to ensure we all know how great an Album it is (it really is amazing – read my Review here)!
In addition to visiting CHUM-FM earlier today, Thicke arrived fashionably late with a three-vehicle Entourage to his KISS 92.5 Interview on The Roz & Mocha Show, where both Rogers Media Staffers and Fans awaited with eagerness for his arrival. Looking devastatingly handsome in his Aviators and Blazer, he was absolutely amazing – promising to spend a moment with his Fans on his way out. And he delivered of course – cool, calm and collected! Even his Father was generous to stop and pose for Fans, while younger Brother Carter got a glimpse of what greatness his future could hold, being a part a Family with a firmly-planted place in the World of Entertainment. Did you know that the Father and Son Duo partnered in writing the Track Ain’t No Hat 4 That on the Disc?
In case you missed Thicke, do not fret. His two-day visit to Toronto includes several stop-offs including appearances on CITY‘s Breakfast Television tomorrow, Global Television‘s The Morning Show, an appearance also on CBC‘s Q Radio with Jian Ghomeshi later this week, plus also an intimate performance tonight at an undisclosed location. Basically, he’s running the City this week and we know we want it (!).
Thicke was super-thoughtful to sign a Photo for my Readers. If you want it (I know you want it!), head on over to Mr. Will Wong on Facebook and click “like” on this Post to enter! All are welcome to enter. Double ballots if you share the Post on Facebook! Good luck.
See our Snap below:
Order Blurred Lines on iTunes here!
Thicke headlines the KISS 92.5 WHAM BAM on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Molson Amphitheatre. More details here!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
We love sassy Women and Lisa Rinna has long been on our list of Women we admire. Melrose Place, Days of Our Lives and Celebrity Apprentice are just a few of the Series we have witnessed her fire and she will not be forgotten. The Actress/Author/TV Personality is in town for a couple days co-hosting Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition) and looked amazing today discussing Current Affairs like Cory Monteith‘s recent passing and the Royal Baby. On the matter of making illegal the online posting online of suggestive Photos of others without permission, Rinna told Host Leslie Roberts, “As a Mother of two young Girls, more than ever I’m all for it”. Although not yet available, you can check their Website later for Video.
Later this morning by chance, we spotted her out and about in Yorkville this morning on a walk. Caught off-guard, she was recognized in her sunglasses looking back at Billy and me. “Of course, we can only take a Photo if your Dog is in it too”, she says. Fans of Rinna will know that she’s an avid Dog Lover, being the Owner of beloved Rottweiler, Lola.
Fans and Autograph Collectors were out and about hoping for a glimpse of Rinna earlier today following her The Morning Show appearance. For some reason she had opted for an Underground Exit, leaving in a cab and throwing a couple waves as they pleaded for her to roll down her window. Disappointed, there were several carefully-chosen 8×10s left unsigned as she was driven off. Rinna and her Husband Harry Hamlin are slated to appear again on the Show tomorrow.
See our Snap:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/NBC)
Headlining his first ever Tour, Glee Star Darren Criss hits Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Hall Tonight. The Listen Up Tour features a combination of songs performed on that Series, plus original Music – old and new – as he preps the release of his long-awaited full-length Solo Disc.
The friendly and personable Criss, whom we’ve had the pleasure of meeting on a few occasions in the past (the last time exactly a year ago), made two appearances early this morning including a visit to KISS 92.5 where a large crowd of Fans awaited, followed by a visit to Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), on the same Canadian Network which airs his hit Series.
Spotting me right away, he asks me “Nice seeing you again! Are you still getting those amazing Photos?”. I don’t believe he remembers! Aww! Some even traveled from as far as New York to see their Idol and he was super-thoughtful taking his time to chat with each and every Fan.
See Criss greet his ardent Fans below:
Watch Criss’ Interview below on The Morning Show:
Criss’ Listen Up Tour wraps June 30, 2013 in Maryland.
In-town for their much-hyped The Package Tour, Popular former-Boy Band 98° are in Toronto right now and promoting their latest Disc, 2.0 along with the Testosterone-packed Show in which they share the spotlight with the likes of NKOTB (New Kids on the Block) and Boyz II Men. The Band hits Air Canada Centre tonight, returning once again on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Members Drew Lachey and Jeff Timmons visited CP24 Breakfast, while Frontman Nick Lachey and Justin Jeffre were assigned to Global Television‘s The Morning Show (Toronto Edition) earlier today and I was lucky to get a Snap with the latter two, who were more than nice despite being in a rush. Click on each link to watch their Interviews.
Released on Entertainment One, the Disc includes current Single Microphone, their first in over eleven years.
One of Canada’s favourite Rock Bands, the Barenaked Ladies, are in promotional high gear right now in support of upcoming eleventh Studio Disc, Grinning Streak. All week long the now Quartet, have been doing various appearances around the City including performances at City‘s Breakfast Television, CTV‘s Marilyn Denis Show and today they made their way to Global Television‘s Bloor Street Studios to perform a Live Concert free for Fans, interspersed with interviews for both the Toronto and National Editions of The Morning Show. Drawing a huge Crowd, the Band performed a mix of material – new and old – met with ecstatic reaction from Fans. Watch the Set here!
After recording a series of lengthy interviews to air later, the Barenaked Ladies came out to greet Fans on the street, including one who was celebrating her Birthday today.
Check-out BNL‘s new Single, Boomerang below:
Raisin’ Records releases Grinning Streak on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Click here to pre-order.
See our Snap with Billy below! As you can see, Kevin Hearn (Keyboardist) just loves him!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Audio content: Raisin’ Records)
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