JUNOS By David Friend
After a blockbuster year of global hits, some of Canada's biggest artists are expected to be recognized back home when the Juno Award nominations are announced later today.
International chart-toppers Drake, Justin Bieber and the Weeknd are likely to dominate the nominations, alongside a lineup of breakthrough newcomers. The nominees will be announced at 11 a.m. ET.
Last year was a record-breaker for Canadian performers as a handful of homegrown musicians traded spots in the upper echelons of the Billboard Hot 100.
Pop singers Alessia Cara of Brampton, Ont., and Shawn Mendes of Pickering, Ont., are two other likely contenders for the top Juno categories.
Carly Rae Jepsen has also gained widespread critical acclaim for her second album ``E-mo-tion,'' making her a potential contender too.
The Juno Awards will air live on CTV on April 3.
(The Canadian Press)
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DIERKS BENTLEY
Dierks Bentley figured he was invited to New York to read the nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards because he's co-hosting the show. It didn't occur to him that the academy might nominate him until his name came up for male vocalist of the year. Bentley says it's going to be tough to win that award and he's honoured just to be included. Eric Church and Chris Stapleton lead the nominations with five each. Bentley will co-host with Luke Bryan, who has hosted before. Bentley says he loves Bryan and they both like to have a few drinks, ``so what could go wrong?'' The ACMs will be April 3rd in Las Vegas and shown live on CBS.
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RUSSELL SIMMONS
Russell Simmons is not just promising to send water to the residents of Flint, Michigan. He's actually going door to door to deliver it. The Flint Journal reports Simmons has been personally delivering water to Flint households on behalf of AQUAhydrate, a bottled water company partly owned by Sean ``Diddy'' Combs and Mark Wahlberg. Flint's water supply has had high levels of lead since officials started drawing water from the Flint River in a cost-cutting measure in 2014. Simmons says he has a lot of love for Flint and fondly recalls the reception Flint gave Run-DMC decades ago.
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MERLE HAGGARD
Merle Haggard says he's ``really lucky to be alive.'' Haggard tells Rolling Stone magazine he was coughing all the time while travelling last year and blamed it on old buildings.
He was diagnosed with double pneumonia. Haggard says when he asked a doctor what was the pain going from his belly button to his back, the doctor told him, ``It was death.'' Haggard, who is 78, spent 11 days in a hospital and more time recovering in another facility. He feels good enough to perform again, starting tonight in Riverside, California. Haggard says he will appear different onstage because he's lost a lot of weight, but his wife has fed him well.
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TANYA TUCKER
What was supposed to be a routine chemical peel on Tanya Tucker's face nearly burned her to disfigurement. Tucker tells Dan Rather on ``The Big Interview'' she was getting the peel in 2008 when the laser made contact with an oxygen supply. She says the only thing she remembers hearing is, ``Get the ambulance, we've got a fire.'' She says she suffered second- and third-degree burns on her face and felt flames going up her nose. Tucker's interview runs tonight on A-X-S T-V.
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PANIC AT THE DISCO
David Bowie knocking Adele off the top spot on the Billboard album chart makes complete sense. Panic At The Disco knocking Bowie off the top spot -- well, that's a surprise even to Panic's Brendon Urie. He says he's not worthy to be mentioned in the same sentence as Bowie. ``Death of a Bachelor'' is number on this week, moving 190-thousand units. Urie says he's glad his album was able to pop into the top spot, even if it was at the expense of Bowie. He says Bowie has had so many hits and it's not like Panic will hurt Bowie's career by any means.
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ELLE KING
Elle King had a meta moment at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Friday. She visited a display that featured the red kimono dress she wore when she performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in June. King says she was ``super choked up'' to see her dress there. It's part of a display about the evolution of rock and how it impacts the current generation of musicians.
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SUPER BOWL CONCERTS
Hunter Hayes, Fall Out Boy and Skrillex will be joining the festivities surrounding the Super Bowl. They will each hold free concerts leading up to the Super Bowl in San Francisco, with Hayes on Thursday, Fall Out Boy on Friday and Skrillex on Saturday. The concerts will be streamed live at http://www.go90sanfrancisco.com. Other acts who will perform concerts leading up to the Super Bowl include the Dave Matthews Band, Alicia Keys, OneRepublic, The Band Perry, Avicii, Elle King, Travis Scott, Metallica and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
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(Associated Press)
MIDNIGHT SHINE SIGNS WITH UNITED TALENT AGENCY
Northern Ontario rockers Midnight Shine arepleased to announce they’ll be working with agent Ralph James and United Talent Agency out of Toronto to help put their music on the map.
Hailing from the James Bay region, Midnight Shine is turning heads with a sound that seamlessly mixes roots, classic and modern rock. When Ralph James first heard the band’s single Since You Been Gone from their debut self-titled album, he knew they had something special. “I heard one track and thought, if these guys play live as well as they sound on the recording, I think we’re on to something here,” says James. “And they do.”
Adrian Sutherland from Midnight Shine says the band is looking forward to developing the relationship, and seeing what can be done together. “We know that a music career takes a team effort, and we couldn’t be happier with Ralph James and United Talent being on our team.”
Also on the team is RoseAnna Schick of RAS Creative in Winnipeg, taking on the role of Midnight Shine’s manager. Schick began working as the band’s publicist in 2013, and their working relationship evolved organically to what it is today. “The guys in Midnight Shine have a ton of talent, dedication and determination. I can’t wait to see how far they can go,” says Schick.
Midnight Shine released sophomore album Northern Manin 2014at Toronto’s Hard Rock Café, kicking off with a national television appearance on Canada AM. Now, the band is ready to take their sound coast-to-coast.
ABOUT NORTHERN MAN
The album Northern Man was recorded at Noble Street Studios in Toronto. The title track is a tribute to the band’s home and culture, driven by a catchy rock beat, heavy bass, and traces of pow wow stylings. It will be released this spring as the band’s next radio single.
Listen to Northern Man here:
http://midnightshine.bandcamp.com/track/northern-man
Theirvery first single Since You Been Gone, from debut album Midnight Shine, received spins across the nation, reaching #170 on the Rock Charts. It’s in rotation on CBC Radio’s rock music stream. Renowned music journalist Alan Cross selected Since You Been Gone as one of his favourite new tracks in April 2014, citing the band’s “rootsy rock-pop.”
Listen to Since You Been Gone here:
http://midnightshine.bandcamp.com/track/since-you-been-gone
ABOUT MIDNIGHT SHINE
Not many bands play their very first show opening for legendary Canadian rockers. Then again, not many bands are quite like Midnight Shine.
When Trooper invited charismatic singer/songwriter Adrian Sutherland to open their Timmins concert in 2011, there was one condition: he perform with a band. So Sutherland pulled together Zach Tomatuk (guitar), Stan Louttit (bass), and George Gillies (drums) – a winning combination of energy and experience, resulting in an impressive and compelling sonic identity.
The Northern Ontario foursome has been developing a sound ever since, that seamlessly blends roots, classic and modern rock, and is anchored by captivating vocals and eloquent lyrics. A strong sense of melody is at the heart of Midnight Shine's material, attributable to Sutherland's background as a solo artist used to crafting songs on acoustic guitar.
Setting Midnight Shine apart from other rock bands is the depth of Sutherland's lyrical exploration of his First Nations’ culture. He hails from the remote community of Attawapiskat, and his experiences are reflected in his songs – making them all the more meaningful. "There are good stories to be told from Attawapiskat. I hope we're one of them," says Sutherland.
Indeed they are. In fact, the name Midnight Shine is highly appropriate, given that the band and their music shine a bright and positive light on places often depicted as dark and troubled.
They’re a “must-hear” band you’ll take a real shine to.