June 2005

Domenic Troiano Scholarship Launched

After the recent passing of guitar legend Domenic Troiano, John Harris of the Harris Institute for the Arts and Jim Norris of Canadian Musician magazine have created the Domenic Troiano Guitar Scholarship.

Troiano earned his status as one of greatest guitarists by playing an integral role in The Mandala, Bush, The James Gang and The Guess Who. He has also scored music extensively for film and television and is a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

The scholarship, named in Troiano’s honour, is a $1,500 to be presented annually to a Canadian guitarist who will be pursuing a post-secondary guitar education in Canada or elsewhere. A committee of established Canadian guitarists will review the submissions and select the scholarship winner.

Eligible music programs are any university, college or private institution guitar program. The scholarship funds will be forwarded directly to the chosen institution of the winner.

Application deadline is October 31, 2005. The recipient will be notified by January 1, 2006.

To apply, or to donate funds, visit www.domenictroiano.com, call (416) 367-0162, or e-mail [email protected].

ROCKRGRL Deadline July 1st

The ROCKRGRL Music Conference 2005 recently announced that the deadline for artists/bands showcase applications is July 1st, 2005.

It is a one of a kind US Music Conference for women, and is open to any woman artist from any country. The goal of the conference is to encourage and celebrate women's achievements in the music industry.

Last year’s Music Conference featured Courtney Love, The Gossip, Indigo Girl Amy Ray and Wanda Jackson.

This year’s conference is set to take place November 10-12, 2005 at the 2005 Conference headquarters at Madison Renaissance Hotel in downtown Seattle, WA. With two nights of music showcases that will feature female artists in all styles and two days of innovative panels, works, clinics and trade shows, it is a valuable experience for any female artist.

Showcase applications are available at www.rockrgrl.com/conference. To apply bands must have at least one female member and need to submit: the submission form (available online); one copy of your music on CD; one copy of your bio, photo and press kit; and a $30 (US) non-refundable application fee, all before July 1st, 2005. Out of all the applications, 250 artists and bands will have the chance to showcase there music in front of industry leaders and fans in Seattle.

At this year's conference, the Woman of Valor award banquet will honour special guest, punk legend, Patti Smith. Also, confirmed panelists include: songwriter Sue Ennis, Concrete Blonde's Johnette Napolitano; Jennifer Finch (L7, the Shocker); KIIS-FM (Los Angeles) Music Director Julie Pilat, Derek Sivers of CD Baby, Indiegrrl founder Holly Figueroa, Daisy Rock Girl Guitars founder Tish Ciravolo and many more.

Sponsors for the conference include: Sonicbids.com, KEXP-FM, D'Addario Strings, Daisy Rock, the International Songwriting Competition, ROCKRGRL magazine; Indiegrrl, CD Baby and Seattle Mayor's Office of Music and Film.

For more information, visit: www.rockrgrl.com/conference.

2nd Annual Canadian Guitar Festival

On July 22, the 2nd Annual Canadian Guitar Festival will kick start at the Odessa Fair Grounds in Odessa, ON with a “Virtuosity Meets Song” theme.

Headlining the three-day festival is the Algerian-born French guitarist, Pierre Bensusan, Germany’s Peter Finger, New Zealand’s Andrew White, America’s Dan Crary and the only two-time US Fingerstyle guitar champion, Canada’s Don Ross. On the last day of the festival, July 24, Ross will join the 24 competitors from around the globe on stage while they compete for top honours and over $12,000 in prizes.

The 20-acre Odessa Fair Grounds can accommodate over 5,000 people with its many food vendors, farmers’ markets, camping areas, outdoor hockey rink, children’s play area, indoor plumbing and showers. Courtesy of Brick Breweries, there is a licensed area for drinking. If you’re not too thrilled about camping there are many hotels and B&B’s just 11 kilometers away in Kingston.

For more information, visit www.canadianguitarfestival.com.

The International Society For Music Education And NAMM Are Making Music

Recently, the International Society for Music Education (ISME) and NAMM, the International Music Products Association announced a new partnership between the organizations to develop music education and active participation in music making internationally.

ISME President, Dr. Gary McPherson, ISME Past-President Giacomo Oliva, and NAMM CEO Joe Lamond all hope this partnership will strengthen mutual understanding, foster friendly cooperation and promote collaboration.

Both the ISME and NAMM share many of the same goals. Including the belief that every individual has the right to music education. Also, both organizations work closely with music educators, researchers, students, teachers, and professionals and amateur musicians throughout the world.

"The signing of the agreement provides the impetus for both organizations to undertake more adventurous collaborative projects aimed at promoting music in the education of people of all ages throughout the world," said McPherson. "It also provides a unique opportunity for those of us in ISME to share our knowledge, experiences and expertise with out friends at NAMM. The agreement with NAMM will help ISME build and maintain a worldwide community of music educators characterized by mutual respect and support."

"We are honoured to partner with ISME, an organization of exceptional and respected stature," stated Lamond. "The rational behind this new relationship is to enable us to take advantage of both our organizations' resources, collaboration whenever possible to attain our mutual goal of helping to ensure that children have access to music education. I believe that coordination the efforts of our organizations will yield tangible results for children around the world."

This new agreement, the Memorandum of Understanding, will allow ISME and NAMM to collaborate in the production of advocacy material, share information, assist in disseminating information worldwide and also participe in various activities to promote music making. Both organizations hope together they can move closer to their shared goals, and celebrate the joy of making music.

For more information, visit: www.namm.com, www.isme.org.

John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Brings Music Education to Canada

For the first time, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus will tour Canada, June 16th to July 11th, 2005.

The bus is a non-profit mobile recording and multimedia studio, which features the latest gear, and Apple audio and video solutions. The bus will be making its first stops in Toronto from June 16 to June 30, 2005.

While the bus is in Toronto, the bus will be recording Mos Def, when he is not on the set of 17 Blocks, a feature film being shot in Toronto that he stars in with Bruce Willis.

Teens from area high schools will have a chance to tour the bus and see the newest technology and equipment. In addition, a select group of young people from each school will be given the opportunity to actually come on the Bus, work with the three on board engineers to write an original song, perform and record it. They will also get to create and produce a music video, which they will be able to take home with them on Maxell DVD, all in one day.

There will be public tours in Toronto on Saturday June 18th at the Apple Store in Yorkdale, and on Thursday June 23rd at Steve's Music on Queen St. W.

From Toronto, the bus will travel to Montreal from July 2-6, 2005. It will be parked downtown, and available for public tours during the Montreal Jazz Festival. From the Montreal Jazz Festival the bus begin a five-city tour, accompanying the Black Eyed Peas and Fatty Koo on their concert dates in Quebec City, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and London, ON.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is an offshoot of the nine-year-old John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The visits are being sponsored by Apple Computer and other key sponsors Maxell Corporation and NAMM (the International Music Products Association).

For more information, visit: www.jlsc.com.

The Ladies & Gentlemen Win NXNE/CBC Galaxie Rising Stars Award

The Ladies & Gentlemen were presented with the 5th Annual Galaxie Rising Stars Award for 2005 from the North By Northeast Music and Film Festival (NXNE), in conjunction with CBC's Galaxie Music Network.

The Ladies & Gentlemen is a new solo project from Thomas D'Arcy, formerly known as The Carnations. Thomas D'Arcy wrote, performed, and produced his debut album, Small Sins, which is a sumptuous blend of upbeat and introspective lyrical themes.

Now, The Ladies & Gentlemen are a full-fledged band and D'Arcy received a cheque for $3,000 on Friday June 10, 2005, after his performance during NXNE at The Rivoli in Toronto.

The Galaxie Rising Stars Award is a tradition for NXNE, which seeks to recognize emerging homegrown talent. The award is given to one Canadian artist or band at NXNE, who is thought to be the most likely to succeed amongst all domestic participants at the festival.

A jury of knowledgeable music industry personalities chose D'Arcy for the award from hundreds of performers.

Congratulations to The Ladies & Gentlemen.

For more information, visit: www.nxne.com.

New TV Show For Reggae And Soca Fans

A new Canadian based program In The Zone premiered June 10th at 11 p.m. on CH/Global. Reggae and Soca fans should be thrilled about the 30-minute informative and entertaining program that highlights the blossoming Reggae and Soca scenes in Montreal, Canada, and internationally. In The Zone is the first Montreal broadcast that exclusively reflects Caribbean arts and entertainment.

CH/Global executives were impressed with In The Zone, giving the show the coveted prime time slot right before David Letterman at 11 p.m.

The show is a weekly exposé of various aspects of Reggae and Soca music and culture. Featured In The Show is entertainment news and interviews with popular and legendary artists in the Reggae and Soca scenes. Featured interviews include: Elephant Man, Beenie Man, Barron, Machel Montano, Traffik, Iwer Geroge, Marcia Griffiths and Sugar Minott.

In The Show is shot on location in Canada and the Caribbean and will also feature music videos, and fashion and lifestyle segments reflective of current trends in Montreal and abroad.

Montreal is the prefect city to base In The Zone, as it has been acknowledged as a culturally diverse city for a long time. In addition, Montreal in the recent past has shown a strong desire for accessibility to the Reggae and Soca genres.

In 2004, Montreal hosted Canada's first international reggae festival and saw the 30th anniversary of the Caribbean Carifiesta parade. Also, the city has played host to several international Reggae and Soca bands in sold out venues. Co-producer for In The Zone commented, "There just seemed to be so much momentum, we all knew that it was the right time for In The Zone."

The show was created by Reggae and Soca TV (RASE TV), a production company found by Montrealers Lisa (Lisa J) Joseph and Valentine (Prymtym) Latty. Co-producer Prymtym expressed, "To me it was a natural progression. After working for over 10 years in radio, TV just seems like the next natural step for us."
For more information, visit: www.montrealdancehall.com.

Bruce Cockburn Set To Record Speechless

Bruce Cockburn is getting ready to record his 28th collection of songs, however, for the first time ever Cockburn will be recording an instrumental album called Speechless.

The album is being produced by Colin Linden and Bruce Cockburn and is scheduled to be released in September or October.

Speechless will feature a mix of both new songs and recordings, and also old treasured songs from previous albums.

Instrumental pieces chosen for Speechless include: "Sunwheel Dance", the title track from Sunwheel Dance (1971), "Fox Glove" from 1973's Night Vision, "Mistress of Storms" from The Charity of Night (1996), and "Salt, Sun and Time" from Salt, Sun and Time (1974).

Cockburn was at the North by Northeast Music & Film Festival (NXNE) on Friday, June 10, 2005, at Holiday Inn on King St., where he was interviewed by Nick Jennings. The NXNE Festivals took pride this year by celebrating independent success stories. Besides recording 27 albums, writing hundreds of songs and receiving numerous prestigious awards, Cockburn is also an ambassador for humanitarian causes worldwide. He has traveled all over the world on many fact-finding trips including trip to: Cambodia, Vietnam, Guatemala, Kosovo, Nepal, Nicaragua, Mozambique, and in January 2004 war-torn Baghdad.

Cockburn has had a long and successful career that has lasted over 35 years. During this time he has always remained true to himself, his music, his values, and his views.

He recently presented Alanis Morrisette with her Walk of Fame Award on June 5th, 2005. He also took part in the White Ribbon Concert (Ending Men's Violence Against Women) at the Phoenix Concert Hall in Toronto in June 7th, 2005.

For more information, visit www.truenorthrecords.com.

Zildjian Announces Sweepstakes With Three Grand Prizes

Attention drummers! Zildjian Company has announced they will be running a high-profile marketing campaign and consumer sweepstakes to support the unveiling of their recently released A Zildjian Fast Crashes and Fast Splashes.

Running from August 1, 2005 to January 15, 2006, consumers will have the chance to win the "Matt Sorum A. Zildjian Sweepstakes." From all of the eligible entries submitted there will be three grand prize winners, 25 second prize winners, and 50 third prize winners.

Grand prize winners will win a prize with an average retail vale of $3,600. The prize includes: an all expense paid trip to meet Matt Sorum at Zildjian's Worldwide Headquarters, a six-piece cymbal setup selected from the famous Zildjian Vault, 36 pairs of Matt Sorum's new Artist Series Velvet Revolver Drumstick, $100 worth of Zildjian BASICS apparel and accessories, A. Zildjian exclusive Backstage promotional DVD featuring Matt and Velvet Revolver.

Second prize winners will win a prize valued at $525, including: an A. Zildjian Fast Crash Cymbal, 12 pairs of Matt Sorum's new Artist Series Velvet Revolver Drumsticks, $50 worth of Zildjian BASIC apparel and accessories, and A. Zildjian exclusive Backstage promotional DVD featuring Matt and Velvet Revolver.

Third prize winners will win a prize worth $87, including six pairs of Matt Sorum's new Artist Series Velvet Revolver Drumsticks, and A. Zildjian exclusive Backstage promotional DVD featuring Matt and Velvet Revolver.

Advertising for the sweepstakes will take place throughout the second half of 2005. In order to enter, customers must visit their local participating dealers to enter the contest.

Participating dealers will receive a life size Point of Purchase display complete with the sweepstakes entry forms, a counter card display featuring details of the sweepstakes and entry forms. Also, an in-store poster and laminates on Zildjian lanyards are to be worn by retail staff for the duration of the sweepstakes.

In addition to the sweepstakes, every A Zildjian Fast Crash or Fast Splash sold during the sweepstakes will also come with A Zildjian exclusive Backstage promotional DVD featuring Matt and Velvet Revolver. The DVD is not for sale and gives a "behind the scenes" interview with Matt Sorum, highlights of his drum kit and a glimpse of life on the road with Velvet Revolver.

For more information visit, www.zildjian.com.

Alex Lifeson Sues Over Hotel Fight

Alex Lifeson, guitarist for Canadian band Rush, is suing the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Naples, FL, over a 2003 altercation.

The suit also names the hotel’s security director and three sheriff’s deputies. Lifeson was ringing in the New Year in 2004 with family members when a fight broke out after he and his son, Justin Zivojinovich, got up on a stage during a band’s break. Hotel security was called to remove the pair from the stage using what the suit calls illegal and unjustified force.

The suit maintains that deputies Tasered Zivojinovich repeatedly, while Lifeson received a broken nose during the scuffle. Zivojinovich’s wife Michelle is also named in the suit for being illegally arrested after she complained about the use of force being used to arrest her husband.

Steven Page To Release "The Vanity Project"

Barenaked Ladies lead singer Steven Page is set to release a self-titled album called The Vanity Project.

Warner Music Canada is scheduled to the release the album on June 21, 2005. The Vanity Project showcases Page's collaboration with co-writing partner Stephen Duffy. Eleven songs on the 12-track album are co-composed by Page and Duffy. Page wrote the twelfth song, "So. Cal".

The album features Page's distinctive voice on all 12 tracks, with music preformed by both Page and Duffy. Guest performers include Barenaked Ladies' Kevin Hearn and Page's brother Matthew.

Page and Duffy have been writing together over the course of Barenaked Ladies career. Together they have co-written on many of the band's gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums. Songs include "Jane", "Alternative Girlfriend", and "Call and Answer".

The Vanity Project has been in creation over the past four or five years. The album was written, performed and produced in between Duffy's songwriting and production work, and in Page's spare time from Barenaked Ladies, the album is a potent blend of songs.

For more information visit, www.warnermusic.ca.

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