Tickets for the PBR Ottawa Classic at Canadian Tire Centre, on-sale Friday, February 16 at 10:00 a.m. EST
Boots and Hearts open submissions for the 2023 Emerging Artist Showcase
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR CANADA’S LARGEST CAMPING AND MUSIC FESTIVAL AUGUST 10-13
GLOBAL SUPERSTARS NICKELBACK, KEITH URBAN AND TIM MCGRAW TO HEADLINE MAIN STAGE AT BURL’S CREEK EVENT GROUNDS
CANADA’S OWN TIM HICKS HEADLINES THE THURSDAY NIGHT KICK-OFF PARTY
Carcass Crush Vancouver
Chicago Brings The Brass To Rama
On Saturday April 8th the band knows as Chicago brought the endless hits to Casino Rama Canada. With over 55 plus years in the business it doesn’t seem like they’re slowing down anytime soon, with over 100 shows this year already planned. With some new additions to the band this year, the main core founding members consisting of Robert Lamb and James Pankow still leading the charge every night with long time member Lee Loughnane on trumpet.
For those who aren’t familiar with the band (those who live under a rock), Chicago is know for not only their brass section to their music but their stunning compositions with brilliant vocalists to boot. Each member of the band almost has a vocal to be heard, majorly Robert Lame and their Canadian boy, Neil Donell. But don’t kid yourself, Chicago brings the brass to rock music when they aren’t serenading us with one of their many famous ballads that millions have used as wedding songs all over the world for decades.
Chicago is best known for their hits “If You Leave Me Know”, “You’re The Inspiration”, “Hard To Say I’m Sorry”, “25 Or 6 To 4” and “Saturday In The Park”, it’s hard to not believe that with 38 albums that they have cracked the code on songwriting. Both Lamb and Pankow in the songwriters hall of fame. Having sold over 100 Million albums world wide, they are one of the best selling groups of all time, and longest touring too. If you haven’t seen them I would recommend doing so, with grace they show you live mastery of music at it’s best. A must see in my opinion for starting musicians wanting to learn how to compose a song.
The Piano Man Rolls The Dice At OLG Stage Fallsview Casino
On Saturday February 25th Billy Joel crossed north of the boarder into Canada for the first time in nearly 10 years, making his stop at Fallsview Casino, Niagara. His performance was the crown jewel on the official celebratory opening of the brand new OLG Stage here in Ontario. The 73 year old New Yorker put on the performance of a lifetime, still holding his title as “The Entertainer”.
Opening the show with “My Life”, the patiently awaited crowd rose to their feet once the first piano key was struck, and the hits followed as the night went on. Still playing like had something to prove, Joel captivated everyone in the room, not a soul left the venue until the balcony lights came on. Prior to showtime it’s always amazing the things you hear as you walk down what I like to call “Storyteller Alley”. Storyteller alley is the bee hive of noise and conversations of the fans in line as they make their way through security. Hearing competitive people telling one another how many times they have seen Billy Joel, some 5, some 15, even hearing 45 times from one gentleman. And for some it being their very first time after over hearing one lady tell the person next to her that she’s been waiting 45 years for this moment, it’s one of those reasons why I think he still tours, for the fans. For some couples it was their first date and for others their first date was at a Billy Joel concert 35 years ago!
Creating the songs that many got married too, Billy doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Soft spoken in-between many songs, Joel has that “lets have a conversation at dinner vibe”. Telling stories and making jokes, everyone was delighted to get that one-on-one chance with him as he made everyone in the audience feel front row. Billy is known for leaving the front row empty and non for sale, and selecting those at the very back, as high as you can get and bringing them front row as he states “these are the real fans”, he really gets it.
You might not find it hard to believe but Joel isn’t the only famous musician in his band, travelling with world class musicians like Carl Fischer, Mark Rivera, David Rosenthal, Andy Cichon, Mike DelGuidice, Chuck Burgi and Crystal Aliefero. Having the chops like Joel does it’s a no brainer that he has a band that could support anyone with their talent and performing capabilities.
Overall Joel won’t be with us forever so if you get the chance to see him, don’t pass it up. Life is too short to not treat yourself or someone you know so head into town, try a new local restaurant, “grab a bottle of white, or a bottle of red” and then make your way to the venue for a night of timeless hits. You’ll be surprised with the smile on your face as you leave the building because he’s just, that, good!
Before the headliner Billy Joel, Sound Check Entertainment was graciously invited to the grand opening ceremony at the brand new 5000 seater venue at Fallsview Casino and Resort, OLG Stage! Starting off the evening was an introduction brought by Devo Brown, following him was President of Niagara Casinos Richard Taylor, Mayor of Niagara Falls Jim Diodati, Chair of the Board of Directors Jim Warren and Jim Madigan COO Mohegan.
Hands down one of the nicest if not the nicest soft seated theatres in Canada, where the farthest seat is only 150ft away, it truly is a stunning work of art. Hard to believe the size of the venue let me tell you, standing on the street outside you wouldn’t know that there was this huge and stunning theatre on the other side of the buildings walls. Fallsview and OLG did an amazing job taking care of us and making sure that our evening was well taken care of, on top of having world class staff that will and some of the best in the industry attend to every need. OLG stage is putting Niagara back on the map with yes of course bringing Billy Joel to town but to follow him in the upcoming months like Bret Michaels of Poison, Pit Bull, Kevin Heart, Dane Cook, Billy Idol, George Thorogood, Cheap Trick, Daughty, Steve Miller Band, John Fogerty, Kane Brown, Rod Stewart, Kenny Loggins and many many others. Who will you be seeing?
Larkin Poe: Blood Is Harmonious
Larkin Poe’s “Blood Harmony” is rich and full of everything you want from sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell. Rock, blues, southern jams and even a power ballad.
Osyron: New Wave Of Prog Metal
These days there is a lot of new music being released and it’s becoming harder to stand above the noise. A new form of metal is also being created, part symphonic, part thrash, part power and a huge dash of NWOBHM thrown in for good measure. Well up on this list is Osyron.
Up Close And Personal
An intimate evening at The Dakota Tavern put on by Warner Music Canada Downton Toronto last night, October 25th 2022. Starting off the night with the extremely talented young woman Avery Anna. Bringing that southern charm all the way from Flagstaff Arizona, USA. With a collection of songs and story telling, it wasn’t long before had grasped everyones attention in the room.
Heartfelt and warm, she captivated the room with her soft playing on the keys to her jaw dropping voice. Playing songs from her big hit Narcissist to “Ring Of Fire” by Johnny Cash who we find out was one of her grandfathers favourites as she used to sing with him a lot. Watch out Nashville, I think Avery is going to be making some big waves here in the future!
Second off to keep the evening going was a gentleman and a comedian when it comes to entertaining the crowd with his one liners, Tyler Braden. Starting his musical journey off later in life, it sure doesn’t appear that way. Feeling as comfortable as a veteran on that stage while singing his heart out. Bold and brass, Brayden has that cool voice with that kicker of power and thrust.
Playing new music to even covering one of his favourite bands the Goo Goo Dolls with their mega hit “Iris” and killing it at that! Learning that Tyler does a lot of writing not only for himself but for others I think we can expect an interesting collaboration here in the future. Tyler has that arena feel but also a sit around the campfire vibe, his journey is just beginning.
For those who did’t know Ireland before, they do now! Fun and energetic was the scope of the evening. As you can tell from the smile on his face, this is what he was meant to do and be, right on stage. Having fun both onstage and off, having worked and done collaborations with various artists from Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, Hardy, Lady A, to Thomas Rhett.
Learning that he will be opening for Shania Twain soon he thought it was appropriate to rock the Queen of country musics songs, doing them with justice I might add. Also adding a big hit to his night with Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter and bringing up Avery Anna to help him sing it! It seems wherever Daniel goes he makes friends.
At such a young age and the accomplishments under his belt, what’s next is what we all want to know. I guess only time will reveal that but I sure that he will be back Toronto!
MUSIC MASH Festival – Set To Roll This Weekend in Westlock, AB
With a terrific summer of music and festivals delivering great times these past few weeks, the inaugural MUSIC MASH FESTIVAL in beautiful community of Westlock, AB promises to put a big exclamation mark on the events calendar for the summer of 2022.
Rock and Roll is exciting again in the hands of Dirty Honey
If you like a cool swagger to your rock, then check out Dirty Honey. Their hard driving sound is infectious and familiar. They remind you of someone you’ve heard before yet roll with their own punch.