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These
archive versions of The Session are posted as initially published. Deadlines,
contacts and links have not been updated. Please keep this in mind when
using this resource. In some cases, updates can be found in a more recent
edition of The Session.
December
2004
Artist
& Studio News
RELEASES
AND PREMIERES...
- Brad
Johner - Infinity Records Nashville released Brad's first U.S. single,
"Free," to radio and video stations in September and the album, also
named "Free," was in stores in November. Packaging for the U.S.
release differs, including six songs from the original (Canadian) CD
added to reworked versions of hit songs by The Johner Brothers.
It also includes a brand new song slated for single release in both
the U.S. and Canada. In October, Brad shot a new video in Nashville
TN with director Keech Rainwater (drummer for Lonestar). In Canada,
new single "She Looks a Lot Like You" has been released to radio.
Recently appearing in a SaskTel commercial, Brad has been so busy he's
had to turn down offers to act in the Tommy Douglas Story movie
and the weekly Canadian sitcom Corner Gas. A run of sixteen
concerts has been planned this fall and winter, benefiting community
groups, schools, and medical research. Fans can join Johner on
a Carnival Caribbean Cruise March 3-11, 2005. Eight days traveling
from Belize to Costa Rica and Panama with four days of fun at sea!
Since the release of his album in Canada, Johner has garnered an impressive
list of nominations and awards, including 2004 Juno and CCMA nominations,
Favourite Country Artist/Group at the 2004 Canadian Independent Music
Awards, a 2004 SOCAN Songwriting Award, a 2003 WCMA for Outstanding
Country Album, 2003 CCMA nominations for Album of the Year and SOCAN
Song of the Year, and a 2004 Canadian Country Music Award nomination
for "Independent Male Artist"
- Saskatoon's
Kim Fontaine has released "Morning Pages", her first solo effort.
Empathy, dependence, healing, confidence, pieces of Kim's inner self
are exposed and laid bare through the songwriting on this very honest
CD. This rawness of spirit was consciously reflected in the production
process. The musicians and technicians alike were encouraged to
personalize their contribution while using Kim's emotional intent as
their unwavering guide. This overall artistic direction was established
early on by the project's first producer, Shaun Verreault of
Wide Mouth Mason. When life commitments reluctantly drew Shaun
away, established Regina-based producer Dave Taylor confidently
joined in layering his sensibilities into the work. Kim's "Angel" will
be featured on an episode of "Renegade Press". Angel was also
broadcast in Toronto's Massey Hall on December 4 during a "Christmas
with the Salvation Army" event. The night closed with a video
featuring stories from various people whose lives have been touched
by the organization. It was all set and underpinned with Angel.
For more info and audio samples, visit www.kimfontaine.ca
- Stephanie
Thomson, Darlene Tuleta and Melanie Laine have released a
Christmas single to country radio across Canada."A Coloured Christmas
Dream" was written and produced by Lorena Kelly and Stephanie,
and recorded at Touchwood Studios in Regina; proceeds will go to Operation
Christmas Child. For sale locations visit www.stephaniethomson
- Clint
Pelletier released his new CD on October 19 at the Exchange, Regina
- Jay
Hails, formerly of The Drowned, is now playing acoustic and
electric guitars with Better Off Red and singing his heart out.
Go to www.betteroffred.net for new photos.
- Kimbal
Siebert, Saskatoon session guitarist, has recently returned from
a Western Canada tour to support the release of his own solo, instrumental
album, "In My Own Words". Kimbal, whose guitar and bass talents
have been heard with Eileen Laverty, Inshaalha and Carrie
Horachek, held his CD release show on November 26 at The Refinery,
Saskatoon.
- David
j Taylor has embarked on an unusual new recording project with the
assistance of the Sask. Arts Board. It involves recording a 10-song
album live-off-the-floor (with Dave replicating drum, guitar, lead vocal
and harmony vocal tracks and mixing these in real time). This
segment was produced by Regina's Chris Notenboom, recorded at
Transit Studios by Chris Notenboom, David Taylor, Brodie
Seaman and Pat Andrews. The album was then eq'ed and
mastered by Pat Andrews. Next, he records the same 10 song album
as a conventional studio album inspired by the initial live recording
(fully produced in the studio). Recorded at Ze Studios,
it was produced by Chris Notenboom, recorded by Dave Fries, Chris
Notenboom and David Taylor and mixed by Pat Andrews. Finally,
he performs the same 10-song album as a one-man band. This live
performance took place on December 4, after which he presented the debut
of the 10 song conventionally produced album "Taylor Made Version 2.0".
Regina's Todd Bryanton has been capturing video and audio footage
of this project over the past six months and will be taping this live
performance. It is David's hope to make a documentary film about
the idea and execution of this original artistic work in the coming
months.
NEWS...
-
The Canada Council for the Arts has called on Canadians to send
all levels of government a clear message about the positive impact the
arts have on their communities. According to Director John Hobday,
current levels of public funding to the arts are inadequate to sustain
the enormous artistic growth that has taken place in Canada over the
past half-century. Check out www.canadacouncil.ca for more information
and GET INVOLVED. A number of promising resolutions have emerged
from the meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible
for culture and heritage, which was held in Halifax on October 20.
The resolutions included a comment that the ministers "strongly urge
the Government of Canada to renew the Tomorrow Starts Today initiative
and the Historic Places initiative, and to continue the programs
for at least five years at the current or an increased level of investment."
For more information on this meeting, check out the news release at
www.canadianheritage.gc.ca or visit www.ccarts.ca.
- Into
Eternity toured Europe for October with Canadian death metallers
Kataklysm on the "No More Serenity" European Tour 2004.They will join
Amorphis and Beyond the Embrace for a U.S. tour (plus Toronto) in March
2005.
- The
Furleys have a new website with lots of things for you to look at,
listen to, and enjoy, www.thefurleys.ca
- Regina's
Ze Studio opened its doors on August 1 they recently saw tracking
of Dave Taylor's new album, and mixing of Rory Allen's live
recording with the Jordannaires. Contact www.zestudio.ca, zestudio@zestudio.ca
or phone 306-522-2957.
- Announcing
B-Rad's Studio - a new Regina studio using a Pro Tools Mix 3
recording system with outboard gear such as Avalon, Apogee, and PreSonus.
Clients include Skavenjah, Donny Parenteau, Rory Allen and more.Live
location recording available as well in a Pro Tools format (up to 48
tracks). Owner Brad Prosko has 4 years experience in post audio
production; as a guitar player he attended G.I.T (Hollywood, CA), has
his Grade 8 Royal Conservatory, and has performed with some of Sask.'s
top artists. For more info contact Brad, 306-543-5137 or email
prosbrad@sasktel.net.
- Sylvia
Chave, formerly of Prairie Patch, has gone solo as a children's
performer under the name Sparkle Time, and presenting musical
fun classes for kids, "Singing with Sylvia." Touring is planned,
plus recording of her first solo CD.
- Prairie
Roots: a provincial collaborative youth based hip-hop project.
Common Weal Community Arts is partnering with youth-serving organizations
and a range of artists from across Saskatchewan to offer positive, community
building programming based on the hip-hop creative arts between September
2004 and July 2005. Professional Saskatchewan hip-hop artists
will be on-site for hands-on workshops and artistic coaching.
Fields of expertise will vary from the history of hip-hop, music production
and appreciation, to lyric writing, graffiti painting, and break-dancing.
Oin Nicholson will be mentoring future workshop artists, as well as
working with project artists to offer workshops throughout the process,
helping to develop capacity for long-term sustainable programming in
each community. The work done during Prairie Roots will culminate
in a Provincial Community Celebration and CD Release in June/July 2005.
Over the next five months, Regina youth who are interested in the hip-hop
movement will have the opportunity to work with professional Saskatchewan
artists, learn about their craft, produce art and present it to the
public. For more information contact Oin Nicholson, Prairie Roots
Project Coordinator, at 306-530-3778, 306-780-9442 or cp@commonweal-arts.com
- 2005
Juno Awards weekend, April 1-3, 2005, Winnipeg, MB: The eight sales-based
categories will still accept submissions until January 10, 2005; submission
forms are online at www.junoawards.ca. New material released between
September 1, 2003 and November 17, 2004 could be eligible for the 2005
Juno Awards.
-
Congratulations to Joël Fafard, who showcased at Nova Scotia
Music Week/Rendezvous Folk (Folk Alliance Canada) 2004 showcase, in
Halifax, NS.
- Andrea
Menard will be joining the Huron Carole lineup this year, travelling
coast to coast with Tom Jackson and company from November 21
to December 12.
-
Corner Gas, CTV's immensely popular sitcom featuring Brent Butt, used
two of Marny Duncan-Cary's songs in a November 23 episode.
CBC Radio also featured her song, "Who's That Man" in their national
Remembrance Day special.
- Michelle
Boudreau has been busy finishing the recording of a new album and
playing shows...including a live performance on "The Round Up" on CBC
Radio One.
- Chester
Knight's video for "Love Fades Away" won an American Indian Film
Institute Award for Best Music Video at a ceremony held in San Francisco
in November.
- Stephanie
Thomson has joined the North American touring cast of ABBA tribute
"Bjorn Again". Stephanie auditioned a few ABBA songs at the North
American office, located in Calgary. Located in Canada but touring
and producing projects across North America, and most recently Europe,
Annerin Productions has earned the deserving reputation of hitting the
mark with unique "crowd pleasing" projects. Stephanie's first
performance with the show was November 5 in Reno, NV and the show takes
her to San Diego, CA for New Year's Eve. See www.bjornagain.com
or www.annerin.com for more details. Stephanie and Brenda Milligan-Davis,
aka Paige Productions and BK Promotions, have won
two more bids for entertaining Canadian troops overseas. The first,
titled "Girls Flight Out with A Few Good Men" travels to Israel and
Egypt December 2-18 and will take along, among others, Stephanie and
Brenda, Theresa Sokyrka, Sue Medley, Jamie Warren, Polly-Esther,
Stephanie Cadman and Jay Buettner (music director). The
second one, "Seeing Santa for Christmas" goes to the North Pole December
8-17 and will take The Wilkinsons, Men Without Shame, and Kelly
Trottier. Stephanie and Brenda state, "Previous tours left us
with a lasting impression. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate
to have been involved directly in what CFPSA does for our deployed troops,
often with little recognition. We have gained a new respect for
the work our CF members perform in all corners of the world, 365 days
a year and 24 hours a day. Considering all they do for us, bringing
them a little piece of home and a bit of a distraction seems the least
we can do for them."
- Big
Trunk Productions are pleased to report that SCN has provided development
funding to turn Brenda Baker's "The Old Elephant's Christmas"
into a TV show. Brenda did performance coaching with three young
bands over the summer and found the interaction with such talented young
people to be completely inspiring. In September she took a three-day
workshop with Toronto performance coach Art Nefsky and found her time
there to be extremely useful.
- Melanie
Charpentier (2004 winner of SCMA Rising Star Award, and nominee
for Single of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer
of the Year) recently had the experience of a lifetime when she was
able to sing with Shania Twain during her 'Up' concert in Saskatoon.
Melanie has been performing at shows and competitions both in and out
of province. For more, visit www.melaniecharpentier.com.
- Jam
Lode Entertainment notes.Marty Grambo wowed the crowd at his CCMA
showcase. The band was tight and Marty's vocals were impeccable,
and there was an obvious buzz in the room once Grambo left the stage.
Watch for his first release early in 2005. Melanie Laine has
heard the final mixes of her first full-length album, produced by Saskatchewan's
renowned Bart McKay, with a little spice thrown in by Kevin
Churko. Melanie is looking at a January 2005 release, hopefully
with video support, and there is no doubt she will enjoy a very successful
year on the wave of her debut album.
- Analynn
Riley, singer & harpist, stars as Annie in Irving Berlin's "Annie
Get Your Gun", presented by Yorkton Community Theatre January 27 - 31,
Anne Portnuff Theatre, Yorkton. For tickets contact the box office,
306-783-5751.
- stereotrap
busy with nominations and national award.the Dalmeny-based Christian
rock/alternative band was named Young Performer of the Year for their
debut album, "refusing", at the Maja Awards in Toronto ON on
September 18. The Maja Awards promote and encourage Canadian Christian
music and honour excellence in the industry. To be eligible for
the Young Performer award, applicants must be under age 21. stereotrap
musicians were 18 to 21 when their CD was released in October, 2003.
"Recognition at this level is a big honour," said Colin Richet, lead
singer. "We're very happy to have won this award and it encourages
us to keep doing what we do." "refusing" was nominated
for Outstanding Christian Recording at the 2004 Western Canadian Music
Awards. Additionally, stereotrap was a finalist in three Canadian
Gospel Music Association Covenant Awards categories: Modern Rock/Alternative
Album of the Year, Group of the Year and Modern Rock/Alternative
Song of the Year, for which they won. The band performed at the
awards gala, October 16, Toronto ON. The Covenant Awards are presented
annually by the Canadian Gospel Music Association and are recognized
as Canada's Christian music Industry Standard Awards. Competition
entries are judged by Christian music professionals from across Canada.
The band was also nominated for Hard Music Album of the Year at the
2004 Vibe Awards, also in Toronto. stereotrap is composed of Colin
Richet, (20) lead vocals and guitar; Cas Bitner (19) bass; Kelly Bitner
(20) background vocals and drums; and Jody Lepp (22) guitar. The
band has been together for more than six years and has performed across
the prairies. stereotrap's CD is marketed by CMC Distribution
to Christian book and music stores across Canada. For more, see
www.ste
-
The 3rd Annual Freddie Pelletier Guitar Camp this past August
proved to be another successful event. Plans are in place for
2005 with bass guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle classes being added.
For more information on the camp: www.freddiepelletier.com or call 306-749-2498.
- The
2005 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards will be held in Regina, March
18-20. Awards show host is Tom Jackson. The host hotel will
be the Regina Inn and the S.C.M.A. Awards Show will be at Darke Hall.
For general inquiries or ticket reservations, email scma2005awards.
register@sasktel.net. If you would like to volunteer for the event,
contact Regina chapter president Bev Hallett at 306-545-0008 (evenings),
or email bev.rcma@sasktel.net.
- Ultimate
Power Duo continue to record and play live, and have been invited
to Nerve Festival of Guns, Vancouver BC and SXSW, Austin TX as the result
of their WCMA showcase.
- OSAC
welcomes new staff Kevin Korchinski, Performing Arts Coordinator;
Robert Huber, Administrative Assistant; and Marianne Woods,
Performing Arts/Administrative Coordinator.
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