FBF: Remembering That First Taste of Live Canadian Music

Great Dark Wonder. 

As we wrapped up my post-concert review for the Joel and Bill Plaskett concert in Hamilton, ON, recently, we linked to a previous piece written illustrating how Joel Plaskett was indeed the first Canadian artist we had the pleasure to see live on Canadian soil.  But Joel was not necessarily our first live Canadian act.  With the fantastic performance provided by Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies back on St. Patrick’s Day, it occurred to me that it was his former band, Great Big Sea, who were the first Canadian band that we saw live here in the USA.

Canada’s 2017 Juno Awards Winners Revealed!

By SHAKIEL MAHJOURI. ET Canada.

The 2017 Juno Awards are underway and Canada’s biggest music stars are on hand to be honoured for their musical contributions over the past year.

A number of awards were presented at a special gala held on Saturday night, with seven key awards to be presented during Sunday night’s ceremony.

Follow along below as we update you on the winners as they are announced throughout the night.

Artist of the Year:

WINNER: Leonard Cohen (Posthumously)
Alessia Cara
Drake
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd

Album of the Year:

WINNER: “You Want It Darker”,

Mabou natives named Canada 150 Ambassadors

The Casket. Antigonish. By Corey LeBlanc. 

Jimmy and Heather Rankin can sure keep a secret.

“When they approached us, they insisted that we keep it quiet until a certain date,” Heather told the Casket, when talking about their selection as Canada 150 Ambassadors.

“We saw each other a couple times [since we were selected], but he didn’t say anything and I didn’t say anything.”

She said she found out about her brother’s selection online.

“It’s kind of neat,” Heather added, with a laugh.

The brother-sister duo – members of the renowned Rankin Family – are amongst an eclectic group of,

JUNO Spotlight: Heather Rankin

By Andre Gagne. Ottawa Life.

What is it like growing up in one of Canada’s most beloved musical families? Well, if you’re Heather Rankin you sum things up nicely with the word “chaotic”.

Born the eleventh child in an already musical household, she looks back now on a childhood when the Rankin Family was just, well, the Rankin family. Then, there was no touring, CDs or awards but there was still music. Lots of music. Her life was one of songs, melodic tradition and filled with pianos and fiddles;