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Canada’s Walk Of Fame Announces Return Of Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program

Posted March 4, 2015 by Bram Gonshor

Canada’s Walk Of Fame has announced the return of the successful Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program, supported by RBC, as part of Canada’s Walk Of Fame Emerging Artists Programs and Scholarships. Now in its third year, the program calls for submissions from aspiring Canadian musicians (ages 10-35) for a chance at the Grand Prize consisting of private recording studio time, industry mentorship opportunities and a $25,000 cash prize. Six additional winners will also be chosen for a smaller cash prize and performance opportunities of Canada’s Walk Of Fame Events.

All winners will also be invited to participate in a private Music Industry Career Development Information Session with Q&A. The approximate value of the prizing in total is more than $100,000.00 CDN.

“Canada’s Walk of Fame is a celebration of everything that makes our nation great, and the mentorship program ensures that the next generation of artists achieve this greatness,“ said Randy Lennox, President/CEO of Universal Music Canada. “Universal is honoured to be attached to such a wonderful mentorship program with RBC, and we look forward helping the next bumper crop of talented Canadians reach their goals both at home and abroad. As we have seen with last year’s winner NEFE, who signed with Universal Music for the world, the campaign is helping Canadian artists grow into the stars of the future.”

The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2015.

For more information, see the program’s tool kit on the Canada’s Walk of Fame website.

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Calgary To Host The 2016 JUNOS

Posted February 27, 2015 by Bram Gonshor

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (CARAS) has announced that Calgary, Alberta will play host to the 45th annual JUNO Awards and JUNO Week celebrations in 2016. Calgary first hosted to JUNOs in 2008 and after a successful community-based bid led by Tourism Calgary, the city will again welcome Juno Week March 28 – April 3, 2016.

“We’re delighted that the JUNO Awards will be returning to Calgary for the first time in eight years,” said Cindy Ady, CEO of Tourism Calgary. “2016 will be a great year for music in Calgary as we highlight Canada’s best musical talents during JUNO Week, followed by the opening of the highly anticipated National Music Centre later in the year.”

Hosting a major national event like the JUNO Awards falls in line with the Alberta Music Cities Initiative (AMCI) and the Fertile Ground 2014 report, which outlines several recommendations on how music can be positioned as a vehicle for the diversification of Alberta’s economy and a tool that municipalities can use to stimulate economic growth, increase investment, retain youth, and drive tourism.

In 2008, the Juno Awards generated a total economic impact of $11.3 million for the city of Calgary. From 2007 to 2014 the JUNO Awards have created a total economic impact of almost $88 million combined from its hosting cities like Toronto ($14 million), Regina ($10 million) and Calgary.

“To bring the industry to Calgary and let them see the NMC is just too good of an opportunity to have go by,” said Allan Reid, President & CEO of CARAS/The JUNO Awards, when speaking with The Calgary Herald. “It just feels like such a great opportunity to be in Calgary around the time to help them launch that.”

When it is completed, the new 160,000-square-foot facility will house the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, as well as community and education programs.

“I’m thrilled Calgarians will once again be hosting the JUNO Awards,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, who will be in attendance at next month’s JUNO Awards in Hamilton, ON. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Calgary and our music and culture scene.”

The 45^th annual JUNO Awards will be broadcast on CTV from The Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday, April 3, 2016.

Categories: Industry News
Tags: 2016 Juno Awards, Alberta Music Cities Initiative, AMCI, Calgary, Fertile Ground, JUNOs, National Music Centre

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2015 JUNO Award Nominees Announced

Posted January 28, 2015 by Quentin Burgess

Congratulations to the 2015 JUNO Award nominees, which were announced by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) yesterday at a press conference at The Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. The full list of nominees is now available on the JUNOs website. Of the 179 nominees across 41 categories, 89 are receiving the first nomination of their career. Music from the nominees is available in the new JUNO Room on iTunes.

Music Canada is proud to return as the sponsor of the Album of the Year Award category. Nominees in that category include:

Where I Belong Bobby Bazini Universal
Wild Life Hedley Universal
Popular Problems Leonard Cohen Columbia*Sony
No Fixed Address Nickelback Nickelback II Productions*Universal
Serge Fiori Serge Fiori GSI*eOne

And now the nominees for Album of the Year (Sponsored by @Music_Canada): #JUNOS pic.twitter.com/qxsesIIje5

— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) January 27, 2015

The awards will be presented during JUNO Week in Hamilton, which runs March 9^th-15^th, culminating with the JUNO Awards Broadcast, which will air on CTV from Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre. Tickets for the JUNO Awards 2015 are on sale now at Ticketmaster. The JUNOs also announced that Hamilton’s own Arkells will perform at the Broadcast show, joining previously announced performers Hedley, Kiesza, MAGIC!, and Shawn Mendes. A number of events for JUNO Week have also been announced, including JUNO Cup, JUNO Fan Fare, JUNOfest, and JUNO Songwriters’ Circle. Additionally, the JUNO Photography Exhibition and the JUNO Tour of Canadian Art are on now through late April at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

Hamilton is “is positively amped about hosting the 2015 JUNOS,” said Tim Potocic, Chair of the 2015 JUNO Awards Host Committee earlier this year. This will be the first time since 2001 that Hamilton has hosted the awards, which also hosted the awards in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1999. As Potocic notes, the City of Hamilton has embraced the music sector as an economic driver, with the creation of Hamilton Music Strategy and the establishment of the City’s Music and Film Office late last year.

It is estimated that the JUNOs will generate an economic impact of more than $10 million for Hamilton. Each city that has hosted the JUNO Awards has seen an economic impact of more than $10 million, said CARAS President & CEO Allan Reid at a Canadian Heritage Committee earlier this year, with more than $100 million in economic impact seen across Canada over the past 10 years.

Categories: Industry News
Tags: The Arkells, The Juno Awards

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National Music Centre releases Fertile Ground, a new report exploring economic opportunities in Alberta’s music industry

Posted November 27, 2014 by Quentin Burgess

Today, the National Music Centre (NMC) released Fertile Ground: Alberta Music Cities Initiative, a new report on Alberta’s music sector that outlines the economic benefits of a strong provincial music industry. The report identifies the unique opportunity for the development of Alberta’s music sector and provides four key recommendations for further growth.

The NMC commissioned Music Canada to author the report, which was supported by funding from the Scotlyn Foundation. In a release, NMC President and CEO Andrew Mosker said the report was inspired by Music Canada’s success in demonstrating the value of provincial and municipal live music strategies in Ontario.

“Graham and Paul Lessard with the Scotlyn Foundation approached us, eager to do something meaningful for Alberta’s music industry,” said Mosker. “I was very aware of the incredible work Music Canada had done in Ontario, and wondered if the same strategic business approach could work in Alberta.”

The report notes that Alberta is already home to a number of key music assets, and that a strategic initiative to develop the music cluster would create the opportunity for diversification of the Alberta economy.

“This report is about breaking music out of the cultural box, and into the general consciousness of Alberta’s economic leaders, demonstrating its value and ability to attract and retain creative talent, support tourism and inspire investment across a variety of economic sectors, thereby supporting efforts to diversify Alberta’s economy,” said Amy Terrill, VP of Public Affairs at Music Canada and author of the Fertile Ground report.

Music Canada and NMC consulted a variety of stakeholders across Alberta in researching the report, including Alberta Music, tourism agencies, arts and culture organizations, and Alberta Chambers of Commerce. The report found that a strategic music initiative would “closely align with the priorities of numerous agencies and commissions involved in economic development, tourism and related fields, suggesting that it will be well received throughout the province.”

The four key recommendations to government and other sector partners are:

Develop a comprehensive understating of the economic profile of Alberta’s music cluster, with regional breakouts for Calgary and Edmonton as well as other smaller cities as appropriate.
Position music as a key economic sector, a vehicle for the diversification of Alberta’s economy, and a tool that municipalities can use to stimulate economic growth, increase investment, retain youth, and drive tourism.
Develop and implement a strategic plan to build the business capacity of the music industry in Alberta.
Develop and implement a live music strategy for Alberta to improve the live music product offering in Alberta and generate increased music tourism.

To view the full Fertile Ground report, visit the NMC site at www.nmc.ca/amci.

Categories: Industry News, Resources
Tags: Amy Terrill, Andrew Mosker, Fertile Ground, National Music Centre, NMC, Scotlyn Foundation

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IFPI’s ‘Investing in Music’ report shows record labels invest US $4.3 Billion in A&R and marketing

Posted November 25, 2014 by Quentin Burgess

Today, the IFPI, in association with WIN, have released Investing in Music, a new report that highlights the investment that record companies make in artists and repertoire (A&R) and marketing.

The report shows that record companies remain the primary investors in artists, investing 27% of their revenues in A&R and marketing, an increase from 26% in 2011. The report estimates that record companies worldwide have invested more than US$20 Billion in A&R and marketing over the past five years.

“Investing in Music highlights the multi-billion dollar investment in artists made every year by major and independent record labels. It is estimated that the investment in A&R and marketing over the last five years has totalled more than US$20 billion”, said Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI. “That is an impressive measure of the qualities that define the music industry, and which give it its unique value.”

The report also reveals that more than 7,500 artists were signed to major labels’ rosters in 2013, with tens of thousands more signed to independent labels. One in five artists on a labels’ roster is a new signing, which illustrates that fresh talent is the lifeblood of the industry, says the IFPI.

“Most artists who want to make a career from their music still seek a recording deal,” said Alison Wenham, chair of WIN. “They want to be introduced to the best producers, sound engineers and session musicians in the business. They need financial support and professional help to develop marketing and promotional campaigns.”

The report shows that record companies invest a greater proportion of their global revenues into A&R than most other sectors do into research and development (R&D). The music industry’s investment of 16% of revenues in A&R exceeds the R&D investment of industries such as the pharmaceutical and biology (14.4%), software and computing (9.9%), or technology hardware and equipment (7.9%) sectors.

The report includes data from record companies around the world, and features case studies on Ed Sheeran, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lorde, MKTO, Negramaro, Nico & Vinz, Pharrell Williams, and Wei Li-An.

The full report is now available via the IFPI website.

Categories: Industry News, Resources
Tags: A&R, IFPI, Investing in Music, WIN

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Toronto Music Policy Survey – 2014 Mayoral Candidates

Posted October 15, 2014 by Music Canada

Music Canada is a passionate advocate for music and those who create it, identifying ways to strengthen Canada’s music sector.

Our research shows that Toronto has the potential to be the greatest music city in the world. It is the third biggest music market in North America, and is home to a vibrant music scene. This is why Music Canada has also led the 4479 Toronto Music City initiative, and why this survey has been created. Music Canada has surveyed Toronto’s mayoral candidates in order to raise awareness of music issues in Toronto, and to secure music friendly commitments.

We asked Olivia Chow, Doug Ford, and John Tory three questions on key music policies as identified by Music Canada. We have listed their responses alphabetically below, and encourage Torontonians to consider a candidate’s positions on music policy when casting their ballot. Voting day is Monday, October 27, 2014, and Advance Polls are open now through October 19th. For information on how or where to cast your vote, visit the City of Toronto’s Election Services site.

Toronto Music Policy Survey – 2014 Mayoral Candidates

Toronto’s live music venues, concert promoters, and studio owners have all revealed that regulations and red tape at City Hall are creating an impediment to business growth. Based on best practices from Austin, Texas, Music Canada has recommended that the City of Toronto create a Music Office within its Economic Development & Culture Division. With a modest budget, this office would assist Toronto’s music community in navigating city infrastructure and regulations, and in stimulating business development opportunities, all of which will lead to greater investment and employment in the music sector.

We asked:	How will you support the creation of a Toronto Music Office?
Olivia Chow	“As an artist herself, Olivia has a history of championing the arts. Olivia will create the Toronto Music Office, which could be paid for with increased revenue from the billboard tax. Like the Film Office already does to support film in our city, the Music Office will create an even more attractive environment for music and culture in our city.Olivia supports making city services work for people, from small business tax cuts to ensuring that economic development agencies in the city streamline their processes. Austin, Texas is a leader on the music front and we can do the same here in Toronto with a much larger population and pool of artists. This will build on the incredible musical talent in our city, and the music festivals and awards shows that already attract so many to our city.”
Doug Ford	“I believe in the power of the music industry to stimulate our economy, bring jobs to our city and create a vibrant cultural scene. In the past four years we have supported the arts and we have supported Toronto’s music industry. We increased arts funding by $22 million to support arts and culture in Toronto. I am also very proud of our work in partnership with Music Canada to help advance the music industry by travelling to Austin Texas on Toronto’s first music industry business mission. In Austin we signed the world’s first Music Cities Alliance between Toronto and Austin. We have also helped fund a new position at City Hall to liaise with the music industry to help them do business with the City of Toronto. We want to replicate the success we have seen with Toronto’s Film Office and apply that same approach to the Music Industry. I will work with stakeholders like Music Canada to make sure we expand on this and create fully functional Music Office at the City of Toronto.”
John Tory	“John Tory’s “Music City” policy is an important part of his larger Arts and Culture policy which acknowledges the vital contribution the creative sector makes to the city. The creative sector creates the conditions for the city to thrive – it builds our international reputation, employs hundreds of thousands of people, and contributes billions to our GDP. It is important that the city creates the conditions for our creative sector to thrive.In May during Canadian Music Week, John announced his plan to support the growth of the music industry in Toronto. Included in his “Music City” program is the commitment to establish a new stand–‐alone Music Office which will act as a one stop shop for the music community.The City of Toronto can learn from its efficient and collaborative work with the film and television community. The city’s film office has succeeded in improving customer service has helped to increase the level of activity in Toronto in this important creative sector. Based on this success story, and a similar experience in Austin Texas in the music sector, the City of Toronto will benefit from the creation of a Music Office. The Music Office will be established within the Economic Development department and will open in 2015. The Music Office will be expected to accomplish two main goals: reduce red tape and stimulate greater economic activity in the music community. Both of these activities will help to reduce the impediments to business growth currently being faced by the music community in Toronto. Targets will be set and progress measured over a 5 year term. Expected results will include greater activity in the music sector, increased employment and private sector investment, and greater efficiency at City Hall.The Music Office will be supported in its work by the Toronto Music Advisory Council which was established in December 2013 and reports to the Economic Development Committee. John commits to extending the mandate of the Music Advisory Council.”

Tourism is an important part of Toronto’s economy, with almost ten million overnight visitors in 2010, generating over four million in city revenue. The specific impact of music tourism on Toronto’s economy has yet to be measured, though given the concentration of the music industry in the GTA, it could be significant. Working with the music community, the City of Toronto and Tourism Toronto could quantify existing music tourism revenues and develop targeted initiatives to further increase its impact.

We asked:	How will you champion the development of a music tourism strategy for Toronto?
Olivia Chow	“Olivia has committed to seeing the city invest more in the arts, bringing our investment from $22.5 per capita to $25 per capita. With worldclass awards shows like Polaris Music Prize and the MMVAs, and festivals like Pride Toronto and the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival, Toronto is a cultural capital unlike any other. Our commitment to investing in parks and green space in our city will reduce red tape surrounding large events and help support street festivals and open streets initiatives. Through strategies like this, we can continue to make our city a vibrant and dynamic cultural centre.”
Doug Ford	“When we went down to Austin, Texas, last year I saw the power of the music industry first hand. Austin is a City one third the size of Toronto, yet they have created a thriving music industry that generates three times the economic activity of Toronto’s. I learned a lot in Austin, I learned the potential of the music industry to drive tourism and stimulate economic development. I will support Toronto’s music industry to help it thrive. A vibrant cultural scene makes a City more attractive to visitors, investors and businesses alike. I will drive a music tourism plan through the Economic Development Committee to ensure we are doing everything we can at the City of Toronto to attract more music tourism to our city.”
John Tory	“John Tory believes our creative sector is one of our best tourism assets. Addressing the barriers to growth in music activity by establishing a Music Office will, in itself, help to further boost the opportunity to attract music tourists. Festivals, concerts and other music events, staged throughout the city, will position Toronto as a key destination for music tourists. John is also committed to facilitating greater connectivity for tourists to Toronto’s creative hotspots through the SmartTrack line. This will improve the overall tourist experience, as well as benefit Toronto residents who want to access music events. Increasing the audience, whether drawn from afar or here at home, will create greater demand for live performances and therefore, generating more opportunities for artists and musicians to perform.Toronto’s destination marketing organization, Tourism Toronto, should work with the music community in order to further incorporate Toronto’s music story into our tourism marketing.”

Toronto has an active and culturally vibrant live music scene, but red tape at City Hall has made it difficult for new and existing festivals and events to put on live music in Toronto’s parks and squares.

The application process is ambiguous and unclear, and can be overwhelming for people who are unfamiliar with it. If City Council were to place a higher priority on live music there would be a greater impetus to overcome these barriers.

We asked:	How will you support the growth and development of live music in Toronto?
Olivia Chow	“At the beginning of this year the Fords went after Electronic Dance Music (EDM) in our city and tried to prevent any EDM on city property, especially on the Exhibition grounds. Olivia has been a long-time supporter of safe EDM events on public property. As a city councillor, she worked to reverse an ill-conceived ban on raves in public spaces and bring in protocols to ensure the events were safe and fun.The city has a vital role to play in facilitating great music in our city. The Toronto Music Office will lead this effort and we need to make sure that there are places, throughout our city, that can easily serve the needs of music artists. Fort York, for example, has become a musical and event destination in our city. Olivia has pledged to reduce the red tape and process in getting permits on public space.4479 is a great initiative that will help move our city’s cultural sector ever more forward. Olivia looks forward to working with 4479, Music Canada, other partners, and the new Toronto Music Office to make our city even better.”
Doug Ford	“I will support the creation of a music office to make it easier for the music industry to operate in Toronto, especially the live music scene. Toronto already has an amazing live music scene, we have amazing festivals like NXNE. I believe what we need to make Toronto’s live music scene even better is more cohesion between the industry and the City and a concerted effort from the City of Toronto to make it easier to get permits for live music events. In Austin we attended the ACL music festival, a live music events that attracts thousands of visitors and generates over $100 million in economic activity each year. I want to bring a live music festival to match ACL to Toronto, while still supporting our existing music events and helping them grow. I am also committed to exploring the creation of a music industry incubator to support new music industry startups.”
John Tory	“The importance of the music community and the broader creative sector cannot be understated. In addition to the direct economic benefits that result from a vibrant music sector, live music also serves as a magnet for tourism, investment and talent (both inside and outside the creative community). In order to ensure greater communication with the creative community, John will appoint a Creative Economic Advocate within the Mayor’s office who will act as a liaison to the Mayor. This measure will, along with other initiatives, ensure that the creative community and its benefits, including music, are better understood and appreciated by City Council and staff.In regards to presenting music in particular, the establishment of a Music Office will help to eliminate the barriers facing music presenters who wish to program Toronto’s underutilized spaces, and help to stimulate greater activity in the music community through business outreach efforts. A large international festival, for instance, is a missing critical component in Toronto’s music infrastructure. Whether growing an existing festival, or attracting the creation of a new festival, John will support efforts to fill this gap.”

For more information on Toronto’s municipal election, visit the City of Toronto’s Election Services page.

Categories: Advocacy, Industry News, Music Tourism
Tags: Doug Ford, John Tory, Mayoral Survey, Olivia Chow

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National Live Music Association Launches with Naming of Executive Director

Posted October 6, 2014 by Quentin Burgess

Music Canada Live, a new national association that will represent members of the live music community, has announced that Erin Benjamin will become its first Executive Director.

Ms. Benjamin, formerly the Executive Director of both the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA) and the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (now known as Folk Music Ontario), has spent the past 14 years of her career working on behalf of the presenting and touring sector. “It’s incredibly exciting to be a part of the emergence of a new organization at a time when governments and audiences alike are deepening their awareness of the value, impact and role of live music in and on our communities. I look forward to working in partnership with colleagues from across the country, to shine the spotlight on the live sector – here at home, and around the world”.

Music Canada Live is a newly incorporated trade association that will represent business members engaged in the live music industry in Canada (ie. venues, promoters, festivals, agents, award shows, ticketing suppliers). It has been formed with seed funding from its founding members, and with the support of the Government of Ontario’s Music Fund.

“Hundreds of businesses and non-profit corporations are operating across Canada in the live music sector, employing thousands of people, and yet, unlike other segments of the music industry, there is no national association devoted to representing the interests of this large and diverse group,” says Benjamin. “With many issues affecting the live music industry specifically, including, immigration, licensing and funding, Music Canada Live will provide a forum for identifying solutions and advocating on behalf of the industry.”

Music Canada Live is in the formative stages but will seek to attract general members and additional founding members and directors from across the country, big and small, for profit and not-for-profit. In addition to advocacy, through networking events and communications, it will provide greater opportunities for partnership and collaboration among its members.

Founding Members:

The Agency Group

Budweiser Gardens

Canadian Music Week

Collective Concerts

The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall

Evenko

Live Nation

NXNE

Music Canada

Ticketmaster

The Union Ltd. (Union Events)

Erin Benjamin will assume her new responsibilities on Monday, November 10, 2014. A limited number of opportunities exist to join the Founding Members who will be responsible for developing the strategic plan, membership structure, and the organizational priorities for its launch. For further information on becoming a Founding Member or for general information, please contact info@musiccanadalive.ca.

Categories: Industry News
Tags: Erin Benjamin, Music Canada Live

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Nunavut Throat Singer Tanya Tagaq Wins 2014 Polaris Music Prize

Posted September 23, 2014 by Bram Gonshor

On Monday night, the 2014 Polaris Music Prize was awarded to Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq for her album Animism. Tagaq, who received a standing ovation from the gala attendees following her uplifting performance, was awarded a cash prize of $30,000 for her Polaris win. The winner was decided by a panel of selected music critics and announced during the 9th annual gala event at The Carlu in Toronto, hosted by actor Jay Baruchel.

The evening consisted of performances from 6 of the 10 nominees including Mac Demarco, Basia Bulat, Owen Pallett, Jessy Lanza, Shad and winner Tanya Tagaq. Timber Timbre, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan and Win Butler of Arcade Fire were in attendance but did not perform. Drake, who was nominated for Nothing Was The Same was not able to attend the gala due to a scheduled concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with Lil Wayne.

Music Canada is a proud sponsor of the Polaris Music Prize and would like to congratulate Tanya Tagaq on winning this year’s award, as well as all of the nominees for making the 2014 short list. Photos of the gala can be seen below:

: Tanya Tagaq

: Mac Demarco

: Basia Bulat taking a break during a photoshoot backstage

: House band Dwayne Gretzky

: Basia Bulat

: Jessy Lanza

: Shad and Lights perform “Remember To Remember”

: Polaris 2014 Short List Posters

Categories: Industry News
Tags: Arcade Fire, Basia Bulat, Drake., Jessy Lanza, Mac Demarco, Owen Pallett, Polaris Prize, Shad, Tanya Tagaq, Timber Timbre, YAMANTAKA//SONIC TITAN

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Ontario Government launches Live Music Portal and announces recipients of the first year of the Ontario Music Fund

Posted September 19, 2014 by Quentin Burgess

Today, the Hon. Michael Coteau, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, announced the recipients of the first year of the Ontario Music Fund, as well as the official launch of Ontario’s live music portal, http://ontariolivemusic.ca/.

The first year of the Ontario Music Fund, which is administered by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), is providing 108 grants to artists and music organizations that produce, distribute, and promote Canadian music and artists.

“We’re turning up the volume on our diverse and dynamic music industry,” said Minister Coteau. “Through the Ontario Music Fund, we are making important investments to help the industry grow, create jobs and ensure Ontario’s talent thrives here at home.”

Minister Coteau also announced the official launch of Ontario’s live music portal, OntarioLiveMusic.ca, which was developed by Music Canada under contract to the Ontario government. The site is a comprehensive and reliable source for information on live music in Ontario, including concert listings and venue promotions. As part of Ontario’s Live Music Strategy, the portal will promote live music in Ontario to boost concert attendance, visitor spending, and economic impact.

“The Ontario Music Fund has positively changed the landscape for music, and signals that the Government of Ontario agrees that music is a good investment for this province; in fact, that it is one of our competitive advantages,” said Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada. “We commend the Government of Ontario for creating the conditions that encourage the private sector to invest in music in order to create jobs and stimulate growth.”

For more on the Ontario Music Fund, visit http://www.omdc.on.ca/music/the_ontario_music_fund.htm.

Categories: Industry News, Music Tourism
Tags: Graham Henderson, Michael Coteau, Ontario Music Fund, OntarioLiveMusic.ca

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Music Canada’s 2014 Annual General Meeting

Posted September 15, 2014 by Quentin Burgess

The Lula Lounge in Toronto played host to Music Canada’s 2014 Annual General Meeting on September 10^th, with more than 150 representatives from our member labels and industry partners in attendance.

The event began with a State of the Industry conversation between acclaimed record producer Bob Ezrin and Music Canada President Graham Henderson. Much of the discussion focused on the Copyright Board of Canada’s recent decision on Re:Sound’s Tariff 8, which sets appallingly low royalty rates for non-interactive and semi-interactive webcast services. Re:Sound has since filed an application for Judicial Review of the Board’s decision, and a coalition of more than 70 music organizations released a joint statement in support of Re:Sound’s Application for Judicial Review.

Mr. Ezrin spoke passionately of the importance of “one voice” in opposition to the Tariff 8 decision. “We need, somehow, as an industry… as one business… get together quickly and get to Ottawa and fight this tariff…. Because this is truly the beginning of an end.”

I Stand For Music was created as a space for the industry and fans to amplify their voices in opposition to the Tariff 8 decision, and to show their support for recorded music and Canada’s music community.
Following the discussion with Ezrin, Henderson described what’s on the horizon for Music Canada. In addition to the battle over Tariff 8, Henderson revealed plans for Music Canada Live that will soon represent the live music community. “The vision for the association is that is truly national in scope, representing all sizes of live music companies, for profit and not-for-profit, in all corners of the country,” said Henderson. “It’s going to identify common issues, and create a strong, collective voice to ensure the live music community is well represented when decisions are made at all levels of government, and that is unprecedented.”

Henderson also shared that Music Canada is undertaking an economic impact study of Ontario’s live music sector in conjunction with the Ontario Media Development Corporation. “We expect this to be as vital to the debate as our economic impact study of the recording industry has been,” said Henderson.

Henderson also spoke of OntarioLiveMusic.ca, a live music portal developed by Music Canada, under contract with the Ontario government, which profiles Ontario as a destination for music tourism. Music Canada’s work on Toronto as a music city will continue under the 4479 Toronto brand, as well as on the Music City Alliance with Austin, Texas. Henderson also touched on a new partnership with the National Music Centre in Calgary, AB, in the development of a study on leveraging Calgary’s music sector for economic development.

Next, Music Canada’s Amy Terrill moderated a ‘New Directions’ panel, featuring a conversation with old friends in new positions in the industry, including Melanie Hurley from Canada’s Walk of Fame, Allan Reid from the Canadian Academy of Recorded Arts and Sciences (CARAS), Rick Fenton from Music Ontario, and Zaib Shaikh from the City of Toronto.

Allan Reid spoke of CARAS’ expanded emphasis on artist development, noting that as MusiCounts does great work at the very beginnings of a music career, and the JUNOs celebrate them at the pinnacle of their success, CARAS sees room to expand to help artists in the middle ground.

Rick Fenton told the audience that Music Ontario is developing a market access program, as well as creating a physical and virtual resource centre to help “artists affect change with a common voice,” on issues like Tariff 8 and more.

Melanie Hurley shared that as Canada’s Walk of Fame is preparing for its 5^th annual festival later this month, her next priority is to continue to develop partnerships with Toronto and Ontario, and expand the Walk of Fame brand. “Our first initiative is to celebrate, and the second is to inspire future generations,” said Hurley. “And I think that’s where we can really take off, where we can expand and look at doing scholarships and partnerships, and bring in people to talk to the next generation.”

Zaib Shaikh spoke of Toronto’s strength in both economics and culture, and shared information on recent developments at the City of Toronto’s Economic Development & Culture division, which has grown to 30 employees, and will soon add a Music Sector Development officer, whom Shaikh said should be in place by the beginning of October. “I’m looking forward to Toronto being seen as a leader in what we can do with entertainment, and obviously music is a key cornerstone in that,” said Shaikh.

The meeting closed out with a special performance by Shawn Hook, who performed two new songs from his upcoming album, including the new single ‘Million Ways’.

For more photos from the event, see the album on our Facebook page.

Post by Music Canada.

Categories: Industry News
Tags: Bob Ezrin, I Stand For Music, Music Canada, Tariff 8

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Toronto Music Policy Survey – 2014 Mayoral Candidates

Toronto has an active and culturally vibrant live music scene, but red tape at City Hall has made it difficult for new and existing festivals and events to put on live music in Toronto’s parks and squares.

The application process is ambiguous and unclear, and can be overwhelming for people who are unfamiliar with it. If City Council were to place a higher priority on live music there would be a greater impetus to overcome these barriers.