My guest for this month’s column is Thunder Bay country artist Tim Albertson. Over the last few years, he’s won over new country fans with his energetic live shows and singles like “A Bar Like This”, “Spin That Bottle” and now, his latest release, “Did It For A Girl”. I first met Tim at the CMAOntario Awards weekend earlier this year. He made the long drive from Thunder Bay to Hamilton to experience the event and make new contacts. Enjoy my chat with Tim and be sure to follow him on his socials to keep up to date on his career. Dave: Tim, who are the artists that have influenced you the most in your music career? Tim: There have […]

The news spread quickly on Monday, July 24, 2023, that John Marlatt, owner of Oakville’s iconic Moonshine Cafe, had passed away after a brief illness. Right away, there was an enormous outpouring of love & remembrance on social media for the man known for his quick wit, friendliness and love of live music. The Moonshine stage became a fixture and a hot spot on Kerr Street over the last 17 years. John would always be there, working hard, barbecuing, encouraging artists and sometimes asking the audience to stop talking and really listen to the acts & their songs. The Moonshine Cafe is legendary because of the legend that John is. Anyone who has been to this venue as an audience member or a performer knows […]

Ottawa brothers Cory and Jeff Papineau – together known as Lemon Cash – recently released their brand new single, “Breakup Song”, written by the duo along with fellow country artist Wes Mack and veteran lyricist/producer/musician Dan Swinimer. It’s the first release under their new recording contract with Sakamoto Music, distributed by Warner Music Canada.      “Cory and Jeff have it all when it comes to songwriting, performing, and bringing that certain energy that ignites audiences. We can’t wait to share their music with country fans everywhere,” says Joelle May, Director of Promotions & Artist Services at Sakamoto Music. Last year, the brothers had their busiest year to date, performing shows and at festivals across the country, including the Calgary Stampede. With their debut album on the […]

Runaway Angel – Cadence Grace, Ann Chaplin and Stacey Zegers – is BACK and just in time to provide us with a great feel good summertime song, “Beach Please”. The new single release marks the trio’s tenth anniversary. Since Runaway Angel’s formation in 2013, the ladies have been 2016 CCMA Discovery Artist nominees and celebrated 7 Country Music Association of Ontario nominations, two iTunes Canadian Country Top 5 charting albums, and a previous Top 50 Canadian radio hit (“Witness”). They have also toured Canada and Europe. “Beach Please” is a poignant milestone as the group’s first new music since Grace’s leukemia diagnosis in 2018. Following Cadence’s courageous journey – which included a personal blog, a life-saving bone marrow transplant, receiving the Extraordinary CML Story Award […]

My guest for this month’s column is musician Jeff Brown. He’s made quite a name for himself over the years on the country music scene, accompanying a long list of artists – solo and as part of a band, touring with The Washboard Union, etc. He’s a leader and inspiration in the community. Chances are you’ve seen him perform over the years at a country show. It was great to have Jeff answer my questions on his music career and his instrument: the guitar.    Tell us about your first guitar. Was it a case of picking it up and never putting it down?  My first guitar was a Jay Turser and it was a knock-off of a Fender Stratocaster with a tobacco burst finish. […]