Alexandra Morton - Tireless Crusader
Hello,
While many of you were on vacation the federal government called for comments on their draft salmon feedlot regulations. They plan to allow salmon farm expansion without environmental assessments - they have not heard our concerns. This summer comment period made it difficult for many people to respond. Almost 7,000 of you have signed the letter I wrote and added many of your own comments. I will be pulling these together and send them to DFO tomorrow. If you would like to add your name/comments today please click or enter into your browser:
Many people have written their own letters to Ed Porter (DFO) who is accepting public input PAR-RPA@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
If you want to read more about these proposed regs please go to "Critical Input Required"
Some good news! Crown Lands cashed my checks to apply for three fish farm sites that are operating on expired leases in the Broughton. This means my applications are in their system and they recognize these tenures as expired and available.
It is going to be an intense two months. This Fraser sockeye run is a sign that we can still have these fish in our modern world.
Emails from me will be a little more frequent because your voice is essential. If you don't want to be part of this movement email and ask to be removed.
Sign the letter to DFO today if you want to be on the list tomorrow, but we don't have to accept the closure of the comment period. You should write your MP about this anytime that you can.
Alexandra Morton
How Did You End Up On The Westcoast Working with Danica Danielsen and Emily Taylor Adams.
I have been an artist myself for nearly 25 years. Five years ago I started working with a company out of Nashville called Tom Jackson Productions (www.tomjacksonproductions.com) I had heard Tom speak at various music conferences, he puts tremendous importance on the live performance part of an artist’s development.
So When I am not out on tour myself I am out at festivals on working one on one with artists producing, honing and improving their live show. Danica and her father Steve had heard of Tom Jackson, so through Tom they contacted me. I am the only Canadian rep for Tom’s company in Canada so Steve called me and that is how I ended up here at Blue Frog Studios in White Rock for a week working with these two talented young ladies.
What is it about Emily and Danica that drew you to work with them?
Well you know there are a lot of young artists that think they can play & sing. They may have good songs, but these girls not only have good songs they can sing. They are the whole package. So when I work with them live, you can get them to do stuff, so when you are working with artists as talented as Emily and Danica, it makes my job a lot easier. Its beautiful to watch
Tell me about your thoughts of instant stardom which we see a lot of through the “Idol” shows.” Being an artist yourself what are your thoughts?
Back in the olden days of record companies being the “bomb” this was the way you made it. The labels had whole departments that would develop the artists. They would get them out on the road, they would put them in front of people, they worked with them. They would create an ARTISTS. Now we have manufactured groups like NSYNC and BACKSTREET BOYS. Some of the members of those groups were talented, but they were a manufactured item. It does not normally provide a lot of longevity. What the IDOL system has done is it has destroyed the work process. Everybody thinks if I get seen, everything will change for me. The only difference with the KELLY CLARKSON’S and CARRIE UNDERWOOD’S that came out of those competitions is there is a team of the greatest people in the industry pouring themselves into your music. It is really about learning how to connect with an audience. A lot of people have forgotten this industry is a JOB, it needs a lot of HARD WORK. Some people try to take the shortcut. It just doesn’t work that way anymore.
It has been said by many veterans in the music industry in Canada, disproportionately we have a real lack of world class managers. Most other facets of the Canadian music industry is serviced very well. Do you concur with that statement and as a result of this, you and your company fulfill a much needed service?
I agree totally. I do what is called live music producing and just work on the show. What I find far too often is when I go to work with artists they are in need of some kind of mentoring. This used to be done by record labels and managers. I am now giving these artists 25 years of my experience to try to help them not make some of the most common mistakes made as an artist climbs the ladder of success. No one else is out there giving them this kind of advice.
I was talking to the creator of CD BABY where most independent artists sell their music these days, and he had a great quote that I often repeat.
“The industry and most of the management and record labels used to see a tree and would say I can make a great piece of furniture out of that.” Now they see a wonderful piece of furniture and they say “I can sell that!” They don’t want to build it anymore. They don’t want to take risks. They have dropped their creativity. Now they say, “You show me someone who is selling a ton of records and doing lots of shows, and we will jump on board.” So I now find myself filling that void for artists.
Final question. How important is "the song" in the whole equation of an artist's career development?
There are a lot of artists out there today that can say that had A GREAT SONG. The song is so important, but if you don’t learn the stage you will fall by the wayside. I think BILL GATES put it best when he said “In the future those that will succeed will be those that can use high tech and high touch.” The music industry today is all about the stage., You can create fans all around the world virally through on line. But the stage, the live touch is where you build life long fans. If you are not touching lives one on one in the live show you will not have longevity.
Tomorrow - STEVE DANIELSEN, father to one girl, Manager to both.
Saturday - Danica & Emily sit down to talk about how they feel after spending a week working on their "live" show.
 
Canada Calling
TROOPER has been called "Canada's Favourite Party Band". What are a couple of your fondest Canada Day show memories?
We did a Canada Day show on George Street in St John’s Newfoundland a few years back that was so full of love and Canadian pride it would be pretty hard to beat. But something tells me this year’s show is going to be right up there.
Where will TROOPER be this Canada Day?
We'll be celebrating this year with our Vancouver Island friends on the beach in Parksville BC. Chilliwack did this show last year and 30,000 people showed up. So we’re expecting at least that many!
The band is celebrating its 35th Anniversary, let's just pause and let that settle in. So back to the beginning.
Where were you and what were you doing when you heard your first TROOPER song on the radio?
I was somewhere near Windsor/Detroit in a car with the rest of the band. Baby Woncha Please Come Home came on. We pulled over.
Was putting all the songs together for the new CD a difficult job. What to put in, what to leave out?
Over ten years ago Universal Music Canada came to us with a proposal to put together what they saw as “Hot Shots Two” since Hot Shots (our Greatest Hits record) was their best selling catalog CD at the time. That project developed into a two disk compilation that contained songs from all ten of our albums - and then it undeveloped into absolute music business smoke. We’re still not clear what happened. In 2008 we took another swing at Universal and this time they came through with a single disk that, happily, still represents songs from all ten albums. What makes me happiest about the remaining songs is that now, finally, all of our actual hits are on one CD. Janine, Three Dressed Up as a Nine, Boy With a Beat, Real Canadians, American Dream and Thin White Line are on there now and my all time favourite Trooper song "It Comes and It Goes" (which was not a hit but I got to choose the songs (;-)) is on there too - as well as all the expected Hot Shots hits. AND it’s all been beautifully re mastered by Craig Waddell. It sounds so good I want to go across Canada and swap out everyone’s Hot Shots for the new one …
As you have played a number of Canada Day shows with a ton of different bands, not to show any real favouritism, but if you were able to choose your "dream Canada day" lineup, with TROOPER headlining of course, who would two of the other bands be?
The Weakerthans from Winnipeg
Arcade Fire from Montreal
Bedouin Soundclash from Toronto
And Stan Rogers from Heaven (you said it was a “Dream” Canada Day show, right?)
And I’d get Rick Mercer to MC
You will be closing the PNE Summer Concert Series this year. Do those hometown shows ever lose their lustre?
The PNE show is one we really look forward to. And I believe we may have been asked back to do that show more than any other band. Last time we opened the season, this year we’re closing it. No, hometown shows never lose their lustre. The audience is your friends, family and neighbours - you’ve gotta be great ...
If I am correct TROOPER still holds the crowd record for these PNE shows correct?
So far, yes. We have a *lot* of friends family and neighbours!!
A TROOPER song was recently used in a documentary, could you please tell me a little bit about the doc and how it came to be they chose a TROOPER song.
”We’re Here for A Good Time (Not a Long Time) is featured in John Zaritzky’s new documentary, “Leave Them Laughing” an inspirational film about the last days of the indomitable Carla Zilbersmith. Trooper got involved early on in the production and, with the help of our Administrator Heather Uhl - who fell completely in love with both the film and Carla, petitioned both our record company and publishing company (Universal and Sony) to donate the sync rights to the project. It’s a heartbreakingly funny and deeply rewarding movie. Here’s a quote from Carla after she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease:
“A journalist asked me what I wanted to do before I died” Carla says, “And I quite naturally answered: Johnny Depp”.
You did a big celebration for TROOPER'S 25th anniversary, do we have to wait for 50 or will there by a blowout celebration for us this year?
The 25th Anniversary was a great party that brought all the original Trooper brothers back together for one quite extraordinary night. I really like the fact that it only happened the once. I’d say though, that if we made it to 50 years we should probably throw another party!
What are you listening to on your ipad/iphone/ipod these days?
Janelle Monae, Abigail Washburn, Mat Kearney, Jonah Smith, Keb’ Mo’ and on and on. In shuffle mode!
What are you reading on (see above)
I turned 60 on the 13th of June (not a Friday this year, thankfully) and Debbie’s present was an iPad. It hasn’t been more than a foot away from me since! I still have over 30 old fashioned analog/paper books beside the bed that I’ve pledged to try and read before doing all my reading on the iPad, but I’ve already downloaded one book (Relic by Preston and Child) which I’m reading on tour.
MERCI BEAUCOUP MON AMI
DE RIEN!!
VANCOUVER MUSIC INDUSTRY 5TH ANNUAL
AWARD GALA & CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
TO HONOUR RANDY BACHMAN AND CHARLIE RICHMOND
Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Music Industry (VMI) is pleased to announce the 2010 recipient for the Bruce Allen/Sam Feldman Legend Award, presented to those who have made great contributions to the local music scene for many years. This year the Bruce Allen/Sam Feldman Legend Award will be presented to Randy Bachman, a well respected musician who has become a legendary figure in the rock 'n' roll world through his talents as a guitarist, songwriter, performer and producer. He has earned over 120 gold and platinum album/singles awards around the world for performing and producing. His song writing has garnered him the coveted #1 spot on radio playlists in over 20 countries and he has amassed over 40 million records sold. Randy has played an integral role in the evolution and growth of the Canadian Music Industry and continues to serve as both an inspiration and impetus for others to succeed.
This year the VMI will also recognize an individual who has comprehensively contributed to the technical aspect of music. Charlie Richmond will receive the John Vrtacic Memorial Award in recognition of his achievements as an entrepreneur and inventor. He was instrumental in the early development of sound design in the 1960s and 1970s. He founded a company in 1972 which continues to be responsible for major innovations and a patent in that field. He was also instrumental in the design of the major recording studio, Mushroom Studios which he later owned then sold in 1999.
The 5th annual VMI Gala will take place on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at the Villa Amato ballroom in Vancouver. The event includes an award gala with live performances, silent auction, video presentations and speeches from honoured guests and Board members. Awards are presented to influential contributors to the Vancouver Music Industry.
On Wednesday, July 28, 2010 The VMI will host a golf tournament at the University Golf Club. Each year Mike Fraser and Jeff Dawson invite music industry friends to join them to play 18 holes of golf to connect with colleagues and to provide an opportunity for up-and-coming musicians to socialize with industry professionals in a very unique and relaxed setting.
With activities and entertainment throughout the course and a non-competitive atmosphere this is rock 'n' roll golf for the seasoned pro as well as beginners who want to join in the fun! This two-day event is organized by individuals who are involved in the local music scene and provides funds for charitable organizations including the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach and Music BC.
The event has raised over $70,000 for the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach program since it began in 2005. “This has become a great event to bring the Vancouver Music community together and to raise some money for a good cause while celebrating the thriving local music scene” said Jeff Dawson, VMI founder. “Honoring Randy Bachman and Charlie Richmond was something the entire committee felt was important, these individuals have done so much for the local music industry that we wanted a chance to acknowledge their contributions.”
Tickets for this event are available through the VMI website www.vancouvermusicindustry.com
About Vancouver Music Industry - Founded in 2005, this organization brings together members from the local music industry to support each other and ensure the continued growth of this industry here in Vancouver.
For more information please contact: info@vancouvermusicindustry.com.
About Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach - This Arts Umbrella project is a free music outreach program to children and youth in Vancouver’s inner city, which offers students high quality music instruction in guitar, piano, percussion and choir. The program also provides a support network for inner city youth that will enable them to develop a life-long love of music and enthusiasm for learning.
For more information please visit http://www.sarahmclachlanmusicoutreach.com/
About Music BC – Music BC is a non-profit society that supports and promotes the spirit, development and growth of the BC music community provincially, nationally and internationally. Music BC provides education, resources, advocacy, opportunities for funding, networking and a forum for communication.
For more information please go to www.musicbc.org.
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