'Canuck super group' has Guelph show

--taken from: Guelph Mercury

by Doug Hallett

Four musicians who have got together to form what’s being described as a “Canuck super group” will perform at the River Run Centre on Thursday April 20 at 8 p.m. as part of an eight-stop tour in southern Ontario.

The TransCanada Highwaymen consists of Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness, Chris Murphy of Sloan, Craig Northey of Odds and Steven Page, formerly of Barenaked Ladies.

The show will include 16 of their hit songs and will also incorporate band videos, photos and inside jokes gleaned from 25 years of friendship and camaraderie, a news release said.

“From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, each individual TransCanada Highwaymen member has left an indelible mark on the Canadian music scene. They come together now to share their road stories and laugh at the mayhem, mishaps and mischief that go along with being part of a band,” the release said. “Switching instruments throughout the show, the band will move freely from music to memories while providing behind-the-scenes access to the creative minds who wrote the songs that everyone knows and loves.”

--taken from: Guelph Mercury

Iconic Canadian Front Men Bring New Musical Project To River Run

--taken from: Guelph Now!

They are four musicians who have have played to millions of fans and sold just as many records. Now, Moe Berg, Chris Murphy, Craig Northey and Steven Page have joined forces as the Trans-Canada Highwaymen. The iconic Canadian front men will bring their new musical project to River Run Centre on Thursday, April 20, at 8 p.m. The Main Stage Performance is presented as part of the Richardson GMP Music Series.

Distinct singers and songwriters each with a fanatical fan base, the members of the Trans-Canada Highwaymen have performed at the world's biggest music festivals, sold-out arenas and on top television shows. Over time, the beloved Canadian musicians have evolved into music producers, television hosts, authors and composers for film and theatre. As the Trans-Canada Highwaymen, Berg, Murphy, Northey and Page come together to share stories and songs that live on.

A founding member of the Barenaked Ladies, Page’s distinctive and powerful tenor is among the most instantly recognizable voices in popular music. In recent years, he has enjoyed great success as a solo artist, composed six scores for productions at the Stratford Festival and collaborated and toured with the Art of Time Ensemble, among many other projects.

Northey spent 30 years as a member of the iconic Canadian band Odds, but is also well-known as a “serial collaborator” with musical and theatrical friends. Among the friends he's worked with are blues and swing musician Colin James, Rob Baker of the Tragically Hip, Jesse Valenzuela of the Gin Blossoms, Kids in the Hall and Brent Butt.

Murphy has enjoyed a more than 25-year career in the rock-quartet Sloan, one of the most popular bands in Canadian music history. He is also a member of the band TUNS and served as a host on CBC Radio. Murphy finds his greatest artistic joy playing music with friends.

Berg is best known as a member of the Pursuit of Happiness, a band that penned hits including I'm An Adult Now and Hard to Laugh during an active and successful 12-year career. While the Pursuit of Happiness has been on an extended break during recent years, the band does emerge from time to time, much to the delight of fans.

Together, Berg, Murphy, Northey and Page will perform 16 hit songs accompanied by funny and insightful stories that reveal the lives behind their careers. It's a performance that will prove they are as vital, entertaining and charismatic as ever.

--taken from: Guelph Now!

A Fan’s Perspective of the 2017 Junos, Part 2

--taken from: A Journal of Musical Things

[Emily Plunkett was given free rein to roam the Junos. The first part of her report can be found here. – Alan Cross]

In the whirlwind that is national awards shows, it’s inevitable that I’d learn a lesson or two.  Here’s one.

Lesson learned: Just because you don’t get invited to that all-inclusive after party doesn’t mean you won’t attend something just as, if not more, special.

As the complete novice journalist and photographer that I am, it can be really easy for me to get swept in the grand, romantic idea of the fast paced life of a reporter; especially after my last experience at the Junos. At the time I was still a student and 100 per cent green to the experience. Although I quickly learned it wasn’t all glitz, I was thoroughly impressed with the open bar for the members of the press and just being in the press room at all. In the midst of the flurry of activity that week was, I said yes to just about everything that came through my email inbox – including an invite to a major label after party that I didn’t realize was a very legitimate thing until I stepped onto their red carpet at Metropolitan on Sussex Dr.  That night I came face to face with members of Simple Plan, Blue Rodeo, and Epic Meal Time (remember them?).  For the aspiring music journalist without much experience, I was stunned. I still can’t walk past the restaurant without thinking about it, even five years later.

Fast forward to now. One of my grand ideas was to recreate that one story behind the major music label party. It’s been a bit of a hard road these past few years, and I wanted to know if I could do it again.  While I’m at it, I would be able to compare the experiences  But, as time passed this week, I found that my inbox was quieter this time around, and there was no invite to that label party – even though I know for a fact others got it.

Around the time I began to accept my fate as after-party-less, I got an invite to what was called Playlist Live: Canada’s 150th, presented by olè, a music rights management firm. I had no idea what it was about, or really who was putting it on, but George Stroumboulopoulos’ name was attached. I figured it might be a bit of a gamble to RSVP to it without more information. But the address in the email was very near my house in Gatineau, so if things went horribly wrong, I could just walk home and rest up for the next day. I would have to ditch the fancy welcome cocktails at the National Gallery an hour into it, and skip the Juno Cup game entirely, but the trade off possibilities were too interesting to ignore.

And then olè sent another email about half an hour before I arrived with the names of people who were going to show up. Arkells. Billy Talent’s Ben Kowalewicz. Jim Cuddy. Fred Penner. Whitehorse. Sam Roberts. Sloan’s Chris Murphy – now there was a name I wasn’t expecting to see this weekend!  There were also quite a few names that were unfamiliar to me, such as William Prince, Tasha the Amazon, Michee Me; and something called Feltworth was to open.

So I get there, just in time to see Chris Murphy walk in with Jay Ferguson (What?!), and to figure out the $20 I brought for drinks was useless because the bar was open.

To say this show was badass doesn’t even remotely come close to describing what I witnessed. It was Ben Kowalewicz performing Neil Young’s Ohio as a duet with Rough Trade’s Carole Pope.  It was the epic rap battle between Tasha the Amazon and Michee Me. It was the Tenors showing up to perform a tribute to Leonard Cohen.  It was the only chance I got to watch the Arkells properly all weekend and what did they do? Cover Bryan Adams.

And this Feltworth group? Well, they’re a puppet band. Literally puppets, like a rock and roll Casey and Finnigan – but with the singing voice of a certain Sloan frontman. They came back to open the next set with Fred Penner. They sang Spinning Wheel by Blood Sweat and Tears. I have followed Sloan to almost 25 shows in the past 15 years; I’m amazed I got to see this.

Behind me, Rob Baker and Paul Langlois wandered the crowd as Jim Cuddy performed Bobcaygeon. Kardinal Offishall was back there somewhere. As a child of late ‘90’s MuchMusic, my heart absolutely burst with joy to see Strombo be just the biggest music fan I’ve ever seen; and be the warmest fellow when I just couldn’t leave the party until I shook his hand.

The Rolling Stones once said you can’t always get what you want.  I walked home that night with exactly what I needed.

--taken from: A Journal of Musical Things

Cockburn Tops List of Canadian Icons Making Harvest Debut

--taken from: Wire Service

Iconic Canadian performers Bruce Cockburn, Martha Wainwright and Sloan will each make their Harvest debut during the festival's 27th edition, this September 12-17th in Fredericton, NB.

These performers join already announced headliners including fellow Canadian Colin James and American artists Steve Earle & the Dukes, The Revivalists, Lettuce and The Marcus King Band. Tickets to all shows go on sale May 11th at 11:00AM (AST).

"Cockburn, Wainright and Sloan are some of the most recognizable names in the storied history of Canadian music and we are finally getting the chance to present these iconic performers during the Festival" said Brent Staeben, Programming Director. "These are bucket-list performers for us and for many Festival patrons, and now there's yet another reason to wish away our time, pining for mid September to come."

One of Canada's finest artists, Bruce Cockburn has enjoyed an illustrious career shaped by politics, spirituality, and musical diversity. His remarkable journey has seen him embrace folk, jazz, rock, and worldbeat styles, and writing memorable songs about his ever-expanding world of wonders. That scratching and pulling has earned Cockburn high praise as an exceptional songwriter and a revered guitarist. His songs of romance, protest, and spiritual discovery are among the best to have emerged from Canada over the last 40 years. And he remains deeply respected for his activism on issues from native rights and land mines to the environment and Third World debt, working for organizations such as Oxfam, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, and Friends of the Earth. For his many achievements, the Ottawa-born artist has been honoured with 12 Juno Awards, an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and a Governor General's Performing Arts Award, and has been made an Officer of the Order of Canada. Cockburn will be supported by Canadian roots rocker Terra Lightfoot from Waterdown, Ontario.

With an undeniable voice and an arsenal of powerful songs, Martha Wainwright is a beguiling performer and a refreshingly different force in music. Martha began building a buzz with her well-noted EPs, prior to her 2005 critically and commercially successful self-titled, debut LP. Now, four years later, 'Goodnight City' is poised to be her best record, returning to the rawness of her first release and including songs written by notable artists such as Beth Orton, Glen Hansard, her brother Rufus Wainwright, Michael Ondaatje, and Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs. Waintwright is the daughter of folk legends Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle. Martha tours her music around the world to sold out audiences on several continents.

Sloan is comprised of four distinct songwriting voices, guitarists Patrick Pentland and Jay Ferguson, bassist Chris Murphy and drummer Andrew Scott. The cohesive collective are self proclaimed Toronto scenesters who will always call Halifax home. Their back catalogue uniquely appeals to Much Music and rock-radio regulars, while the group maintains strong ties to their indie roots via their own label murderecords. They're Money-City Maniacs who have a soft spot for sweet sugar tunes, and instead of coasting on their cred, continue to challenge themselves with each record.

The Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival is Atlantic Canada's largest annual music festival, drawing up to 85,000 fans to the streets of Fredericton each September. Bruce Cockburn, Martha Wainwright, Sloan, Terra Lightfoot and more will perform at the 27th annual edition of the festival this September 12-17. Tickets and passes will go on-sale May 11 at 11:00am (AST) via www.etixnow.com or by using a self-serve kiosk at Graystone Brewing or Isaac's Way Restaurant in Fredericton, NB.

--taken from: Wire Service

Canuck Super Group TransCanada Highwaymen Sets Southern Ontario Tour Dates

--taken from: Broadway World

Four friends, four frontmen and four iconic Canadian rock bands ­- the TransCanada Highwaymen is a Canuck super group made up of Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness, Chris Murphy of Sloan, Craig Northey of Odds and Steven Page, formerly of Barenaked Ladies.

Performing 16 of their hit songs including fan faves "I'm an Adult Now", "The Other Man", "It Falls Apart" and "BrIan Wilson", the set will also incorporate band videos, never before shared photos and inside jokes gleaned from 25 years of friendship and camaraderie.

From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, each individual TransCanada Highwaymen member has left an indelible mark on the Canadian music scene. They come together now to share their road stories and laugh at the mayhem, mishaps and mischief that go along with being part of a band. Switching instruments throughout the show, the band will move freely from music to memories while providing behind the scenes access to the creative minds who wrote the songs that everyone knows and loves.

For this limited engagement, Moe, Chris, Craig and Steven will share a glimpse into one of the most transformative eras in Canadian music. Ontario tour dates include Brampton, Brantford, Guelph, Kingston, North Bay, Oakville, Richmond Hill and St. Catharines, April 19 - 28.

Moe was, and technically still is, a member of The Pursuit of Happiness. The band had plenty of fun over their 12-year active career. They have been on a 20-year hiatus though they do occasionally come out from hiding, just slightly less often than the groundhog. During this time, Moe developed a severe case of stage fright. He is hoping that by teaming up with phenomenal performers like Chris, Craig and Steven he will regain his former love of the stage. He is looking forward to the shows and the camaraderie that goes with being in a band.

Chris Murphy always wanted to be in a band and loves playing music with friends. He considers project-based friendships the most efficient way to go through life. Chris has enjoyed 25+ years in the rock band Sloan where he is an equal member. He has another band called TUNS where he is an equal member. Now he is teaming up with Moe Berg, Craig Northey and Steven Page, three Canadian musical heavyweights that Chris is proud to call peers in the TransCanada Highwaymen... and Chris is an equal member. Fingers crossed, Chris is hoping to put together another project with Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Bill Gates.

Craig Northey always takes the fun gig. To his wife's credit she has never bothered to roll her eyes when he completely ignores the pragmatic approach. She says, "That sounds interesting. See you when you get back". After 30 years in the band Odds and dozens more as "serial collaborator" with musical and theatrical friends (Kids in the Hall, Colin James, Rob Baker of the Tragically Hip, Jesse Valenzuela of the Gin Blossoms, Brent Butt, and Steven Page) he's found another fun and exotic ride to go on. Craig now gets to make rock n' roll joy with his pals Steven Page, Moe Berg and Chris Murphy as the TransCanada Highwaymen. Anyone would say yes to that. His wife smiles broadly and says, "oh...I'm going with you to those shows!"

Maybe you remember Steven Page from Barenaked Ladies. He was the one with glasses who sang songs like "BrIan Wilson" and "The Old Apartment" and left in 2009. Since then, he's released three albums, performed extensively with the Art of Time Ensemble, hosted his own TV show The Illegal Eater, and composed several scores for the Stratford Festival, including last year's acclaimed production of Macbeth. He is thrilled to be a part of the TransCanada Highwaymen as he's a huge fan of all three of his bandmates' music and is thrilled to be playing some of their biggest hits with them, particularly The Pursuit of Happiness' "Sweet City Woman," Sloan's "Sunglasses At Night" and "Everything I Do I Do It For You," made famous by Odds. Steven likes to think of TCH as Canada's Traveling Wilburys, which would make him their Roy Orbison. Except still alive.

--taken from: Broadway World