Music

Mike Miltimore, owner of Kamloop’s Riversong Guitars, shown in this handout image, celebrates the company’s P2P River Pacific guitar being named acoustic guitar of the year. It is the first time a Canadian company has won the prestigious international Musical Merchandise Review Dealers’ Choice Award. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Riversong Guitars

Kamloops company slays industry giants to win acoustic guitar of the year

Riversong Guitars beat out Taylor, Yamaha and Martin guitars to pluck the title

Mike Miltimore, owner of Kamloop’s Riversong Guitars, shown in this handout image, celebrates the company’s P2P River Pacific guitar being named acoustic guitar of the year. It is the first time a Canadian company has won the prestigious international Musical Merchandise Review Dealers’ Choice Award. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Riversong Guitars
Oscar, Golden Globe and two-time Grammy winning singer-actress Irene Cara has died at age 63. (@Irene_Cara/Twitter photo)

‘Fame’ and ‘Flashdance’ singer-actor Irene Cara dies at 63

Performer an Oscar, Golden Globe and two-time Grammy winner

Oscar, Golden Globe and two-time Grammy winning singer-actress Irene Cara has died at age 63. (@Irene_Cara/Twitter photo)
The cover for 80 Where Late the Song Birds Sing by Emma Robbins. (Courtesy of James Robbins)

Sidney country artist releases first solo album at 80

Emma Robbins began writing her own songs 15 years ago

The cover for 80 Where Late the Song Birds Sing by Emma Robbins. (Courtesy of James Robbins)
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy will perform ‘A Celtic Family Christmas’ at several Vancouver Island venues including Nanaimo’s Port Theatre. (Photo submitted)

Fiddle duo bringing Christmas celebration to Vancouver Island venues

Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy on the Island from Nov. 18-22

Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy will perform ‘A Celtic Family Christmas’ at several Vancouver Island venues including Nanaimo’s Port Theatre. (Photo submitted)
The Philadelphia Orchestra rehearses with its music director and conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia on October 17, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Matt Rourke

Composer Nézet-Séguin, producer Boi-1da among top Canadian Grammy nominees

B.C.’s Michael Bublé’s latest effort ‘Higher’ among contenders for traditional pop vocal album

The Philadelphia Orchestra rehearses with its music director and conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia on October 17, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Matt Rourke
Members of Nickelback pose for photographers as they arrive on the red carpet at the Juno Awards in Ottawa, Sunday April 1, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Nickelback to be inducted into Canadian Music Hall of Fame

Induction to occur at 2023 Juno Awards in Edmonton

Members of Nickelback pose for photographers as they arrive on the red carpet at the Juno Awards in Ottawa, Sunday April 1, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Robert Friedman plays a Steinway grand piano once owned by Thomas Edison, with possible bite marks from the inventor visible, on Sept. 28, 2022, in Woodstock, N.Y. Edison, who was hard of hearing, bit into phonographs and pianos to help him better experience music. Friedman purchased the piano last year and hopes to find a home for it where it can be seen by the public. (AP Photo/Michael Hill)

VIDEO: Thomas Edison may have left his mark on piano

Famed inventor left ‘toothy signatures’ on piano

Robert Friedman plays a Steinway grand piano once owned by Thomas Edison, with possible bite marks from the inventor visible, on Sept. 28, 2022, in Woodstock, N.Y. Edison, who was hard of hearing, bit into phonographs and pianos to help him better experience music. Friedman purchased the piano last year and hopes to find a home for it where it can be seen by the public. (AP Photo/Michael Hill)
Young D and Yung Trybez from Snotty Nose Rez Kids. Photo supplied

Snotty Nose Rez Kids talk songwriting and production through VIRL workshop

Virtual Vancouver Island Regional Library event to be held Nov. 17 on Zoom

Young D and Yung Trybez from Snotty Nose Rez Kids. Photo supplied
FILE - Takeoff, left, and Quavo of Migos, arrive at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2021. Houston police say one person was fatally shot and two others injured early Tuesday at a private party attended by members of the rap group Migos. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP File)

Takeoff dead at 28

Migos rapper Takeoff is dead after a shooting early Tuesday outside a…

FILE - Takeoff, left, and Quavo of Migos, arrive at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2021. Houston police say one person was fatally shot and two others injured early Tuesday at a private party attended by members of the rap group Migos. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP File)
A photograph of the CBC building in Toronto on April 4, 2012. Musicians across the country are expressing concern for their livelihood after SiriusXM announced it would not renew their contract with CBC. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Musicians worried for livelihoods after CBC contract ends with SiriusXM

SiriusXM said it is still committed to playing Canadian music in its programming

A photograph of the CBC building in Toronto on April 4, 2012. Musicians across the country are expressing concern for their livelihood after SiriusXM announced it would not renew their contract with CBC. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Evy Miller and Leah Paquett practice with the Harmony Project Sooke string class. The pair were the among the first students in the program. (Contributed – Harmony Project Sooke)

Harmony Project Sooke a boost for young musicians

Program offers unique music offering

  • Oct 17, 2022
Evy Miller and Leah Paquett practice with the Harmony Project Sooke string class. The pair were the among the first students in the program. (Contributed – Harmony Project Sooke)
A shot from Canadian rapper bbno$’s latest music video “top gun” taken at the Westshore Motorsports Park. (Screenshot)

bbno$’s latest music video filmed all over Greater Victoria

The Vancouver-born rapper has billions of streams on TikTok and Spotify

A shot from Canadian rapper bbno$’s latest music video “top gun” taken at the Westshore Motorsports Park. (Screenshot)
A musical artist from Nanaimo releases his first single and music video ‘Upside Down’ early October. (Aron Shane Photography)

Nanaimo alternative rock musician returns from 8-year hiatus with new single and video

Adam Ashten’s ‘Upside Down’ releases on all streaming platforms Oct. 7

A musical artist from Nanaimo releases his first single and music video ‘Upside Down’ early October. (Aron Shane Photography)
Coolio performs on day three of Riot Fest on Sept. 18, 2022, at Douglass Park in Chicago. Coolio, the rapper who was among hip-hop’s biggest names of the 1990s, died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, at age 59, his manager said. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP, File)

‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper Coolio dies at age 59, says manager

Artist won a Grammy for best solo rap performance in 1995

Coolio performs on day three of Riot Fest on Sept. 18, 2022, at Douglass Park in Chicago. Coolio, the rapper who was among hip-hop’s biggest names of the 1990s, died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, at age 59, his manager said. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP, File)
The Georgina Falt Memorial Trophy and a photo of Georgina, whom the tournament is named after. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Having fun and raising money the bottom line of music trivia tournament

Alzheimer’s fundraiser a No. 1 hit with supporters from around the Island

The Georgina Falt Memorial Trophy and a photo of Georgina, whom the tournament is named after. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Vince Ditrich. (Submitted photo)

PODCAST: A chat with longtime Spirit of the West drummer turned author Vince Ditrich

TODAY IN B.C.: Second book ‘The Vicar’s Knickers’ released in the Tony Vicar trilogy

Vince Ditrich. (Submitted photo)
Colin James plays at Nanaimos Port Theatre Sept. 27. (J. OMeara Photo)

Colin James takes ‘Open Road’ toward Vancouver Island

Musician to performs songs from Juno Award-winning new album in Nanaimo and Victoria

Colin James plays at Nanaimos Port Theatre Sept. 27. (J. OMeara Photo)
Miranda Currie, seen in an undated handout photo, is a writer, musician, filmmaker and educator who lives in Yellowknife, and is Mushkegowuk and a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Miranda Currie

Yellowknife musician wants to ‘change that Indigenous narrative in Canada’

Miranda Currie wants Indigenous kids to feel represented and valued in music, films and books

Miranda Currie, seen in an undated handout photo, is a writer, musician, filmmaker and educator who lives in Yellowknife, and is Mushkegowuk and a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Miranda Currie
Irish-born Comox Valley singer/songwriter David Somers has a new CD. Photo supplied

Courtenay singer/songwriter David Somers releases new album

This is retirement: Celtic Cargo Cult stalwart releases 13-song collection

Irish-born Comox Valley singer/songwriter David Somers has a new CD. Photo supplied
The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra Choir is looking for new voices. (Contributed - Stewart Jack)

Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra Choir seeks new music-makers

Choir rehearsing for two performances this season

The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra Choir is looking for new voices. (Contributed - Stewart Jack)