Friday November 30th, 2018

(This Interview is also on SoundCloud  https://soundcloud.com/rudy-blair/chat-w-andy-kim-on-cwof   )

December of 2018 is a very busy time for the 2016 Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame inductee Andy Kim  https://andykimforcongress.com/ .  The singer/songwriter best know for classic hit songs Rock Me Gently  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ym3RlvVR9M  and Sugar, Sugar  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yo7Syttnkg  is being inducted into the 2018 Canada’s Walk of Fame https://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/  Saturday December 1st at Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts www.sonycentre.ca/    (CTV’s Broadcast of the 2018 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards (airing Sunday Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT)) .  He’s also headlining three 14th Annual  Andy Kim Christmas Concert fundraisers with proceeds going to CAMH’s Gifts of Light program  www.camh.ca/give/Shop_Now‎  .  The concerts are taking place at Toronto’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Dec. 5, 2018  https://queenelizabeththeatre.ca/  , Montreals Corona Theatre December 15th, 2018   https://www.theatrecorona.ca/en  & The Burlington Performing Arts Centre December 20th, 2018  https://burlingtonpac.ca/ .  Artist taking part include Ron Sexsmith, Sarah Slean, Kevin Fox and The TransCanada Highwaymen (Steven Page formerly of BNL; Chris Murphy of SLOAN; Craig Northey of the Odds; and Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness).  Andy made time from his busy schedule to speak with Rudy Blair Entertainment Media rudyblairmedia.com to talk about his upcoming induction, his holiday concert fundraisers and his 50 years in music.

Thursday November 29th, 2018

Toronto’s first creative entrepreneurship hub  Artscape Daniels Launchpad   https://artscapedanielslaunchpad.com/  officially opened Monday November 26th, 2018.  Artscape Daniels Launchpad is a 30,000+ sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility located within the soon to be completed Daniels Waterfront (130 Queens Quay East, 4th floor). This unique centre for creative collaboration and entrepreneurship was developed to empower emerging and established artists, designers and creators from all disciplines to build thriving, prosperous careers.  A launch party took place in the evening  with attendees that included  Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Her Honour, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell and Mayor of Toronto John Tory.    Rudy Blair Entertainment Media  rudyblairmedia.com  was also at the Launch event to speak with Tim Jones (CEO) https://twitter.com/timjones0001?lang=en  & Karim Rahemtulla (Managing Director) https://twitter.com/k_rahemtulla?lang=en   about how Artscape Daniels Launchpad will help Canadian creatives.  

(Artscape Daniels Launchpad | Where Creativity Comes to Prosper  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGSVc_ZvKvM  )

Wednesday November 28th, 2018

(This Interview is also on SoundCloud  https://soundcloud.com/rudy-blair/chat-w-jessica-mitchell-on-new  )

One of Canada’s top emerging Country music recording artists Jessica Mitchell  https://www.jessicamitchellmusic.com/ headlined a concert at Toronto’s The Great Hall (Thursday November 22nd, 2018) https://www.thegreathall.ca/  for the 1st time in her career.   She performed music from her debut album Heart Of Glass.  Rudy Blair Entertainment Media  rudyblairmedia.com was invited to her soundcheck before the show to speak with the singer/songwriter about her flourishing career, performing at The Great Hall for the 1st time, how her personal relationship has changed her life and influenced her music and her latest album including her single Maybe It’s Me  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZiGpAqxBNU .

Tuesday November 27th, 2018

There’s a new wave of home grown Canadian artists making big waves in the music world including New Cities,Kayla Diamond, Francesco Yates, The Beaches, Elijah Woods  & Jamie Fine and Birds of Bellwoods.  You can also add Toronto singer/songwriter  Jenna Bennett https://www.jennabennettmusic.com  .  In her young career she was chosen by Honey Jam honeyjam.com/  , the annual event that showcases the best in emerging female music talent in Canada  to participate in their 2017 conference in Barbados. She also placed second in the Toronto IMSTA FESTA songwriting competition in 2018 and was chosen by Keith Urban for Top 10 cover videos of “Blue Ain’t Your Colour”. She’s just released her new single Priceless  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KtZ6L-IPjY  .   Rudy Blair Entertainment Media  rudyblairmedia.com speaks with the budding star about her career, new single and plans for 2019 including an album.   

Wednesday November 21st, 2018

The Pop/Rock band Hanson  hanson.net/ is in Toronto for two concerts, last night(Tuesday November 20th, 2018) and tonight(Wednesday November 21st, 2018) at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre  https://queenelizabeththeatre.ca/ .  They’re also promoting their latest and most ambitious album String Theory where their music is being accompanied by a full orchestra.  Rudy Blair Entertainment Media  rudyblairmedia.com  speaks with brothers Zack, Taylor and Isaac about performing in Toronto, their over 25 years in music and their latest LP including the single Siren Call  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3A3EquYquE  .

Friday November 23rd, 2018

(This Interview is also on SoundCloud  https://soundcloud.com/rudy-blair/chat-w-robert-kerr-on )

One of the largest Christmas celebrations in Toronto is taking place at Nathan Phillips Square this Saturday November 24th, 2018,. Rudy Blair Entertainment Media  rudyblairmedia.com  speaks with   Robert Kerr  https://ca.linkedin.com/in/robert-l-kerr-439a8042  Programming Supervisor, City Cultural Events at City of Toronto about  the 52nd annual Cavalcade Of Lights https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/partnerships-sponsorships-donations/sponsor/major-festivals-events/cavalcade-of-lights/ about some of the holiday fun including ice skating, food, a concert, fireworks and the lighting of one of the tallest Christmas trees in Canada.

Monday November 26th, 2018

The 4th annual Holland Bloorview Rocks  https://www.hollandbloorview.ca/rocks took place Sunday November 18th, 2018 at Toronto’s Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital  https://www.hollandbloorview.ca/  .  The event showcased kids (two groups known as The Sour Patch Kids & The Pop Rockers) of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s music therapy programs in a one-of-a-kind band performance with celebrity judges.  Those judges(mentors) were musician  Topher Stott  https://twitter.com/topherstott?lang=en , singer  Kellylee Evans  www.kellyleeevans.com/  & myself Rudy Blair https://www.rudyblairmedia.com  .  After the concert , Rudy Blair Entertainment Media  rudyblairmedia.com speaks with Andrea Lamont  https://www.facebook.com/andrea.lamont.52  Music Therapy Coordinator for the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and explains how this event, fundraiser ( raised over 20 thousand dollars) and music therapy programs helps children with disabilities.

Friday November 23rd, 2018

The lights are a little brighter at the corner of Toronto’s College and Spadina as the neon sign of the El Mocambo  https://elmocambo.com/  (Thursday November 15th, 2018)  turned on for the 1st time in four years.  The El Mocambo originally opened in 1948  became one of the most important launching pads for Canadian and International music acts.  The Rolling Stones, The Ramones, U2, Jimmi Hendrix and Bon Jovi are just some of the artists who have performed at the legendary club.  Toronto Mayor John Tory  https://www.johntory.ca/  was there for the exciting lighting event along with Canadian boxing legend George Chuvalo  https://twitter.com/georgechuvalo?lang=en   and new El Mocambo owner and CEO, Michael Wekerle  www.michaelwekerle.ca/ (Best known for his role on CBC’s Dragons Den  https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/  ).  Rudy Blair Entertainment Media  rudyblairmedia.com  was at the lighting and also after party and speaks  Michael Wekerle,  the new owner of The El Mocambo about why he decided  to resurrect the iconic nightclub and future plans for the venue .

Thursday November 22nd, 2018

The lights are a little brighter at the corner of Toronto’s College and Spadina as the neon sign of the El Mocambo  https://elmocambo.com/  (Thursday November 15th, 2018)  turned on for the 1st time in four years.  The El Mocambo originally opened in 1948  became one of the most important launching pads for Canadian and International music acts.  The Rolling Stones, The Ramones, U2, Jimmi Hendrix and Bon Jovi are just some of the artists who have performed at the legendary club.  Toronto Mayor John Tory  https://www.johntory.ca/  was there for the exciting lighting event along with Canadian boxing legend George Chuvalo  https://twitter.com/georgechuvalo?lang=en   and new El Mocambo owner and CEO, Michael Wekerle  www.michaelwekerle.ca/ (Best known for his role on CBC’s Dragons Den  https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/  ).  Rudy Blair Entertainment Media  rudyblairmedia.com  was at the lighting and also after party and speaks with  Phyllis Sugarman Lunsky  https://www.facebook.com/phyllis.sugarmanlunsky  the daughter of Joe Brown, the founder and original owner of the El Mocambo.(along with John Lang)  about her family legacy with the iconic nightclub.  

Wednesday November 21st, 2018

The lights are a little brighter at the corner of Toronto’s College and Spadina as the neon sign of the El Mocambo  https://elmocambo.com/  (Thursday November 15th, 2018)  turned on for the 1st time in four years.  The El Mocambo originally opened in 1948  became one of the most important launching pads for Canadian and International music acts.  The Rolling Stones, The Ramones, U2, Jimmi Hendrix and Bon Jovi are just some of the artists who have performed at the legendary club.  Toronto Mayor John Tory  https://www.johntory.ca/  was there for the exciting lighting event along with Canadian boxing legend George Chuvalo  https://twitter.com/georgechuvalo?lang=en   and new El Mocambo owner and CEO, Michael Wekerle  www.michaelwekerle.ca/ (Best known for his role on CBC’s Dragons Den  https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/  ).  Rudy Blair Entertainment Media  rudyblairmedia.com  was at the lighting and also after party and speaks with musician James Bryan https://www.facebook.com/jamesbryanmusic/ of The Philosopher Kings  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philosopher_Kings  and Prozzäk   www.prozzakofficial.com/  about performing at the iconic club back in the day, his thoughts on the nightclubs resurrection and upcoming tour with The Philosopher Kings.