It sounds like it’s going to be a great night in Ottawa since the free event will feature a countdown to midnight with the Amanda Rheaume Band and Finger Eleven but will also include my other passion, hockey.  The World Junior Hockey Championship will be broadcast on four big-screen televisions on the canal’s Skateway.

What could be better than music, celebrations and hockey all together on New Year’s Eve?  Not much, in my opinion! 

image credit: Jeanne Dupuis

Post from: Canadian Music News

I am torn between Hedley and Theory of a Deadman… actually, Finger Eleven looks like a good choice too.  Argh!  How great is that, though?  When making a decision is tough, you know it’s been a good year in Canadian music. 

It’s also cool to see so many former Canadian Idol contestants nominated.  Carly Rae Jepsen is nominated for "Sunshine on my Shoulders," which is a nice cover of the John Denver classic but I really love her song "Tug of War."

Here are the nominees:

Rock                       
Age of Daze – "Afflicted"
Art of Dying – "Get Through This"
Daniel Wesley – "Ooo Ohh"
Die Mannequin – "Do it or Die"
Rides Again – "Infected"

CHR:                         
Addictiv- "Tonite"
Crash Parallel – "World We Know"
Danny Fernandes – "Curious"
Kreesha Turner – "Bounce with Me"
Lights – "Drive my Soul"

Urban:                                                                  
Danny Fernandes – "Curious"
Di’Ja – "Rock Steady"
Ish feat. Cory Lee – "Falling in Love with You"
Kreesha Turner – "Bounce with Me"

HOT Adult Contemporary:                   
Addictiv- "Tonite"
Crash Parallel – "World We Know"
Kreesha Turner – "Bounce with Me"
Lights – "Drive my Soul"
The Reason – "We’re so Beyond This"

MAINSTREAM Adult Contemporary:  
Carly Rae Jepsen – "Sunshine on my Shoulders"
Julie Crochetiere – "Precious Love"
Kreesha Turner – "Don’t Call Me Baby"
Lights – "Drive my Soul"
Simon Collins – "Unconditional"

Country:
Crystal Shawanda – "You Can Let Go"
Jaydee Bixby – "Old Fashioned Girl"
Ridley Bent – "Heartland Heartbreak"
Tara Oram – "Fly Girl"
The Higgins – "Flower Child"

Fan’s Choice:
Hedley
Finger Eleven
Kreesha Turner
State Of Shock
Theory of a Deadman

S.A.C. Song of the Year
Hedley – "For the Nights I Can’t Remember"
Finger Eleven – "I’ll Keep your Memory Vague"
Avril Lavigne – "Hot"
Kreesha Turner – "Don’t Call me Baby"
Kardinal Offishall – "Dangerous"

image: maplemusic.com

Post from: Canadian Music News

Most viewers found the Canadian comedian very funny at last year’s awards show (his material was co-written by Trevor Boris and Deborah Diogivanni who you may know best from MTV Canada’s Video on Trial).  His appearance was not without controversy, however. 

In this picture, I am at far right, Russel is in the middle and you will see a young boy in the far left corner.  While the show was broadcasting, Russell made a joke that insinuated that the boy was possibly gay.  What happened was that, when Russell asked the kids if he was into girls, he said "no" and Russell said: "Hey Calgary… Speaking about Flames…"  The boy seemed fine to me afterwards but his family claimed he was really humiliated.  In the end, Russell apologized.

Either way, I’m looking forward to it and I hope it all goes really smoothly this time.  He’s a great comedian and, from what I know of him, he’s a nice guy too.

images: Jeanne Dupuis

Post from: Canadian Music News

Today, MuchMusic is launching “Live in the Lot” and they’ve invited Fall Out Boy to help kick things off!  The show, presented by Rogers, will air at 7pm Eastern Time (set your PVRs!).

People in the Greater Toronto Area can join in the fun by heading down to Much headquarters around 5:30pm to watch the show from the street (it’s October in Canada, folks – please dress responsibly!). 

If you’ve got a Rogers phone, you can text FOB to 4849 to hook up:
• A reminder to watch the show on Tuesday from your phone or on TV
• Vote for FOB’s encore LIVE as they are performing!
• Hook up ring tunes, wallpapers, and FOB tracks

Don’t forget, you can pick up a copy of Fall Out Boy’s new album, “Folie a Deux” on December 16, 2008.

I wonder if bass player, Pete Wentz, will be a father by then…  Last time I saw his wife, Ashlee Simpson (younger sister of Jessica) she looked about ready to pop!  They seem super happy so I’d like to take this quick chance to wish them all the best!

images used with permission

Post from: Canadian Music News

Carly Rae Jepsen released her debut album "Tug of War" yesterday and tonight she’ll be celebrating at her favorite Vancouver venue, The Media Club.  Her MySpace profile says that it’s open to everyone so, if you are in the area, make sure you check it out!

Have you heard the title track from the album?  It’s really good.  Check it out here: http://www.myspace.com/carlyraemusic

image used with permission

Post from: Canadian Music News

Vancouver-based, TheFreshPage, has announced the first-ever contest where the winner will be crowned "Canada’s Best DJ."  Like the contest page says, I agree that it’s time for Canadian DJs to get some love and recognition (I love Samantha Ronson and those other peeps but I want some maple leaf flavor!). 

Votes will be accepted until Monday November 17, 2008.
Winner will be announced on Wednesday November 19, 2008.

Vote for your favourite Canadian DJ here!

image credit: thefreshpage.com

Post from: Canadian Music News

Did you see Hedley on the Canadian Idol finale last night?  They performed their song “Old School” and, as usual, it was a great performance.  I’m still not completely sold on Jacob Hoggard’s facial hair and scruffy look but I still love him so much.  He will always be one of my favourite Idol contestants ever!  

Check out the video of the band’s performance here:

image credit: CTV

Post from: Canadian Music News

Doesn’t Sarah McLachlan look beautiful at the BC 150 Festival???  I just love her!  Haven’t seen enough of her lately, though.  Again, I didn’t get to go to the event but I heard she was great!  Check out these pictures!

image credit via Flickr: Ianiv and Arieanna Schweber

Post from: Canadian Music News

Did any of you have a chance to go?  I was in California at the time (plus I live in Calgary and this was in Victoria) so I didn’t attend any of the festivities.

Here is a short video of some of her performance:

image via Flickr – Ianiv and Arieanna Schweber

Post from: Canadian Music News

Molson Canadian loves their fellow countrymen so they’ve created a website where you can access videos of never before scenes from the parties that had everyone talking!  Wanna see ‘em?  Yeah, me too!  Click here to get in on the action!

image credit: MuchMusic

Post from: Canadian Music News