Richard Trapunski

1 week ago | ca.billboard.com | Richard Trapunski

FYIThe Canadian Music Hall of Fame: Class of 2025 exhibition is accessible with paid admission to Studio Bell and will run from May 7 until February 20, 2026. More info here. A Studio Bell exhibit about Sum 41, also new Hall of Fame inductees, opened on March 26. Festivals The Stan Rogers Folk Festival has announced Level on the Level - A Celebration of John Prine will kick off Stanfest’s Mainstage shows, in Canso, Nova Scotia on Thursday, July 24.

1 week ago | billboard.com | Richard Trapunski |Kerry Doole |Rosie Long Decter

Billboard Canada is getting ready to spotlight some of the most vital players in the music industry: music managers. Managers to Watch — Billboard’s spotlight on the teams behind music’s biggest breakout artists — will expand to Canada for the first time at this year’s NXNE festival. A special invite-only Managers to Watch reception will take place on June 11, directly before Billboard Canada Power Players.

1 week ago | ca.billboard.com | Richard Trapunski

Departure Festival has resolved its dispute with Canadian Music Week (CMW) founder Neill Dixon. Dixon sold CMW to Oak View Group and Canadian music company Loft Entertainment last year and announced his retirement, but subsequently filed a lawsuit for breach of contract and unpaid sale fees. Now, Dixon has shared that the situation has been rectified. He declined to comment on the status of the lawsuit, but confirmed that the situation was resolved.

2 weeks ago | ca.billboard.com | Richard Trapunski |Rosie Long Decter |Yasmine Seck

Also this week, DJ/production duo The Halluci Nation (formerly A Tribe Called Red) release Path Of The Baby Face, featuring a guest turn from Bret 'The Hitman' Hart. Other notable releases this week include Indigenous artist Digawolf with Trapline, much-talked about singer-songwriter Bells Larsen with Blurring Time, and singer-songwriter Braden Lam with The Cloudmaker's Cry).

1 month ago | billboard.com | Rosie Long Decter |Kerry Doole |Chris Eggertsen |Richard Trapunski

Canadian music is good for more than just the economy — it’s central to the country’s national identity. That’s the crux of a new open letter written by Erin Benjamin, president/CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association. The letter anticipates the Canadian federal election on April 28 and advocates for elected officials to understand the cultural significance of music to the country.