Every single one of us could use some mercy now. That refrain sung three times to end Mary Gauthier’s most-covered song, “Mercy Now,” is simple, yet, those 10 words say so much. The title-cut from th...

These past chats with Daniel Lanois offer wise words on art and beauty

On the healing power of live music and the voice we all need

YouTube video by CBC Music

RIP to singer-songwriter Chip Taylor, who passed away earlier this week at 86. Here’s a never-before published conversation I had with the member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2016).

Canadian Contralto Portia White a true trailblazer

Great White North & Strange Brew celebrate 44 3/4 years of hoser history

In a world where every day we wake up to another headline that makes us shake our collective heads, get rage-baited by some stranger on social media—that, for all we know, might be a bot—we all need m...

A look back at some of my favourite concerts of 2025

As Little Lorraine hits the big screen

The Bloor Street West concert hall has been celebrating its anniversary with a special concert series.

On his 1965 album 'Highway 61 Revisited,' Bob Dylan ushered in a new sound — blending folk and rock to create a magnum opus that remains a touchstone for artists. As the GRAMMY Hall of Fame album turn...

Hayes Carll is done pretending, done chasing the wrong dreams for the wrong reasons. From deep-rooted insecurities and fears too long ingrained in his brain to following its “long-winded fountain of u...

Over a career that spanned 70 years, Jimenez' playing came to define the Tex-Mex music and carried the tradition-drenched conjuto sound all over the world and across genres.

The Black Sabbath frontman, Godfather of Metal and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honoree passed away on July 22 at age 76.

Southern gifts for good reading, listening and living. Curated by the editors of Oxford American magazine. All purchases support The Oxford American Literary Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Beach Boys co-founder, arranger and co-writer of the group’s chart-topping hits "I Get Around," "Help Me, Rhonda," and "Good Vibrations" passed away on June 11 at age 82.

With renaissance man Steve Earle joining the Grand Ole Opry, revisit a feature I wrote about the award-winning songwriter a decade ago

New feature film a candid and intimate affair

The Dakota Tavern joins a too long list of Toronto bars where the music has died

Millions of books and scientific papers are captured in the collection’s current iteration.

These past chats with Daniel Lanois offer wise words on art and beauty

“Memory produces hope in the same way that amnesia produces despair.”- Walter Brueggemann

Discover local Canadian indie bookstores near you! Support communities, find hidden gems, and explore unique books nationwide at IndieBookstores.ca.

Music is the elixir of life. Author: Massey Hall; The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern: A Complete History; 101 Fascinating Canadian Music Facts. Bylines: GRAMMY.com, SOCAN.ca, Toronto Star, The Globe & Mai...