August 27, 2012
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett's got a history of big records: he was the only singer to ever truly rival Frank Sinatra. His first big hit, 'Because of You', was 60 years ago. But for a few decades, his career wasn't going so well. His sales dwindled, he was left without a record label, and for awhile, he lost his way. His marriage broke down, he got into drugs... and it wasn't until 1979 when a cocaine overdose nearly killed him that Tony woke up hungry for a new beginning. And with the help of his son Danny, Tony made one of the most successful comebacks in the history of music. Tony celebrated his 85th birthday with a new record called 'Duets 2'. It went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making Tony the oldest living male act ever to find himself at the top.
August 27, 2012
Eugene Levy
Eugene Levy's not often the main character in the movie, but the minute he shows up, you know he's gonna steal the show. Of course, Eugene's not just in movies, he writes them too. He and Christopher Guest have teamed up on story lines for four mainly-improvised comedies - like the classic Waiting for Guffman, and A Mighty Wind. Eugene won a Grammy for that film, and it also starred his longtime friend Catherine O'Hara from SCTV, a show that became a huge influence on the next generation of comedians. Eugene's also worked extensively with Gilda Radner. Since her death from cancer in 1989, Gilda's Club was established to provide social and emotional support to people whose lives have been touched by cancer. Their annual gala is called 'It's Always Something' and this year, Eugene takes the stage alongside some of this country's funniest people to raise money and pay tribute to a friend.
August 27, 2012
Lang Lang
In China, the term 'best' translates to 'number 1'. Since he was just two years old, Lang Lang has strived to be just that. Born in 1982, in Shenyang, China, he was inspired by certain piano-pounding cat named Tom (of Tom and Jerry fame), and found he had a natural panache for performing at an early age. At nine, moved to Beijing to study at China's Central Conservatory. By the age of 17, Lang had won every major competition in China, and moved to the U.S. to start a professional career. He studied at the Curtis Institute of Music and soon was performing at Carnegie Hall, The White House, and the Opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympics. Now, at 29, Lang wants to reach out to young people and inspire pop interest in classical music. Although some critics find his style too flashy, Lang is out to prove that showmanship and popularity can go hand-in-hand with classical precision.
August 27, 2012
Whosarmy
Whosarmy won last year's 'Cover Me Canada', with their covers of 'Hallelujah', 'Ironic', and 'The Weight' bringing down the house. Super-producer Ron Fair said of Whosarmy, "They are not afraid of challenging themselves and they always respected the spirit of the songs they were performing". High praise from a major figure in Canadian music. Their big win means the band has some new weapons in its arsenal: $100,000 and a recording contract for their first original single for radio, 'Alive', which was co-written by Chantal Kreviazuk. Things are looking up for the future of Whosarmy.
August 28, 2012
Ron MacLean
It may not be our official national sport, but hockey is the pastime that most clearly unites us as a nation - and no vision of Canadian hockey would be complete without the dynamic duo of Don Cherry and Ron MacLean. Every Saturday night, millions of Canadians look to Ron for his level-headed, gently funny commentary and insights. Alongside his firebrand friend, Ron has become a national symbol. He's won 10 Geminis for his work on Hockey Night in Canada, and he's showing no sign of slowing down.
August 28, 2012
Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall says people are often disappointed when they realize she's not Samantha Jones, the character that really put the sex in Sex and the City. But even if Kim's not as over-the-top as Samantha, she certainly has her drive. Look at her latest film choices since the series has ended: She worked with Roman Polanski on The Ghost Writer, and played an unglamorous, aging porn star in Meet Monica Velour. Today, Kim's Broadway bound, starring as a woman who falls in love with her ex-husband (played by Paul Gross) in the Noel Coward classic Private Lives. The play takes Kim back to her roots in the theatre, and, just like Sex and the City, challenges our ideas about love, marriage and happiness.
August 28, 2012
Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach is a passionate guy - it's part of the reason he's been able to make such energetic, heavy rock. In the 80s and 90s, Sebastian toured the world with his band, Skid Row, selling more than 20 million albums worldwide. Now, he continues to create new music as a successful solo artist. But, 11 years ago, while doing an interview with a young George Stroumboulopoulos, Sebastian's passion lead to a dramatic scene: Sebastian actually walked out on George part way through their conversation, after an unappreciated reference to the band Poison. George and Sebastian haven't spoken since, and have never been able to patch things up; now, they'll finally get their chance. Plus, there's plenty to talk about: Sebastian's got a new record, 'Kicking & Screaming', which was written in the wake of a divorce and Sebastian losing his house to Hurricane Irene.
August 28, 2012
Ohbijou
Last September, Toronto-based six-piece Ohbijou released their third album, 'Metal Meets', featuring more of their signature heartfelt love songs wrapped up in complex arrangements. The vast landscapes and beautiful melodies on the record are inspired by the band's journey to a cabin on the Bruce Peninsula - where they wrote the record - as well as their experiences on the road as a touring band. We're excited to welcome to the show a band that is coming into its own as talented and honest musicians.
August 29, 2012
Mark Ruffalo
It wasn't that long ago that Mark Ruffalo thought he'd given up acting for good. He felt burnt out by Hollywood and scarred by the death of his brother, who died tragically a year earlier. Mark got rid of his agent and publicist and moved his family to a rural community in upstate New York. Just one project remained: 'The Kids Are All Right.' He thought it would be his acting swan song, but the role - which won him an Oscar nod - rekindled his love for acting. And just as his career was gathering steam he developed a rare brain tumour that left his face partially paralyzed for 10 months. Not only did he think it was the end of his career, but maybe his life. Mark says the experience ultimately changed his life for the better - he returned to work fully recovered, with a renewed sense of perspective and appreciation. It also gave him the courage to become a determined and (sometimes controversial) environmental activist; he supported the Occupy movement, took his kids to Washington to protest the KeystoneXL pipeline, and founded a nonprofit organization called Water Defense. Now he's bringing the whole 'green' thing to the next level in his new movie, 'The Avengers.' Mark plays The Hulk in the star-studded superhero blockbuster, and surprisingly, says he found some parallels between himself and the green, angry monster.
August 29, 2012
Kathleen Turner
Kathleen Turner has made it her mission to prove that Hollywood leading ladies don't have to be "ladylike" at all - and she's done it her way. For the last 3 decades, she's made her name on the screen and on the stage playing passionate, provocative, fearless (and often very funny) women. Kathleen made an unforgettable, red-hot screen debut as the ruthless Matty Walker in 'Body Heat' in 1981. But she wanted to be more than just a "femme fatale" and followed that with a comedy, 'The Man with Two Brains'. After that, her career was on fire: "Romancing the Stone', 'Prizzi's Honor' (both of which nabbed her Golden Globe Awards), 'Peggy Sue Got Married', 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'. But in the 90's Kathleen was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and she turned to alcohol to help deal with the constant pain. By 2005, Kathleen made a comeback in the Tony-nominated play 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf'... published a juicy memoir, appeared nude in the play 'The Graduate,' and acted in films like 'The Virgin Suicides'. Over the years, Kathleen's been a fierce advocate for women's reproductive rights & Planned Parenthood. Now she's back on stage in a new production of 'High': Kathleen plays a no-nonsense nun who grapples with faith, redemption and human fallibility in her efforts to help a young addict face the truth.
August 29, 2012
Charley Pride
Here's a tip: don't tell Charley Pride what he can't do; he will almost certainly find a way to prove you wrong. Born to poor sharecroppers in Mississippi, the fourth of 11 children, Charley grew up with a steadfast belief that even the most unlikely dreams could come true. Initially, Charley set out to be professional baseball player, and he almost made it - he even played in the American Negro League, before segregated baseball leagues disappeared. Along with a sense of determination, Charley picked up a love of music, and taught himself to play guitar. His favourite genre was always country, so when Charley decided to be a professional musician, there was no question what type of music he would play. In succeeding, Charley broke long-standing racial barriers, and earned his place as a living legend in country music. Now, Charley Pride is setting out on a cross-Canada tour, still satisfying audiences more than five decades into a remarkable career.
August 29, 2012
Cadence Weapon
Rollie Pemberton, AKA Cadence Weapon, has hip hop in his blood: his father Teddy was a pioneering DJ on CJSR-FM in Edmonton, spinning hip hop, electro, and funk for his listeners, and Rollie started rapping at the age of 13. He hasn't looked back - he attended journalism school briefly, but dropped out to pursue music full time. His skills on the mic have led him to big critical acclaim, with his two official full-lengths and three mixtapes gaining him fans and kudos, but his influence stretches beyond music as well: he was Edmonton's poet laureate from 2009 to 2011. Cadence Weapon continues to make his voice heard both on and off the mic as an ambassador for literature, and he'll be snagging even more ears with his next record, 'Hope In Dirt City'.
August 30, 2012
Tommy Hunter
For 27 years, 'The Tommy Hunter Show', broadcast on CBC, created Canada's version of the Grand Ole Opry, with guests such as Johnny Cash, Hank Snow and Tommy's personal hero, Roy Acuff. Tommy even had a 14-year-old Shania Twain on his show, back when she was known simply as Eilleen Twain. Since the show's cancellation in 1992, Tommy focused on touring across the country, but now he's made a big decision: He's going to hang up his guitar after one last show on his 75th birthday in his hometown of London, Ont. Once Canada's Country Gentleman takes his last bow, it'll truly be the end of an era.
August 30, 2012
Jamie Oliver
We first knew Jamie Oliver as the Naked Chef. Then, he turned us on to healthy eating with his Food Revolution. Now he's crossing into new territory, literally, with a new cookbook, Jamie Oliver's 'Food Escapes', focusing on the cuisine of Sweden, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Morocco. To Jamie, it's not just about recipes, but how we can use food to draw people together: Bring people to the table, break a little bread, and maybe learn a bit about each other in the process.
August 30, 2012
Jason Segel
Back when Jason Segel was in high school, his drama teacher gave him some advice: The best actor in the world is doing dinner theatre somewhere, so if you ever start to feel entitled... don't. It's a lesson that stuck with Jason, even as he went from lanky teenager to one of Hollywood's funniest humans. When he was just 18, Jason was cast in the NBC show 'Freaks and Geeks'. Despite some serious talent, the show was cancelled after just one season.The years that followed were a low point for Jason's career, but it also forced him to focus on his writing, and become a better actor. Eventually, he landed a spot on 'How I Met Your Mother', made a memorable turn in 'Knocked Up', and then, his breakthrough: he wrote and starred in 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall', a film that exposed Jason to a whole new audience. Now, with more creative freedom, Jason is able to do the kind of work he always wanted - and, as it turns out, what he really wanted was to work with The Muppets. For Jason, it's an opportunity to help revive his childhood heroes, and an indication of how far he's come.
August 30, 2012
Blitzen Trapper
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, experimental alternative country-folk band Blitzen Trapper have been making music together since 2006. The sextet has gotten critical acclaim for their eclectic style and unique approach to writing catchy but unexpected tunes. Their latest record is called 'American Goldwing'.
August 31, 2012
Alan Doyle
When Alan Doyle was 15-years old, he made the biggest purchase of his young life; he borrowed 300 bucks from his teacher and bought himself a guitar. It proved to be a solid investment. Almost 20 years after Alan started performing in the rowdy dockside pubs of St. John's, his band, Great Big Sea, is still one of the most beloved and enduring groups in Canadian music history. Among their fans is 'The Gladiator' himself, Russell Crowe. Russell and Alan met at the NHL awards a few years back and became fast friends. Alan has helped Russell with his music career, and the two even collaborated on an album, 'The Crowe/Doyle Songbook'. When Russell was looking for someone to round out his cast of Merry Men in Ridley Scott's 'Robin Hood', he turned to his Canadian friend. Alan returned the favour last year, when he landed Russell a part alongside Newfoundland's other famous Allan (Hawko), in 'Republic of Doyle'. While he's proud of his acting, Alan's still a musician through and through. His newest album, 'Boy on Bridge', is his first-ever solo effort. He says it represents the culmination of the musical journey he's been on since his days playing on the lanes and seashore of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland.
August 31, 2012
Dominic Monaghan
So, you remember that crazy little fella Merry Brandybuck from 'Lord of the Rings'? In a trilogy that intense, that epic (and that long), Merry was the comic relief. And the guy who played him, Dominic Monaghan - well, he's pretty much the same way. In fact, he's got a pretty solid rep as a prankster - maybe you saw him play this famous practical joke on Elijah Wood over satellite... The Rings movies made him a star. And, still only in his mid-20s, Dom found himself partying a little too hard, and lost in L.A. Luckily, he found himself only to get Lost again. Dom had a good run on as Charlie Pace, playing a rocker battling addiction and fighting for survival. His latest film takes that theme to the next level. It's called 'The Day', and it asks a difficult question: In a moment of total desperation, how far would you go to survive?
August 31, 2012
Olympia Dukakis
For those of you who think, "Actors don't do meaningful work," consider the career of Olympia Dukakis: Olympia's characters have changed minds, challenged stereotypes, fought bullies and been a voice for the disenfranchised. They are tough, proud, vulnerable and human, kinda like the actor herself. Olympia spent years as a theater actor before the role that would change her life. In 1988, she won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for 'Moonstruck', the same year her cousin Michael was running for President (he lost, to George H.W. Bush). After that, Olympia had every actor's most coveted luxury: choice. And, she's used it in commendable ways: Olympia has played countless resilient characters, and her latest movie is no exception. In 'Cloudburst', Olympia plays one half of an aging lesbian couple, who leaves the United States and comes to Canada to get married. It's a rare character, not often represented on film, delivered by a rare caliber of actor.
August 31, 2012
Wintersleep
Ten years into their career, this Halifax quartet have honed their unique blend of indie-rock. After a handful of high-profile opening slots (Paul McCartney, Ron Sexsmith, Sam Roberts and Broken Social Scene), four records and a 2008 Juno for Best New Group, they've managed to lead a career that's the opposite of what their moniker may suggest. Composed of Loel Campbell, Paul Murphy & Tim D'Eon, they hit the legendary Tarbox Road Studios in upstate New York for their new album to flesh out a new chapter of their catalogue. And with that LP, entitled 'Hello Hum', those infectious-melodies are back with full force.
Previous Next
@Strombodotcom