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Sale of Sun Media Corporation’s English-language Operations to Postmedia Closes

Quebecor announced that it has closed the sale of Sun Media Corporation’s English-language businesses to Postmedia Network, announced on October 6, 2014, for a cash consideration of $305.5 million. The figure represents the purchase price of $316 million minus $10.5 million for customary adjustments and adjustments related to real estate properties sold by Sun Media Corporation prior to closing.

The Competition Bureau cleared the sale on March 25, 2015. The transaction includes more than 170 newspapers and publications, the Canoe portal in English Canada, part of the national sales team based in Toronto, and the Islington, Ontario printing plant.

TSN Shares the Inspirational Story of Hockey Fan Jonathan Pitre in THE BUTTERFLY CHILD

TSN’s James Duthie explores the relentless determination of hockey fan Jonathan Pitre in the TSN Original Feature THE BUTTERFLY CHILD. Pitre suffers from a rare genetic skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa, known as EB, which is regarded as one of the most painful conditions known to modern medicine.

Filmed on location at Pitre’s home in Russell, Ont., THE BUTTERFLY CHILD reveals the daily battle Pitre faces, all the while displaying positivity, resiliency, and maturity far beyond his 14 years despite the agony of his constant pain.  A passionate hockey fan ever since he was young, specifically of his hometown team, the Ottawa Senators, Pitre has channeled his fierce desire to play hockey into becoming a sportscaster.

Shortly after Pitre shared his story with Andrew Duffy of the Ottawa Citizen, the sports community reached out to help him realize his dreams. He signed a one-day pro scouting contract with the Senators on November 20, 2014. Last December, TSN host James Duthie invited Pitre to join the TSN Hockey panel and play the role of sportscaster during the network’s live broadcast of an Ottawa Senators game. Pitre became an instant star, confidently sharing his thoughts and analysis with gusto and charming both the TSN Hockey panel and hockey fans alike (visit TSN.ca to watch Pitre’s appearance from the evening of December 11, 2014).

THE BUTTERFLY CHILD is fronted by Duthie, who formed a bond with young man following his appearance on the panel.

THE BUTTERFLY CHILD will be available for streaming on TSN.ca and TSN GO after it premieres tonight at 6 p.m. ET on SPORTSCENTRE.

Bell Media’s MuchFACT Announces Fund Recipients for April, 2015

Bell Media’s MuchFACT (A Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) announced today the 28 fund recipients from the April 9, 2015 music committee meeting. With more than 293 applications considered, a total of $614,400 was awarded to Canadian musicians in the following categories: Music Content Package, Music Videos, Online Music Video/Project, and Digital Tools.

MuchFACT continues to support artists and their music through funding creative content which can be used across television and online platforms. Recently, the MuchFACT funded Timber Timbre’s “Beat the Drum Slowly” video was awarded the grand prize at this year’s Prism Prize.

MuchFACT fund recipients from the April 9, 2015 music committee meeting are as follows:

MUSIC CONTENT PACKAGE
Belly – “On Everything ft. French Montana” and “White Girls ft. Travi$ Scott”
The Zolas – “Molotov Girls”

MUSIC VIDEO
Adam K. – “Reverse Nation”
Brave Shores – “Surf’s Up”
Dan Talevski –“Guilty As Sin”
Felix Cartal – “Something to Live For”
Francesco Yates – “Time Machine”
Honey Cocaine – “Honeydick”
Jazz Cartier – “When It’s Over”
John River – “Get Down”
Kate Morgan – “Extra Ordinary”
Patrick Watson – “Good Morning Mr. Wolf”
Purity Ring – “Begin Again”
Shi Wisdom ft. Arpan & Sanjeev – “Start Up Yet”
Sickick – “Fire & Rayn”
SonReal – “Whoa Nilly”
The OBGMs – “Pill”

ONLINE MUSIC VIDEO / PACKAGE
A Tribe Called Red – “Suplex”
Coleman Hell – “Sitcom”
Elliot Maginot – “Survival”
Eminence – “Turn Me Down ft. Anna Cyzon”
Harrison – “How Can it be”
SayWeCanFly – “The Distance That Took You Away”
Tasha the Amazon – “My Level”
Tristam – “Crave”

DIGITAL TOOLS
Exeter
Fucked Up
Paper Lions

Bell Media’s MuchFACT has helped to launch the careers of some of Canada’s best and brightest artists, including A Tribe Called Red, Arcade Fire, Arkells, Barenaked Ladies, Carly Rae Jepsen, Celine Dion, Down With Webster, Dragonette, Feist, Grimes, k.d. lang, Keys N Krates, k-os, Majiid Jordan, Matt Mays, Metric, Mother Mother, Nelly Furtado, Sam Roberts, Serena Ryder, The Tragically Hip, and many more. MuchFACT has also had a great impact on developing Canadian directors, many of whom have gone on to direct award-winning music videos, as well as feature films and documentaries.

The next deadline for submitting MuchFACT applications is Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applications can be submitted at www.muchfact.ca.

U.S. Music Consumption Up 14 % in First Quarter, Streams Make Up Losses in Sales

From Billboard:

Large increases in audio and video streaming drove a big increase in first-quarter music consumption, according to Nielsen Music.

The improvement stems from large increases in streaming activity, which drove music consumption in the United States up 14 percent in the first quarter, according to Nielsen Music. Notably, the streaming gains were able to cover any losses in physical and digital sales.

Total streams increased 90.6 percent in the quarter. Video streams jumped 109.9 percent to 35.84 billion. Audio streams rose 71.4 percent to 29.49 billion. Total streams accounted for 33 percent of total equivalent albums, up from 19.7 percent in the first quarter of 2014. (All key streaming services other than Pandora are included in Nielsen’s streaming numbers.)

Digital sales fell slightly. Track sales fell 10.9 percent and digital album sales rose 2.8 percent. Total digital sales, measured as digital album equivalents, fell 4.4 percent and accounted for 42.8 percent of total equivalent albums, down from 60 percent a year earlier.

Physical albums also fell. They had a modest decline of 5.6 percent and accounted for 24.2 percent of total equivalent albums, down from 29.3 percent in the prior-year period.

David Letterman Announces Final Guests, Including Tom Waits, Mumford And Sons

David Letterman, the longest-running host in late night history at 33 years, will begin his final 28 broadcasts of the LATE SHOW tonight, with a star-studded lineup of entertainment guests making their final appearances with him. As previously announced, his final LATE SHOW broadcast is Wednesday, May 20 (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Some of the biggest names in entertainment will make their final appearances with Letterman over the next six weeks, including George Clooney, Robert Downey, Jr., Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Tom Hanks, Jack Hanna, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Keaton, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Sarah Jessica Parker, Don Rickles, Julia Roberts, Ray Romano, Paul Rudd, Jerry Seinfeld, Martin Short, Howard Stern, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Oprah Winfrey, The Avett Brothers and Brandi Carlile, Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews Band, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Mumford and Sons, Tom Waits, Ralph Stanley and Amos Lee, and many more names to be announced in the coming weeks.

Guests confirmed for the week of April 13 include Sarah Jessica Parker, 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth and music guests Asleep at the Wheel (April 13); Billy Crystal, THE TALK co-host Julie Chen, and country music artist and “50th Academy of Country Music Awards” nominee Chris Stapleton (April 14); Michael J. Fox, actress Amy Sedaris and musical guests Iron & Wine and Ben Bridwell (April 15); Kevin James, comedian Tom Dreesen, and musical guest Tracy Chapman (April 16); and Alec Baldwin and musical guest John Mayer (April 17).

Video: Run The Jewels Give Teenage Girls Advice On Love & Dating

Some advice requires one to go to an elder, a teacher, a family member or a friend. Sometimes you go to the religious route and ask a Rabbi or a Reverend. And sometimes, to make sense out of the game of love, you can go to Killer Mike and El-P of Run The Jewels, who participated in Rookie’s “Ask A Grown Man” series.

Ask a Grown Man: Run the Jewels from Rookie on Vimeo.

41 Years of Music Industry Change, In 41 Seconds

From Digital Music News:

This is US-based data, and each pie represents 100% of total recording revenue. Each image was created by the RIAA, using their shipments and revenue database.

The ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL Announces Official 2015 Artist Line-Up

The world’s biggest heavy music touring festival, the ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL enters its eighth year with another fantastic heavy metal and hard rock line-up, featuring 13 bands performing on the ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAIN STAGE and the VICTORY RECORDS STAGE.

The ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAIN STAGE will feature some of the most ground-breaking heavy bands of all time, spanning the originating years of heavy metal to today! The main stage will feature five-time-nominated, two-time Grammy winning legends Slayer as headliner, as well as additional performances from King Diamond, HELLYEAH, and The Devil Wears Prada. The VICTORY RECORDS STAGE will feature headliner Whitechapel as well as Thy Art Is Murder, Jungle Rot, Sister Sin, Sworn In, Shattered Sun, Feed Her To The Sharks, Code Orange and Kissing Candice.

Kerry King, guitarist of ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAIN STAGE headliners Slayer states, “I don’t know if third time will be a charm, but it will definitely be hellish! Slayer and King Diamond on stage for the first time together in the States- NEVER has Mayhem been more evil. DON’T FUCKIN’ MISS IT.”

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAIN STAGE performer and heavy metal hellion King Diamond states, “This is going to be one hot and hellish summer! Slayer and King Diamond on the same stage – it does not get more devilish than this! We will be putting on a one hour set with the full King Diamond stage production. As for a set list, I’m not gonna reveal that here, but it will be built around “Dreams of Horror”. The Puppet Master will be there with Grandma, and we will even go as far back in time as to 1777 (hint). You’re all in for one hell of a show if you come to this Sabbath!”

“It has been eight years and it feels like it started just yesterday. We are so excited about this year’s lineup and having the mighty Slayer back in support of a new album. In addition, the first time for King Diamond and HELLYEAH will be awesome, as well as The Devil Wears Prada’s first time on the Main Stage.  The Victory Stage has amazing bands and will play throughout the day.  Heavy music is thriving in America and we are excited to be  a part of it,” state John Reese and Kevin Lyman, ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL producers.

Read the RollingStone.com Exclusive Line-Up Announcement with a Special Video from Headliners Slayer Here

Tickets for the ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL go on sale beginning April 17th at 10:00am local time. Please note – Houston, TX tickets go on sale on April 24th at 10:00am local time. General Admission Festival and Lawn Tickets are only $19.99 including all fees for the first 72 hours of onsale (while supplies last).

The festival will kick off on June 26th at Sleep Train Amphitheater in San Diego, CA and ends at Gexa Energy Amphitheater in Dallas, TX on August 2nd. See below for all confirmed tour dates.

2015 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL:

6/26 – San Diego, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheater
6/27 – San Bernardino, CA @ San Manuel Amphitheater
6/28 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheater
6/30 – Auburn, WA (Seattle) @ White River Amphitheater
7/1 – Boise, ID @ Idaho Center Amphitheater
7/3 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Amphitheater
7/4 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
7/5 – Denver, CO @ Red Rocks
7/7 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Harrah’s Council Bluffs
7/8 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
7/10 – Noblesville, IN (Indianapolis) @ Kilpsch Amphitheater
7/11 – Clarkston, MI (Detroit) @ DTE Energy Amphitheate
7/12 – Tinley Park, IL (Chicago) @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
7/15 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
7/17 – Camden, NJ (Philadelphia) @ Susquehanna Bank Arts Center
7/18 – Burgettstown, PA (Pittsburgh) @ First Niagara Pavilion
7/19 – Hartford, CT @ Xfinity Theatre
7/21 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
7/22 – Gilford, NH @ Meadowbrook (Bank of NH Pavilion)
7/24 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
7/25 – Boston, MA @ Xfinity Center
7/26 – Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach
7/29 – Atlanta, GA @ Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood
7/31 – San Antonio, TX @ Whitewater Amphitheater
8/1 – Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
8/2 – Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Amphitheater

 

* Lineups in each city may vary.  Go to www.rockstarmayhemfest.com for full lineup details.

Canadian progressive metal band AURAS has signed a deal with Entertainment One Music / Good Fight Music

Canadian progressive metal band AURAS has signed a deal with Entertainment One Music / Good Fight Music with plans to release Crestfallen, an all new EP on May 5th, 2015.  “We are proud to announce that we have signed with Good Fight/eOne Music! We are super excited and look forward to working with such amazing teams!,” says guitarist Josh Ligaya.

The new EP will be the band’s followup to Panacea, which was released in 2013 and is available for  streaming on their official Bandcamp. A standalone single title “Adverse Condition” released just a few months later is also available.

The band recently announced a new batch of tour dates supporting CHON and new label-mate headliners THE CONTORTIONIST. View all tour dates here.

Hailing from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, AURAS is comprised of four friends bound by groove, and centered by a constant pulse. Specializing in adrenaline-clenching polymetric melodies and breakdowns heavier than your average cement truck.

Stephen Hawking Sings Monty Python’s Galaxy Song for Record Store Day

Here is the video for Monty Python’s new single, “Stephen Hawking Sings Monty Python… Galaxy Song” which is available as a digital download from April 1, and on limited edition 7” vinyl on Record Store Day 2015.

The song, which is the title track to “Monty Python – The Meaning of Live”, was originally written for the 1983 film, “Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life”. It has been re-recorded with the lyrics sung by Professor Stephen Hawking.

Written by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, the song is an intricate and informative lecture on the enormity of the Universe fashioned into a bewitching and, above all, highly amusing pop song.

“Galaxy Song” was previously included on the 1989 album “Monty Python Sings”, and included in the 2014 reissue of the album, “Monty Python Sings (again)”, in its original form – sung by Eric Idle – to coincide with Monty Python’s record breaking “Monty Python Live (mostly) – One Down Five to Go” run of 10 live shows at The O2, London. On film during the live shows, Professor Brian Cox berated the scientific inaccuracy of the “Galaxy Song » lyrics before Professor Stephen Hawking knocked him to the ground. Hawking then began reciting the “Galaxy Song” lyrics as he lifted off to journey through outer space. It is this unique rendition of “Galaxy Song” which is now available as a single.

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That Eric Alper
6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week, a 16-time JUNO Award winner overseeing PR campaigns, and have also been truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

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