For many people, thoughts of being a performer generally goes one of two ways. Either people absolutely have a passion for it, or they positively dread the idea of standing before a crowd. When it came to Penny Ford, she knew at a very young age that she was destined to be a singer.

The urge, passion and desire to be a singer was so intense that she remembers thinking, “if I don’t do this, I’m going to die.”

Anyone with a burning desire, a need that fills their body, mind and soul, can relate to the sentiment. It’s human nature to bring forth dreams and passions, manifesting them into reality. The trick has always been to overcome the obstacles, intrinsic and external, in order to become what one is meant to be.

There’s nothing like good music and caffeine to get you pumped up in the morning. Then hit theroad and enjoy a little sunshine, fresh air blowing through your car windows, and the fun has begun.

Fun was the entire point when Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson and Ricky Wilson played together in an impromptu session at a Chinese restaurant in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. Ultimately, they formed the wildly famous B-52s who wrote and performed the hit track, “Love Shack.”

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but its the stories carried in song that are passed on through the generations. There’s an effervescence in singing that can reach into the depths of our souls and pull forth emotions and memories that have perhaps been long forgotten; and cultures across the globe have endowed their descendants with music through every struggle, pain, praise and celebration.

So, when opportunities arise and the doors are flung open the only thing left to do is walk through them.

Liz Mitchell, of Boney M, remembers first performing at seven years old. Despite the general anxiety that came up before reciting — now called rapping — the end was gratifying as the audience was receptive.

For many people, thoughts of being a performer generally goes one of two ways. Either people absolutely have a passion for it, or they positively dread the idea of standing before a crowd. When it came to Penny Ford, she knew at a very young age that she was destined to be a singer.

The urge, passion and desire to be a singer was so intense that she remembers thinking, “if I don’t do this, I’m going to die.”

Anyone with a burning desire, a need that fills their body, mind and soul, can relate to the sentiment. It’s human nature to bring forth dreams and passions, manifesting them into reality. The trick has always been to overcome the obstacles, intrinsic and external, in order to become what one is meant to be.

The musical world is full of steep mountains to climb: some people manage to reach the top, others turn back, and some perish along the way… just like climbing literal mountains. How many musicians quit when the going gets tough?

Deep inside the Iron Curtain was a world onto itself, separate from the influences of the west. Russia was a bleak grey as if the country had no coloured paint while the housing district could only be described as slums. Deprived of the vast array of colours the world has to offer, the rows upon rows of darkened, musky grey buildings and homes inside the Iron Curtain would leave the remark, “dystopian.”

Andrew Gouché, world renowned bassist, has played all over the world and jokes Antarctica is likely the only continent he has yet to visit.  

Meet somebody who’s been out of the spotlight for a while that’s coming back in full force. His name is Aldo Nova and he’s known for his song writing, his virtuoso guitar playing, and all-around ability to produce an album all by himself, playing all the instruments, engineering and mixing it to boot.

Turns out waiting thirty years to come out of a self-imposed hiatus has paid off for Aldo. In 2020 he started doing revamped live home studio versions of his classic songs for COVID 19 attracting his old fans and new ones who had never heard of him before leaving them wondering,

His father never wanted him to be a musician. He would have preferred he graduate university as a real estate lawyer, an accountant, anything but a musician. But something inside Tim Bonhomme was hardwired for music. Tim grew up in Val Caron, Ontario just outside of Sudbury. He along with his six siblings moved to New Sudbury on Gary Street when he was a small boy. He remembers Rosemary Park and skating so long his toes ached when he finally submitted to the cold and returned home to have mom’s hot chocolate.

The familiar sounds of Solomon Burke’s gravelly and passionate voice can be heard on the radio, television and films. Rhythm-and-Blues is a type of music that features the lively, upbeat mix of soul, jazz and the blues. It began rising in popularly, often said to be post-war, in the 1940s. This style originates in the African-American community and is considered a precursor to rock and roll.

Even if you don’t recognize Burke’s name, you’re sure to know his top hits: Cry to Me, If You Need Me, Got to Get You Off My Mind, Down in the Valleyand Everybody Needs Somebody to Love.