“My job is to put on a good show. I try to convince a lot of well-meaning, hard-working citizens to participate in the biggest party. We fundraise to throw this party, which is paid for by sponsors and donations, including the City, which donates the venue and a small part of the overhead.”

The New Year’s Eve bash costs about $50,000 – $100,000 to cover talent, production costs, security, lighting, heating (on stage), policing, stage management, and fireworks. The two firework shows alone account for about 20 per cent of the budget.

“It’s a big, big fireworks show that goes on a long time. It’s pretty impressive,” said Plowright. This year’s entertainment includes princesses and superheroes for the younger crowd and bands and singers that appeal to all ages and tastes.

“It’s all local talent – I’m very proud of that,” said Plowright. “We want to promote local, and it keeps the costs down and makes it relatable. We want music those 15,000 people know – various types of music and Canadian favourites from the past 40 years.”

Event manager Mario Circelli has drawn on his experience and network to line up a program of award-winning musicians.

“There are a lot of moving parts,” he said. “We’ve got some of the hottest musicians, not only in London but across the province. It’s a celebration of Canadian music. We selected crowd-pleasing tunes everyone will know.”

The entertainment will flow non-stop on two stages from 7 p.m. to midnight, starting with the Amabile Singers on the main stage, then the Magen Boys on the secondary stage. Behind it all is the 14-member Forest City London Music Awards All-Stars and the four-member Forest City London Music Awards Rap Pack of JR Fillion, Sum 1, Ashley Weisbeck and Alex Ven DJ.

Many of the performers are Forest City London Music Award recipients.

The rock duo Swagger was Fan Favourite last year and bassist Mo has been the bass player chosen for the London Music Awards fantasy band two years in a row; Swagger vocalist Darla Stratton was also last year’s fantasy band vocalist.

Asked how she’ll stay warm on New Year’s Eve, Mo said: “I’m going to run around a lot.”

Known for her energetic performances, that’s no change – but the gloves on stage will be new. She’s been practising with fingerless gloves for the cold.

Stratton is also performing with the All-Stars and bringing tea and honey to stay warm.

“We’re known for being animated,” she said. “We’ve never done a half-hour outside. I’ll do lots of warm-ups ahead.”

Guitarist Greigg Fraser is another member of the All-Stars. His five-man band Howzat’s latest release is Shatter, featuring the single Tell Me. He’s performed with or opened for many Canadian music luminaries such as Rush, Max Webster, the Spoons, Rik Emmett, Skip Prokop, Lawrence Gowan, and Downchild Blues Band.

Jazz singer Denise Pelley is in the Music Hall of Fame. She has performed with guitarist Jess Cook, blues legend Jackie Richardson, opened for Aretha Franklin and has a long list of awards, accolades and honours.

Scott Bollert, best-known as the lead singer in After the Lounge, also joins the All-Stars. “It’s the adrenaline that keeps you warm,” he said. “The crowds are amazing. Going off last year, they show enthusiasm about the great Canadian music we’re performing.”

Brent Jones is adding vocals and keyboards. He runs Quiet Earth Studios on a rural property west of London and is co-founder of Back to the Garden Music and Arts Festival. “This is my first outdoor New Year’s adventure,” he said. “I’ll be singing three songs and joining on harmony on some, playing piano on some. I think it will be fun.”

Some of the other All-Star include drummer Brad ‘Lavard’ Ondrovcik of ’63 Munroe and Twin Fin; drummer Fil Beorchia; John Brocksom, a classically trained multi-instrumentalist; vocalist Anne Moniz; Kate Channer; guitarist Paul Aitken; bassist Paul Loeffelholz; vocalist Tanya Lovell; FCLMA winner Saraina Haggarty and singer/songwriter Alan Charlebois on vocals and guitar.

The winners of the Jack FM Road to New Year’s contest MAD! will also perform.

Plowright said 29 local bands entered and four were selected for a battle of the bands in front of a seven-person panel of judges. The winning trio M.A.D. is made up of two 14-year-olds playing lead and bass guitars and a 12-year-old drummer.

“They will open the show and steal the show,” said Plowright.

For his part, Circelli just wants everyone to have a great time.

“The goal is to make it a complete celebration, fun for the whole family,” he said. “The program is accessible and enjoyable for kids of all ages. I’m passionate about local music. There is no doubt in my mind the musicians we have in the city are as good as any musicians anywhere. This showcases our vibrant music scene.”

Calling local musicians to participate in the “Road to New Year’s Eve” contest organized by Jack 102.3FM. The “Road to New Year’s Eve” could be your road to playing in front of thousands of fans at London biggest and only free New Years celebration. It’s Start.ca New Year’s Eve in the Park and you could be slated to perform Monday, December 31 at Victoria Park opening for the London Music Awards Allstars.

Interested participants just need to submit an entry form including links to two of their songs by November 25. Entry form and more information available at https://www.jack1023.com/ Four semi- finalists will be selected to perform at FitzRays on Wednesday, December 5 for a panel of music industry judges. Semi-finalists will receive FitzRays gift certificates and the winner scores $500 and the opportunity to play at London’s biggest New Year’s celebration.

Start.ca New Year’s Eve in the Park is a community-driven event supported by the City of London. This free, fun and family-friendly event brings thousands of Londoners together to enjoy a magical night filled with entertainment for all ages. More to Do, More to See, More to Celebrate!

Enjoy a curator-led tour of this facility and learn about London’s music history and Hall of Fame inductees – including Guy Lombardo, Tommy Hunter, Garth Hudson, Priscilla Wright and others.

Londoner and drummer Graham Lear (FCLMA Hall of Fame 2018) played with some of the worlds biggest bands; Santana, REO Speedwagon, Gino Vannelli and Paul Anka. Check out his personal road gear.

Saturday and Sunday, September 15-16, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Doors Open London (DOL) is the City of London’s largest collective celebration of history, heritage and culture. In its 17th year, DOL is one of the longest-running community celebrations in Ontario. This year’s event will be themed on History comes alive in London. Come and explore and learn about London’s heritage and hidden gems through re-enactments, live theatre, pop-up interactive plays or other interactive performances.

This unique two-day event is designed for visitors to discover the city, ask questions and reflect as they travel to London’s meaningful places. Sites will be open for exploration free of charge for local residents and visitors. This annual event has become widely recognized as a weekend of communal gathering, celebration and recognition for London’s heritage sector – featuring hands-on interactive activities that invite the public to participate behind the scenes.

https://fclma.ca/class-of-2018/

Acclaimed author Julie Chadwick has a London Music Week date. Chadwick shares tales from The Man Who Carried Cash (Dundurn Press). It’s the inside account of the drama that unfolded as the late Londoner Saul Holiff managed troubled country music superstar Johnny Cash from 1960 – 1973.

Holiff not only “carried Cash” during those tumultuous years, he was the man who brought Johnny and June Carter together. Julie Chadwick is at Brown & Dickson on Saturday, April 14, at noon.

“I was surprised by two things — one, by the depth and intimacy of how they interacted at times; when they worked well together they were so complementary that their partnership was a dream, and led to incredible highs and successes,” Chadwick says in a LondonFuse story about her book. “But independently, they were powerful figures with their own ideas and direction, and when they clashed it was intense and sometimes ugly.

“Secondly, I was impressed by Saul’s sense of vision. In his own business earlier on and with Johnny, he was consistently thinking outside the box.”

Later on Saturday, Chadwick is at a screening of Jonathan Holiff’s My Father & The Man In Black at the Jack Richardson Ballroom followed by a Q&A. It’s a fundraiser for London Music Hall Of Fame.

LMW 2018 winds up Sunday, April 15, with a 7 p.m. gala at the London Music Hall.

And … Saturday, April 14 @ 7:00pm
Ballroom
182 Dundas Street
London, Ontario
Tickets: $20

Special Hometown Screening of “My Father and The Man In Black”
The only inside look at the legendary Johnny Cash, as seen through the eyes of his longtime manager, Londoner Saul Holiff—the man who put Johnny together with June. Hosted by filmmaker Jonathan Holiff, this event is a fundraiser for The Jack Richardson Music Hall of Fame.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/my-father-and-the-man-in-black-exclusive-jrlma-documentary-screening-tickets-43781587908

The Jazz and Classical Music Awards gala was held at Aeolian Hall, where a full house enjoyed several performances by bass-baritone singer Chad Louwerse, Eagle Flight Singers, Laurraine Sigouin, the Mark Swan Quintet and Pride Men’s Chorus London.

The gala was hosted by Aeolian Hall founder Clark Bryan and his husband Bryan Gloyd.

“The talent in this city holds up to anything in Canada” – Mario Circelli

Bryan was elated that his El Sistema Aeolian, which he directs, won the award for Classical Instrumental (Group).

“One of the things we always forget is just how much talent and drive we have in our musicians and London has a lot to celebrate,” said Bryan.

“The only reason I stay at this work is because of that (El Sistema) program.”

Bryan founded El Sistema in 2011, the free, intensive after-school music program based on a program founded in Venezuela in 1975 by conductor José Antonio Abreu, who died last week. There is also a program for adults.

Among the other winners was the Indigenous group, Eagle Flight Singers, who took home the award for world music, and cellist Christine Newland, who took home the classical instrumental solo award. Newland has become a popular musician in the city, often appearing on stage and on recordings for local artists, including rocker Sarah Smith, nominated in the rock category.

Eagle Flight Singers

Mario Circelli, the awards founder, was pleased with the results and looking ahead to the gala for pop and rock and inductions into the London Music Hall of Fame Sunday at London Music Hall.

“The talent in this city holds up to anything in Canada,” said Circelli, a former musician and now a record and video producer.

“People should know about it. Next Sunday is going to be a blast, but the real word to use to describe this whole week is ‘celebration.’”

Other winners of the Jazz and Classical Awards are:
Pride Men’s Chorus London, classical vocal (choir or group); Nicole Tan, classical vocal (solo); 5PGB (Five Piece Groove Band), jazz instrumental (solo or group); and, Hilary Welch, jazz vocal (solo or group).

London Music Week continues Monday at 7 p.m., with Women of London Music, featuring Emm Gryner, Megan Schroder, Camie and Jenn Rayna, at The Angry Goat Public House, 855 Wellington Rd. South. Admission is free.

The FCLMA also operates the London Music Hall Of Fame at 182 Dundas St., London, where the contributions of more than 20 inductees are celebrated.

  JOE BELANGER 

London Free Press

The official opening show is the jazz & classical awards gala on Sunday

April 8 at 7 p.m. More awards and London Music Hall Of Fame inductions take centre stage at the closing gala at the London Music Hall on April 15 at 7 p.m.

But the first sounds of LMW 2018 are heard on the afternoon of Friday April 6 at the Hall Of Fame. The Hall celebrates the big week with extra days open and extended hours. The public and media is invited to join in.

Spicing Friday’s open Hall is a live broadcast by CHRW 94.9 Radio Western’s DJ Mediafrenzy (2 p.m.) and Dave (whatwave) O’Halloran (4 p.m.) from the adjoining Rosewood Lounge.

“Playing a whole set of local tunes, DJ Mediafrenzy invites you to come by, visit the music museum (Hall Of Fame), chat about bands and celebrate the amazing local music talent in this city,” the DJ (Melissa Parrott off-stage) says on her Facebook page.

DJ Mediafrenzy

“Directly after, Radio What Wave (helmed by FCLMA steering committee member O’Halloran) takes over for another two hours of local goodness.”

The weekend launch for LMW 2018 continues on Saturday at the Hall in the afternoon and at the Eastside Bar & Grill when JRLMA award-winners Full Petty Fever have a night-time gig.

Then, the Aeolian Hall gala marks the official opening of LMW 2018. The Eagle Flight Singers. Pride Men’s Chorus, Laurraine Sigouin and Chad Louwerse share the stage. The Aeolian’s executive and artistic director Clark Bryan and its jazz programming curator Bryan Gloyd are co-hosts. The gala is free with admission via an EventBrite “ticket.”

Visit fclma.ca for full 2018 details.

Who comprises the London Music Hall Of Fame’s Class Of 2018? Acclaimed drummer Graham Lear; the late Gordie Tapp, a TV star on many country-music themed shows; and London rocker Doug Varty. Their excellence will be represented alongside more than two dozen peers from London music over the decades in the Hall Of Fame, 182 Dundas St.

Also being honoured: Longtime London promoter Nick Panaseiko is to receive a FCLMA Lifetime Achievement Award. He joins the late Saul Holiff, announced earlier as a 2018 Lifetime Achievement honouree, as a recipient. The three Hall Of Fame inductees and two Lifetime Achievement honourees will be formally recognized during London Music Week 2018, which goes April 8-15.

Hosting this year’s Gala Awards show are rising stars Julia Haggarty and Chad Price

The FCLMA also operates the London Music Hall Of Fame at 182 Dundas St., London, where the contributions of more than 20 inductees are celebrated.

Graham Lear

Doug Varty

Gordie Tapp

The Lifetime Achievement award is presented to an individual who has been an outstanding contributor to the London and area music community over many years. The FCLMA board of directors grants this distinction to thank such people and inspire others to make an impact on the community.

Saul Holiff certainly made an impact. As the manager of U.S. country superstar Johnny Cash from 1960-1973, Holiff helped shape the future of the modern Canadian music industry. He managed the careers of many Canadian artists, including Tommy Hunter and Debbie Lori Kaye — and made London a music business city in the 1960s.

Holiff was among the first to bring live Rock ‘n’ Roll to Canadian audiences, including Bill Haley and His Comets; The Everly Brothers; Buddy Holly; Chuck Berry; and, Jerry Lee Lewis. He also promoted country acts, including Marty Robbins; Kitty Wells; Jimmy Rodgers, Faron Young; and, Johnny Cash (starting in 1958).

In his autobiography, CASH, the singer said: “It was Saul who pushed me to take my show, and my career, to another level. I was perfectly happy where I was, doing what I loved to do and getting paid for it but, after I got to know Saul, I started liking his ideas. Instead of just ballrooms and dance halls, Saul said I should be aiming at Europe, the Orient, and big places in big cities. And that was just the beginning.”

The first Lifetime Achievement Award honouring Londoners who have made an outstanding commitment to music was handed out by a LMA forerunner in 2003. 

Holiff will be honoured at the Awards Gala April 15, part of the 2018 Jack Richardson London Music Week, April 8-15.

The Jack Richardson Music Awards

The not-for-profit Forest City London Music Awards (FCLMA) is a regional music incubator to preserve the rich music history of our region, celebrate the music makers of today and encourage a new generation of musicians.

The FCLMA also operates the Jack Richardson Music Hall Of Fame at 182 Dundas St., London, where the contributions of more than 20 inductees are celebrated.

Creating a February Fever – Johnny & June: Engaged in a Fever February 22, 2018

The London Music Awards (FCLMA) will be heating up February by making it hotter than a pepper sprout. If that sounds like the words to Jackson — the signature song of country superstars June Carter and Johnny Cash — it should. The awards program is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cash’s on-stage proposal to Carter on Feb. 22, 1968 at the old London Gardens with a country music gala 50 years to the day after it happened.

February 22, 2018 at the London Music Hall, LMA presents – Johnny & June: Engaged in a Fever – A 50^th Anniversary Celebration of that Magical Night at the London Gardens, February 22, 1968

Tickets https://www.londonmusichall.com/events/

Guests of honour include W.S “Fluke” Holland, Cash’s drummer who was behind the kit at the iconic 1968 London Gardens show and Tommy Cash, Johnny’s younger brother. JRLMA winners The Marrieds perform a tribute to Johnny and June with guest appearances by Holland and Cash.

 Proud supporter of Johnny & June: Engaged in a Fever

What you need to know:

More London musicians will be joining the show and other guests who know the Cash-Carter-London story will be here on Feb. 22 or during Jack Richardson London Music Week 2018 (April 8-15).

Filmmaker Jonathan Holiff and author Julie Chadwick will be here on April 15 as London and the FCLMA continue to celebrate that hot February night.

JOHNNY & JUNE & LONDON BACKGROUND

• Drummer WS “Fluke” Holland is known around the world as a pioneer

of Rockabilly, Country, Folk and Rock & Roll. His driving “train-like” rhythms and innovative shuffles are distinctively present on dozens of icon-hit records including, Folsom Prison Blues, Ring of Fire, I walk the Line. Boy Named Sue and dozens of other recording by Johnny Cash and The Tennessee3. WS was behind the kit for Cash’s band for the magical night February 22, 1968 at the London Gardens.

• Tommy Cash is the younger brother of Country music icon Johnny Cash. He is an accomplished musician himself. After serving in the Army Tommy played with Hank Williams Jr.. Through his career Tommy scored a number of Billboard hits. In 1969 he delivered his biggest hit, a tune dedicated to JFK, RFK and Martin Luther King entitled, “Six White Horses.” Tommy continues to tour, is a motivational speaker and the voice behind dozens of television commercials.
• Before there was Johnny and June, there was Johnny and Saul … the late Londoner Saul Holiff managed Johnny Cash through the 1960s before parting ways on the Londoner’s terms in 1973.
• It was Saul Holiff who brought June Carter into the Cash touring family in 1961. As the tours continued, Cash and Carter — who were married to others — fell in love.
• June Carter had been married twice, had two children, and had toured for years with her mother, Maybelle, who was part of the original Carter Family, country music pioneers in the 1920s.
• In the early 1960s, June Carter co-wrote Ring of Fire with fellow songwriter Merle Kilgore. Ring Of Fire was about her relationship with Johnny Cash. In 1963, Johnny recorded the song with the Carter Family singing backup, and added horns. The song became a No.1 hit.
• The on-stage proposal came a few years later. Holiff recalled that the country superstar, deeply in love with Carter, kept his plans to propose on stage a secret. Cash kept hinting something big was forthcoming before popping the question on Feb. 22, 1968. Making the proposal on-stage at the London Gardens in Holiff’s hometown was a nod to Holiff’s support of Cash through the Cash-caused disasters of earlier days.
• That night, Carter initially tried frantically to brush off the invitation. She shot back “sing a song, John” and tried to lead the band into the next number on the setlist. Cash stoically waited for an an answer. There were cries of “say yes” from the audience, Carter did accept the proposal. But her “yes” must have been quiet. “They were all a dither for a moment or two, and I don’t think she answered him, or at least not so that we all could hear,” former London-area journalist Ralph Willsey recounted in a story for the Ottawa Citizen in 1998.
• The made-in-London wedding proposal eventually led to one movie with Oscar buzz, an excellent documentary film and a fine book,
• The proposal became a big moment in 2005’s hit biopic Walk The Line, Joaquin Phoenix was Cash. Reese Witherspoon was Carter — and won an Oscar.
• But the location for the proposal was given as “Ontario, Canada” and the beautiful Orpheum Theatre in Memphis provided the fictionalized setting. The 1960s’ hockey barn and London where it really happened were not on screen.
• Much worse, Walk The Line left Saul Holiff out of the story. That odd and hurtful omission helped inspire another film. Setting the record straight is Jonathan Holiff’s terrific documentary film My Father And The Man In Black. London-born Jonathan is the son of Saul Holiff.
• In turn, B.C. author Julie Chadwick was inspired by Jonathan Holiff’s moving film to write The Man Who Carried Cash about the Londoner and the country superstar — and June Carter — teaming to conquer the entertainment world.
• One last Cash and London note. — Londoners will remember the ATM connection to the Man in Black.
  “How many times have you been caught short, and the only thing between you and your money is the clock … you know, Canada Trust has a better idea,” the musician told Canadian TV audiences in a 1985 commercial announcing the rollout of the London-based Canada Trust’s  line of automatic “JohnnyCash” machines.
• June Carter and Johnny Cash died months apart in 2003. Saul Holiff died in 2005.
  • — With files from London Free Press, Postmedia News, Wikipedia, The Guardian

For more information contact James Stewart Reaney 226-268-7063, Scott Bollert 519-494-5518