No. 1 HIT THE TIME OF DAY Gino Vannelli YOU GOTTA LOVE SOMEONE Elton John BETTER NOT TELL HER Carly Simon SHE'S MY BABY Traveling Wilburys YOU'RE AMAZING Robert Palmer HIGH ENOUGH Damn Yankees FREEDOM George Michael TOM'S DINER DNA Featuring Suzanne Vega HARD TO HANDLE Black Crowes KING OF DREAMS Deep Purple KISS ME YOU FOOL Northern Pikes NEW YORK MINUTE Don Henley FULL CIRCLE The Jeff Healey Band TEAR IT UP Michael McDonald SIGNS Tesla AFTER THE RAIN Nelson DGC WEEKLY $3.00 Volume 53 No. 2 November 24, 1990 HITS TO WATCH TIL I AM MYSELF AGAIN Blue Rodeo HANG IN LONG ENOUGH Phil Collins BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (The Postman Song) Stevie B. WHERE LONELINESS LIVES Mae Moore LIFE COULD BE WORSE Barney Bentall LOVE THAT NEVER DIES The Byrds DISAPPEAR INXS THE ROAD The Alarm HOLD ME TENDER Paul Janz MILES AWAY Winger ALBUMS TO WATCH STEVE WINWOOD Refugees Of The Heart RITA MacNEIL Home I'll Be PEBBLES Always GINO VANNELLI Inconsolable Man MADONNA The Immaculate Collection Sire - CD -26440-P PAUL SIMON Rhythm Of The Saints TRAVELING WILBURYS Volume Three BLACK BOX Dreamland ALIAS Alias BETTE MIDLER Some People's Lives WHITNEY HOUSTON I'm Your Baby Tonight VAN MORRISON Enlightenment THE CURE Mixed Up DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES A Change Of Season QUEENSRYCHE Empire COUNTRY TO WRTC11 BLUEBIRD Anne Murray TIL I AM MYSELF AGAIN Blue Rodeo I OUTGREW THE WAGON Ian Tyson DANCE WITH THIS OLD COWBOY Gary Fjellgaard IT WON'T BE ME Tanya Tucker SAY IT'S NOT TRUE Lionel Cartwright SONNY'S DREAM Ron Hynes MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY Alias Capitol AD. 1 ALBUM AC/DC The Razors Edge Atco - 79-14134-P COUNTRY GIRL HEART The Gatlin Brothers YOU CAN ALWAYS COME HOME Richard Berjeron This year's CCMA Vista Award winner, Patricia Conroy, belongs to a new breed which is revitalizing country music. But the WEA artist is proud to call herself a new traditionalist - Page 9
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No. 1 HIT WEEKLY...1990/11/24 · The Immaculate Collection Sire - CD -26440-P PAUL SIMON Rhythm Of The Saints TRAVELING WILBURYS Volume Three BLACK BOX Dreamland ALIAS Alias BETTE
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COUNTRY GIRL HEARTThe Gatlin BrothersYOU CAN ALWAYS
COME HOMERichard Berjeron
This year's CCMA Vista Awardwinner, Patricia Conroy,belongs to a new breed which isrevitalizing country music. Butthe WEA artist is proud to callherself a new traditionalist
- Page 9
2 - RPM - November 24, 1990
Major restructuring for A&M Canada operationJoe Summers, President of A&M Records ofCanada, has announced a restructuring of thecompany.
Bill Ott moves up to the position ofExecutive Vice President, where he will beresponsible for both the sales and marketingdepartments. Ott has been with A&M forfifteen years, the last three as Vice President,Marketing and Sales. His appointment tookeffect Oct. 8.
Lee Silversides, former president ofIsland Records, joins A&M in the newlydefined role of Executive Vice President,A&M/Island Records of Canada. He will beresponsible for administering both the artistdevelopment and publicity departments aswell as continuing to direct the Islandmarketing team. Silversides had enjoyed anassociation of six and a half years withIsland, the last four and a half as president ofthe company. His appointment became effec-tive Oct. 29.
Barbara Fraser joins A&M as NationalPublicity Director, where she will be respon-sible for the operation of all facets of thepublicity department on a national basis.
Top Cancon performersto play Toronto awardsCBC Television will tape the 4th AnnualToronto Music Awards on Dec. 5 andsimulcast the show on Dec. 20. The awardsshow, held in conjunction with MolsonCanadian Rocks, Q107 and Now Magazine,will be mounted at Superstars Niteclub.
Organizer Neill Dixon of Chart Toppers,reports that performers firmed for the showinclude Ian Thomas, National Velvet, BlueRodeo, Gowan, Rik Emmett and Lee Aaronand her All Star Band. As well, a special(unnamed) guest has been pencilled in.
Several well-known performers and per-sonalities from radio and television will alsotake part in the show, including GordonLightfoot, Bryan Elliot (Video Hits), The QMorning Zoo, Kim Mitchell, The PartlandBrothers, Glass Tiger's Allan Frew and AlConnelly, Gil Moore, MuchMusic's SteveAnthony and Denise Donlon and many more.
For further information contact NeillDixon at 416-238-8682.
Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor withWarner's Karen Shook visit RPM's office for aninterview with Jill Lawless.
Fraser has been with Island Records for fourand a half years, the last two as Director ofPublicity. Her appointment took effectNov. 12.
Stephanie Robertson joins the companyas Special Projects Coordinator, taking onresponsiblity for both video and publicityfunctions. Robertson first became involvedwith the record industry with Alert Recordsand most recently with JustinEntertainment. She took over her new dutiesNov. 12.
Allan Reid takes on the mantle of Artist& Repertoire Director. Reid has been with thecompany for more than three and a halfyears, first in regional promotion inVancouver and latterly in Toronto. He will beresponsible for the acquisition and develop-ment of the company's domestic repertoire.His appointment takes effect Nov. 19.
Faisel Durrani takes over Reid's formerpromotion activities as Ontario PromotionManager. In addition to maintaining hisdance promotion responsiblities, he will lookafter regional promotion duties for theOntario Branch. Durrani has been with thecompany for more than three years. His ap-pointment is effective from Nov. 19.
Dave Porter, who has been with A&Mfor the past five years in a sales andpromotion position in the Halifax market,has been appointed Alternative Marketing -Promotion Coordinator. Porter's new role,which will become effective Jan. 1st of nextyear, has been described as one that "willserve to introduce projects deemed to bealternative in scope to alternative radio,media as well as retail." It was furtherpointed out that the objective of this newposition will be "to maximize the potential ofany artist/group within the alternativemarket and to develop, where possible, amore mainstream following for the artist."
Worldwide retail valuedrops 21 percent from '88The International Federation of thePhonographic Industry (IFPI) has reportedthat worldwide sales for 1989 have beenpegged at $12,600 million (US).
The figure marks a decrease of 21 per-cent from the previous year, but IFPI notesthat because 1988 was such an exceptionallyhealthy year, the decrease in 1989 wasexpected.
Despite the overall decrease, CD sales in-creased by 50 percent in 1989 with over 600million units sold. Cassette sales saw anaverage increase of 10.8 percent. Vinyl salesdecreased overall by 11.8 percent, but re-mained the same and even increased in somemarkets. The vinyl single's decrease waslogged in at a moderate 3.5 percent, eveningout its previously steep decline.
Canada has a retail value of $588.7million (US), making it less than three per-cent of the market share. The United Stateshas the largest market share for a singlecountry with 30 percent and a $6,464.1million (US) retail value. The EuropeanEconomic Community holds 31 percent ofthe market share.
Metal and rap tofigure at Juno AwardsThe Board Of Directors of CARAS, theorganization which coordinates the JunoAwards, has announced that it has createdtwo new categories. They are Best RapAlbum and Best Hard Rock/Metal Album.
Both of the categories will be voted onby a panel of experts in two rounds of voting.There will be no sales qualifications.
Commenting on the Hard Rock/Metalaward, artist Lee Aaron says that as the genrehas existed in this country for over twentyyears, "it's great to see it finally beingrecognized by the Academy."
The Juno Awards will be broadcast liveon CBC from Vancouver on Sunday, March3, 1991.
Columbia recording artist Mae Moore calls onCHYM Music Director Dave Schneider duringrecent promotion tour of Ontario, touting herlatest single, Where Loneliness Lives.
Bentall wears the clothin new Epic videoAs the 40 -date tour of Canada by BarneyBentall and The Legendary Hearts wounddown on the West Coast, plans were alreadyunderway for the video shoot for Life CouldBe Worse, the second track from their Epicalbum, Lonely Avenue. Ironically, Bentallplays the role of a preacher, and himself, inthe video.
Ironic because, as Bentall points out,"my father was a Baptist minister for overthirty years but is now retired and living inCalgary. I think my father would have likedme to have been a minister," he continues,"but I always wanted to be in music. Now,he'll be able to see me follow in his footstepseven if its only for a few moments on televi-sion. By the way," he adds, "he was neverunhappy with my choice to be a musician."
The video is being shot in Bentall'shometown of Vancouver with part of thefootage taken from a live concert at theCommodore Ballroom. The Life Could BeWorse single has already been shipped (RPMSingle Pick - Nov. 17/90) and it's expectedthe video will be released by the end ofNovember. The first single, Crime AgainstLove, has been a steady chart climber and thealbum, which is now nearing gold, has madeequally impressive moves up the RPM 100albums chart.
RPM - November 24, 1990 - 3
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Pindoff's Wipf critical of industry practicesGerry Wipf, Senior Vice President ofMarketing for Pindoff Record Sales,although optimistic about the future of therecord industry, has raised several points ofcontention with regard to his own retail in-dustry and the record industry generally.
Wipf admits that Pindoff "is generallyin the same boat as the rest of theindustry . . . we're right in line with where theindustry figures are." The Mall picture isn'tthat encouraging, as Wipf points out thatboth Mall traffic and retail sales are downoverall, "with the fashion people getting hitparticularly hard. People aren't spending asmuch money, and they're not spending asmuch time shopping."
Asked if he has seen any improvementnow that the fall season has begun, he sug-gests, "the only thing I've seen so far isevidence that the Christmas rush may startearlier this year."
Wipf's first criticism is levelled at therecord industry. "I think the high price ofCDs has turned off a lot of people who wouldhave switched over to CD as a configurationfar more readily and smoothly." He goes onto explain. "It's almost like, in some ways, asan industry, everyone went their own waywith their own agenda. And now, we're try-ing to pull it together . . . at the last minute."This is where he does see movement in theright direction. "What I've seen in terms ofproduct now going to mid -price and Warnersmoving on their pricing, which was a majormove . . . and CBS etc., I'm starting to feelmuch more positive about it."
Wipf argues that "regardless of what wemay want to say about how valuable musicis . . . and I've heard all the arguments abouthow milk is up so much in price since theseventies, and now it costs $7.00 to go to amovie, etc., etc. Well, you have to have milk,and they're all well and true arguments, butthere also comes a time when the consumersays 'Will I pay it?' And at $20.00 retail aCD . . . during the time we should have beenpushing to get people to start CD collections?That was just unreasonable. The answer wasnot to bring up the value of the cassette sopeople would say 'Hey, look . . . the cassette
SRDP attains permanentFederal Communications Minister MarcelMasse has confirmed that subject to yearlyParliamentary approval, the Canadian SoundRecording Development Program (SRDP)has become permanent, with a yearly budgetof $5 million.
The SRDP was initiated in 1986 as a five-year trial to assist the Canadian recordindustry and help it produce and marketCanadian product. It has become an integralpart of the country's industry, with fundshelping in such areas as recording, video pro-duction, touring and promotion.
This year marked the assessment periodof the program to determine whether or not itwould be reinstated. Evaluations of theSRDP have shown that it is a highly suc-cessful reinforcement system, one that has
is worth $18.00 and the CD is only $20.00.There was a push in that direction, if you willremember, a short time ago."
Wipf also tees off on the video end of thebusiness, which does very well for the MusicWorld chain. "I think that as an entertain-ment medium, we've let ourselves get out -marketed by some other entertainmentmediums, the highest profile being the videoindustry, coming from nowhere to being abillion dollar business in Canada . . . andrecords are still in the $700 to $800 millionrange."
Returning to his contention over the CDsituation, Wipf draws a parallel between thehardware and software availabilities. "Whenyou look at the way the hardware hasn'ttaken off to the extent first expected," saysWipf, "although it's showing signs of liferight now . . . and when you look at the in-dustry figures, we see CDs are up, albums aredown and cassettes are steady. But when youlook at the overall figures of the industry andcalculate into it the fact that we had openedsix or seven stores, and we know that HMVmight have opened another three or four ,plus a really big one, so to speak, and Samprobably opened twenty or twenty-five storesand A&A maybe fifty. When you add all thatup and multiply the amount of inventory thateach location would stock, you come up witha figure that is just pure pipeline. It hasnothing to do with the consumer. You thendeduct that figure off where the industryis at . . . and I think that, even a year ago,maybe two, were starting to get signalsthat the glitz may be off the musicindustry . . . and we had better start doingsomething about it."
However, Wipf admits there is a goodside to the picture. "I think for the most part,the industry, as an industry, sells far cleanerthan it did the first decade I was in it. Themanufacturer's fill is very good in most cases.You don't get into the panic situation whereyou've been out of stock for three weeks andyou build up a demand in your mind that'sgreater than it actually is. There's not asmuch need to over -react . . . and I think oneof the positive things about the business isthat it runs far cleaner."
status: Marcel Masse"responded well to the basic needs ofthe Canadian recording industry."
FACTOR, a private non-profit founda-tion, is the primary means through whichfunds from the SRDP are assigned. TheCanada Council also distributes a percentageof the budget. Sixty percent of the fundinggoes to the English -language sector, and theother 40 percent to the French -language sec-tor.
The SRDP has helped create more finan-cial stability in the industry, heighten productstandards, and increase investment in Cana-dian product.
It has fuelled the careers of Corey Hart,Alannah Myles, the Jeff Healey Band, BlueRodeo, k.d. lang and the majority of all otherCanadian acts.
Rah! Rah! Blue Jaysraise funds for VarietyDave Platel, Executive Producer of The BlueJays Album, reports that close to $6,000.00has been raised for the Variety Club throughthe sale of the album. A cheque for thisamount will be presented at the Telethon inthe New Year.
Released August 7, the album sold morethan 7,000 units in under eight weeks. Platelcredits the support received from the radioand retail sector for the sales, and points outthat "a lot of people in this country love theJays . . . the way the Leafs are playing, we allcan't wait for spring training."
It's not over yet, reminds Platel."Although the Jays' season ended ratherabruptly, we're still seeing some strong activi-ty at retail." Several magazines have includedthe album in the their Christmas Gift sec-tions. As well, a counter -top merchandiser isnow available for stocking-stuffer gifts."After all," says Platel, "Blue Jays'souvenirs sell all year 'round."
Next spring an advertising campaign willbe mounted on national television (TSN) forfive consecutive months. "So, by the time theJays meet Cincinnati in next year's WorldSeries," concludes Platel, "we'll have agrand -slam home run with The Blue JaysAlbum."
I.R.S. recording artist Candi with I.R.S.National Publicity Manager ChristinaScazighino (r) meet RPM's Tim Evans duringrecent visit to RPM's offices.
ISBA rapper spreadinganti -drug messageISBA rap artist HDV is taking his positivemessage to Toronto schools as part of a tourorganized by the anti -drug youth groupPeople With A Purpose. HDV will appear atpublic and secondary schools in the cityNovember 20 through 22.
HDV's debut album, Sex, Drugs &Violence, has earned him a nomination in therap category for a Toronto Music Award. Atrack from the album, Secret, was nominatedin the Best Dance/Rap category at the recentCASBY Awards. HDV will also be appearingat a November 23 date in support ofAmerican rapper Ice Cube, and at aNovember 25 benefit at Toronto's Rivoli forthe beleagured Fringe Product label, the sub-ject of a recent obscenity case.
4 - RPM - November 24, 1990
with Elvira CapreeseA little good news ... ! Anne Murray willbe guesting on the Joan Rivers Show on Nov.19 at 9 am. I hear that U.S. President, GeorgeBush, just might be watching. He's a big fanof our Snowbird, who, by the way is, pardonthe pun, flying with another bird. Bluebird,her new single is making Leonard smile.(EC: Does he have a Cheshire cat . . . ?)
Not to be negative ... ! But, what's goingon out there in the world of retail. Octoberfigures show another dip . . . about 5 percentI'm told. Who was it who said, "When thegoing gets tough . . . the tough run around incircles . . . ? (EC: No one said that!)
Rita MacNeil is big down under ... ! Thatsounds like a Freudian slip, but she is, VERYbig. Our old friend Ritchie Yorke caught herBrisbane concert, and, in his usually poeticmanner, suggested that perhaps the reasonfor Rita's "spiritual buzz" was "perhaps, her
The JUNO AWARDS wereoriginated by Walt Grealis
and Stan Klees onFebruary 23, 1970.
". . the prophets of doom, the messengersof mediocrity, will be overwhelmed by the newgeneration of competent, creative, confidentartisans, and by all those preceding generationswho have already demonstrated their freshness ofmind, their talent, and their capacity for inspiredleadership." - Pierre Juneau
91 9 Vkl Ili 1 A
published weekly sinceFebruary 24th, 1964, by
RPM MUSIC PUBLICATIONS LTD.6 Brentcliffe RoadToronto, Ontario
M4G 3Y2416-425-0257 FAX: 416-425-8629
Walt Grealis - Editor & PublisherSean LaRose - News/Research
Jill Lawless - General NewsTim Evans - Radio/Charts
Alison Mercer - News/VideoStan Klees - Special Projects
The MAPL logo was created by Stan Klces for RPMin 1970 and is now used extensively by Canadianrecord companies to identify the quantity of Canconon label copy.
qUf_M - Music was composed by a Canadian
A - Artist who is featured is a Canadian citizenP - Production was wholly recorded in CanadaL - Lyrics were written by a Canadian citizen
Advertising rates supplied on request. Second classpostage paid in Toronto. Registration No. 1351.
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magnificent voice, soaring as clear as a bellabove the ordinary humdrum of everydaylives," or "perhaps it is her soulful originalsongs, reaching from her heart, touching thegearstick of human emotions, making peoplefeel the pain and the pleasure of existence."Now, that's a critique. Programmers takenote . . . now's your chance to get behind oneof our most talented Stars of the Decade.(EC: How about an Order of Canada . . .?)
Believe it or not ... ! There was a time whenthe U -Know Awards were considered a"threat" to the Junos. All kinds of treacheryand chicanery went on to try to thwart thisambitious, but well put together awardsshow. Well . . . we can relax and put this oneaside. It has now deteriorated to a verypolitically motivated little tool for a smallgroup of manipulators and doesn't evenmatter anymore. (EC: But generally, thewhole award thing is reaching a point wherenone of it matters. It's been worked todeath!)
Shocking language ... ? I hope one of theGlobe and Mail critics was in the audience atHeidi's Chronicles, which is currently playingthe Royal Alexandra in Toronto, an Ed andDavid Mirvish production by the way. Thelanguage is "today,", but still jarring. I sawa couple from the blue -rinse crowd, who werepoking their husbands. I don't know whetherthey were enjoying it, or they wanted toleave. This is a drama about and starringwomen . . . and the guys don't do too badeither. Maybe Ben Hoffman should see theshow. I'd like to see his critique! (EC: What'sin a word . . . or two . . . ?)
Confirm or deny . . . ! We hear that thepricey, once in ten years award banquet isn'tdrawing the crowds it was hoping for. (EC: Aplace in the history books . . . but history willbe rewritten . . . !)
A world -class recession . . . ! Do youknow that not everybody believes that thisworld -class recession is going to take offexactly as planned . ? (EC: Somethings justdon't work, no matter how well you planthem . . .
Self indulgence ? Better you shouldn'tsit on a committee if you indulge infavouritism. And . . . he who gets favouredusually gets "pissed off" in the long runbecause he's a "dick head", so why favourthem in the first place? (EC: Who, or whom,do you have in mind . . . ?)
Buy American . . .! Americans want theircake and anything else that's on the plate.Jeff Binder, President of Duplitronics, anAmerican manufacturing companyy, wantshis fellow Americans to consider theopportunity his company offers to recycle the"old technology cassette" into a product hesays challenges "any medium on the market,including DAT." Most Canadians aren'teven aware of DAT yet . . . they're stillconfused about CDs. Anyway, Mr. Bindersuggests that "if the majority of Americanswho own cassette players were all to purchaseDAT players, as much as $150 billion wouldbe lost to Japanese and German companieswho are the primary manufacturers." Mr.
Alf ie Zappacosta, currently charting with hisCapitol/A-Zee track, Letter Back, is among thegrowing number of "people who read RPM".
Binder goes on to say that his product"should help cassette sales, which were flat in1989." That's worth looking into, and if hisprice is right . . . why not! (EC: There's noprice that's right today . . . !)Help needed . . ! Paul White at BMG islooking for a mint, or near mint, copy ofBaby Ruth by the Butterfingers. It seems thatthis instrumental classic is in very shortsupply. If you have a really good copy, callhim at 416-586-0022.
Wait a minute . . . ! "Sorry, he's in ameeting!" Those words are never uttered atRPM as a madding crowd gathers each week.(EC: For an audience!!) NASTY woman!!!Here are a few who attended. (EC: Court!)Scoot Irwin - ATI RecordsGreg Godowitz - Justin Entertainment artistStephanie Robertson - Justin EntertainmentNancy Yu - Virgin RecordsAllan Reid - A&MFran Sullivan - Crazy Legs MusicDave Deeley - CBS RecordsBill Banham - Warner MusicRoger Bartel - Capitol RecordsRick Wharton - MCA RecordsKim Zayae - CBS RecordsKaren Shook - Warner MusicGreg Keelor - Blue RodeoJim Cuddy - Blue RodeoChristina Scazighino -I.R.S. RecordsCandy (Candi) Pennella - I.R.S. artistKristine King - Warner/ChappellNicola Gerard - WIP RecordsLaura Bartlett - Virgin RecordsAnd, thanks to Kristine for the low caloriejelly beans. (EC: Low calorie jelly beans?)
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COVER STORY by Jill Lawless
Patricia Conroy joins country's new waveIt has been a long time since country musiccaused as much of a stir in the music world asit is now. And Patricia Conroy, a Vancouver -based singer who has just released her debut.album, Blue Angel, on Warner Music, isamong the new artists on whom a great dealof attention and expectation is beingfocussed.
Conroy is part of a new breed of countrymusician: confident and proud of countrymusic, she comes to it from a backgroundwhich breathes new life into the genre.
"It wasn't my dream to be on the Grand01' Opry or anything like that," laughsConroy, who grew up performing traditionalmusic with her Montreal Irish family. "Mymom was a huge country fan, so she had tonsof albums at home, and that's how I got in-troduced to country music. I loved it rightaway." Conroy says that among her biggestinfluences were movie musicals ("I was a bigfan of Doris Day") and the innovative styl-ings of Emmylou Harris and Patsy Cline,"the way they sing from the soul, not just theheart."
After she left home, Conroy did not im-mediately consider making music her career."I started late, but I was ready for it," shesays. "All along I needed a push. With thefamily, I had a push right there, but whenthey weren't around it was up to me, and Ijust didn't have the drive...(But) once thingswere going, that was it; I've been working 500percent for the last six years."
Conroy's hard work has payed hand-some dividends. She has won six BC CountryMusic Association awards, including threefor Female Vocalist of the Year, and this yearwon the Canadian Country Music Associa-tion's Vista award as most promising per-former. A victory in a 1989 radio -sponsoredbattle of the bands led to the single A Thou-sand Trails, which in turn drew the attention
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of Warner Music.Recording an album for a major label
turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant ex-perience. Conroy gives credit to her pro-ducer, the Family Brown's Randall Prescott,and the team of musicians which includedmembers of Conroy's band as well as playersPrescott knew from the Ottawa Valley andNashville. "We had a blast," Conroy recalls."We had a wonderful time in thestudio...They said 'Go in, here's yourbudget. Have fun. Record the songs you like.Go for it.' I'd heard horror stories about ma-jor labels, but it wasn't like that at all...Theydidn't try to change me or direct me."
Conroy says she is very pleased with theresult. "It's very subtle album, probablydue to my songwriting, because I tend towrite sad, slow songs." Blue Angel, with itssubtle arrangements and strong vocals,recalls country tradition while soundingdecidedly modern. "Country music haschanged a lot," Conroy reflects. "I grew upwith the hurtin', cheatin' stuff, so that hasstuck with me and it comes out in my songs.
But it's not strictly that way anymore. Infact, I see two lines of country happeningright now: the new traditionalists like DwightYoakam, Clint Black, Patty Loveless; andthen The Kentucky Headhunters, SteveEarle, Pirates Of The Mississippi and thatwhole side. I fall into the new traditionalistcategory. I really love the traditional style ofcountry. But I think the production is 90s,and the whole image of the artist and the waythey portray the old songs is quite different."
Conroy says she is happy to see theresurgence of country, and she thinks sheunderstands its perennial appeal. "It comesfrom the heart. That's it for me. Everybody'sbeen jilted, everybody's been through roughtimes. Everybody is looking for love. That'llnever change." She is also happy to see coun-try music getting back to its roots. "Countrymusic in the 80s went through such a weirdphase. It was so poppy, schlocky. Now it'sback on track."
Conroy herself is taking all the pressureof major -label expectations in her stride."The only pressure I feel is to get out thereand support the album," she says. "Other-wise, no, I'm really enjoying this. It's not go-ing too fast for me." She pauses and laughs."I like the attention."
Brown enjoys life as new Aquarius presidentKeith Brown, newly -appointed president ofMontreal -based Aquarius Records, is nostranger to a business he describes as "allfun." Emerging from a performancebackground, Brown teamed up with Quebecconcert promoter Donald Tarlton in the 70s,and through this liaison joined Aqaurius in1978.
"I was a general do -all in thebeginning," says Brown, who says his dutiesstretched from A&R to promotion. "And Inever really had a title before now."
But eventually he did get one, and onSeptember 1 Brown was officially namedpresident of the label. Brown stepped intolong-time Aquarius president Terry Flood'sshoes, who left to pursue other interests.
Founded in the late 1960s, Aquarius isowned by Tarlton and Montreal's Lazarebrothers, and has been a staple of theCanadian independent music scenethroughout its existence. Brown suggests thatthe solidity of Aquarius' success is in part dueto the compact size of the company, and thetightly -knit environment. "Nobody atAquarius can go out and sign an act withoutall of us sitting around and talking about it.We all have veto power." Brown maintainsthat this all or nothing policy ensuresunanimous belief in the acts, and has helpedthe company maximize their successes andminimize not -so -successful endeavours.
One of Aquarius' top priorities is to helpthe artists achieve their own personal careergoals. Brown describes key Aquarius artistslike Corey Hart and Sass Jordan not as "car-nival workers" who will bring in a buck, butas people "aspiring to a dream."
This priority feeds from the reality thatartists are putting themselves in an extremelyvulnerable position, of which Brown has anacute understanding. "The artist is openinghimself up to fierce public criticism. In how
many other professions do people say to yourface that what you do is terrible, that yoursongs suck? That's devastating for an artist."
Consequently, thick skins tend to be acriterion for Aquarius artists. Browndescribes how Corey Hart's undauntingdetermination was a big factor in Aquarius'interest in him."Corey had a spark and adrive; he always gets right up and dustshimself off." Brown goes on to say that Hartwill "not let himself be turned away," andthat Aquarius realized the value of thesequalities.
At present, Aquarius Records is in "verygood shape," says Brown, and although hehas no plans of doing any major reorganiza-tions, he would like to expand the roster ofartists. Currently, the label is preparing forthe release of an alternative band, JerryJerry, and it also has two bands which leantoward the more metallic side of rock.
Brown explains that Aquarius wants tokeep its artists as varied as possible, and thatthe company is not interested in the notion ofduplicating successful formulas.
"When you sign two artists of the samestyle, automatically one is going to come outas the 'winner' and one as the 'loser'. That'sa situation that isn't in anybody's best in-terest."
Brown would like to see two Aquariusartists charted at the same time during histenure at the label. It's a feat which has yet tohappen, but Brown sees no reason why itshouldn't.
The new title keeps Brown very busy,and he notes that although his activities haveremained pretty much the same, he does"spend a lot more time in meetings and talk-ing about finacial matters." But the extra ad-ministrative responsibilities have not takenany of the enjoyment out of the job forBrown: "I love this business, and I thinkevery aspect of it is fun."
10 - RPM - November 24, 1990
Video Hits: the most profitable show on CBCThis fall, Video Hits celebrates its seventhseason on the air. One of Canada's firstmusic video programs, the show has evolvedinto one of the CBC's most profitable showsand has played an integral role in the supportof Canadian musical talent and the establish-ment of a Canadian star system.
Video Hits was the brainchild of nowExecutive Producer Sandra Faire, who in1983 was working on Coming Attractions, anafternoon show centred around the Canadianmusic scene.
Faire began to notice that items on musicvideos started to appear more and more in thenews feeds at the CBC."We decided to callsome of the record companies to get thesevideos, and started playing them. Theresponse was tremendous."
As the CBC began to show interest inmusic videos, Faire recalls that initially theywere an American phenomenon. But thisdidn't last long, however, and "within amonth" Canadian record companies werepicking up on what the industry saw as amarketing tool of great value.
The potential of a music video programwas evident from the start. The concept's big-gest hook was that it would draw in theyounger demographic of viewers, a portionof the population that had long eluded theCBC. Currently, the bulk of Video Hits'viewing audience is in the 12-18 age range,with a healthy 42 percent in the 18-35 group.As the show has progressed, the precentageof 18-35s has increased, and Faire suggeststhat the audience is "growing up with theshow."
In a sense, Video Hits was slipped pastupper management through the cracks. TheVariety unit was going through a change ofdepartment heads, and since Faire didn'thave one particular person to pitch to, shepitched to everyone. Eventually CarolReynolds took over the Variety unit, andFaire credits this new department head withsupporting the project into realization.
As a further selling point, Faire knew shecould make the show on a rock -bottombudget. The show cost $850 per episode in theearly days, escalating to a mellow $1500 ashow at present.
With the green light at every corner,Faire set out to create one of Canada's firstprograms dedicated to the new medium ofmusic video. Samantha Taylor was enlisted ashost for the show and Video Hits producersbegan creating a system of choosing whichvideos to play.
Although at the time there were noCRTC guidelines with regard to cancon re-quirements for music video, Video Hitsassumed a 35 percent minimum immediately.
"We compile our own charts and playthe top five (for the half hour show). But aminimum of two of those will be Canadian,"states Faire.
This commitment to Canadian artistshas been unwavering over the show's sevenyears. This push for Canadian talent caughton like wildfire in the early days, and therewas never a Jack of Canadian talent.
Faire remembers the climate of the musicscene at that time: "The introduction ofVideo Hits coincided with the explosion of
the Canadian music scene. Acts like CoreyHart, Bryan Adams and the Parachute Clubwere bursting onto the scene. It was such anexciting time."
Video Hits is in the business of breakingas many new Canadian acts as it can. "Wemoved from featuring artists on Video Hitsto dedicating a full show to them, like theCorey Hart Special." Faire tells of how theCBC recently started Video Hits Presents, ahalf hour show that would feature a single
act. Faire describes how an act can movethrough a progression at the CBC, starting atVideo Hits, then moving to Video HitsPresents and then perhaps to a full-lengthfeature on the artist, such as the recentGeorge Fox special.
As a policy, Video Hits will not breakAmerican acts. Faire says that regardless ofhow great an American video might be,Video Hits devotes its extra time to Canada.
"That (American) artist has manyavenues for exposure in the States," explains
VIDEO HITS continued on page 15
Eliot's "casual manner" factor in hosting Video HitsBeing the host of one of Canada's most Working with an entirely all -womanwatched music video programs is a lot like a team, Elliot is undaunted by his minoritydream come true. Especially if you're into the status. He says that the Video Hits staff aremusic and entertainment scene to begin with. like his family, his sisters. An excitingSuch was the situation for current Video Hits prospect for an only child.VJ, Bryan Elliot, when he landed the job just As one of the CBC's highest -ratedover a year ago. shows, the team has their work cut out for
"I used to watch Video Hits all the time, them. Elliot attributes their success to theI was a big fan of the show, and it was a great closeness of the VH staff. He also has ahonour for me to get the job." whole -hearted belief in the show's format:
Elliot, a native Montrealer, studied "We are a top 40 video show. In a half hourEnglish and Theatre at McGill University and (or a full -hour on Fridays) you get to see
what's hot in a relatively short period of time.That's the beauty of the show."
The first four days of every week arespent in preparation for Fridays, when theweek's five shoin are taped. If the hours aresometimes long, Elliot doesn't mind. Heembraces the show's particular style, and hisenthusiasm for it overcomes any stumblingblocks he may encounter.
"We go out on location to shoot a lot ofthe shows, and often for a change of gearwe'll have a co -host on with me."
Elliot doesn't agree with the commonbelief that music videos stereotype ideas, that
Anne Murray with Video Hits host Bryan Elliot
came to Toronto to work in the entertain-ment field.
"I did a lot of commercials and a coupleof stints on My Secret Identity," says Elliot,but after two years he felt that it was time to"move on." Having been accepted into theprestigious drama program at TrinityRepertory Theatre in Providence, RhodeIsland, Elliot practically had his bags packed.But a week after he got word from Trinity,CBC offered him the job with Video Hits. Hedecided to stay.
The move turned out to be the right onefor Elliot, who couldn't love his job anymore. "I get to do everything: meet people,travel, I get a chance to write my own scriptsand answer mail. I have a lot of input."
Sandra Faire, the show's ExecutiveProducer, explains that Bryan was chosenfrom over 100 applicants. "There were somany talented people out there from all overCanada, we were floored." But it was Elliot'swholesome friendliness and casual mannerthat landed him the job.
Elliot explains good-naturedly that in-deed he is encouraged to be himself on -air,that as long as "I'm clean and my hair iswashed" everything's fine. "There is nocoaching. What you see is what you get. It'sjust me. If my hair's a little scraggly one day,that's okay. Hey it's rock 'n' roll!"
Monika Deol of MuchMusic with Bryan Elliot
they limit imagination. Instead, he sees themedium as a continuation of the artist'sexpression, taking the song one step further.
"People also get to see the artistsperform, and that's the big plus for theviewers."
In terms of the show's strong support forCanadian talent, Elliot is all for it: "It's greatto give national exposure to Canadian acts."
The job with Video Hits has all theelements in place to keep Elliot very happyfor the next little while, and he looks forwardto his future there with great relish. "I reallyfeel like the people here care about me, and Iget a chance to grow and learn as a person.That's what I'm here for, that's the bottomline for me."
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WHAT IS KON KAN?D Barry Harris? A Guy with curly hair and a bushy ponytail?LiAll of the above?
The new LP featuring the first single LIBERTY
already tracking and drawing phones on these majors:
1111110 ; T11 plToronto's CJEZ 97.3 FM recently com-pleted "a perfectly marvelous promotion forour Wine View feature," reports GailO'Brien, Promotion Director for the station.The event was held at the Sutton Place Hoteland the ten judges had 66 wines in unmarkedglasses to taste before choosing their threefavourites. The gold medal wines includedchampagnes, dry whites, big reds and sweetdessert wines worth $1,500 to $1,600. "Restassured," says O'Brien, "Robin Leach wouldhave loved it."
KIXX took advantage of a power outagethat shut down power to 20 percent ofCornerbrook on Nov. 1st. "The outage wasan unplanned one," says KIXX PromotionsDirector Walt Wicks, "which occurred dur-ing the year's first snowstorm at 2:30 pm."The station decided to open a KIXX CountryComfort Station, "whereby anyone who waswithout power," says Wicks, "could drop inand rest, eat and stay warm." The event was
Seacoast Sound givesairtime to IMAGINEGeoff Bate, General Manager of SeacoastSound, an audio production facility based inVictoria, B.C., recently announced that theywill be donating over $60,000 worth of air-time to IMAGINE, a 5 -year initiative whichencourages Canadians to contribute time andmoney to their preferred non-profit cause.
The airtime will be made possiblethrough commercial availabilities in the syn-dicated radio program, Lifeline, whichSeacoast produces. The program is broadcastto over 360,000 listeners a week on 65Canadian stations.
VIDEO HITS continued from page 10
Faire. "But Canadian artists really need theavenue up here. The Video Hits unit is onethat is constantly trying to build a Canadianstar system."
Faire comments that Video Hits is an ex-ample of the CBC's willingness to take riskswith new shows that may not bring insubstantial revenue. "The CBC is ready tomake shows that the networks just don't havetime for."
As it is, Video Hits has done very wellfor the corporation. It brings in some of thehighest numbers for ratings for daytimetelevision, with an average daily audience ofclose to half a million.
The show's success has attracted a lot ofattention. Its primary sponsor is Pepsi ColaCanada, no small achievement. "We lovePepsi!'" says Faire, whose enthusiasm forthe show and its components is very obvious.
For now Video Hits is going to stick withthe recipe that has made the show a success.A little over a year ago Bryan Elliot wasrecruited to take over host duties, and theVideo Hits team is in place and ready totackle the new seasons. The karma for theshow's future is looking good, and the crew ishappily keeping their busy fingers crossed foranother seven seasons, at least.
held inside a school and those who droppedin were invited to stay the night if theelectricty hadn't been restored before bed-time. Visitors were treated to Tim Horton'scoffee and donuts, potato chips, sandwichesand Pizza Experts pizza. Station personnelencouraged games of badminton, basketball,ball hockey and other sports in the gym totake the pressure off their visitors. Theoutage ended at midnight, which enabled
London stations supportban of harmful M -M -T1290 CJBK and BX-93, gold and country for-matted stations, are doing the unusual bytaking a public stand in support of Lambton-Middlesex MP Ralph Ferguson. Ferguson iscanvassing for the House of Commons topass a bill that would ban the use of M -M -Tin gasoline.
M -M -T has recently replaced lead as theprimary octane enhancer in gas, but has beenshown to be a neurotoxin (harmful to the ner-vous system), to not biodegrade in the en-vironment and to be aggressively harmful tothe ecology.
The banning would stimulate the use ofEthanol, a grain -based fuel which couldreplace M -M -T in gasoline and have apositive effect on Canada's farm economy.
1290 CJBK and BX-93 are two radiostations that have always kept a close eye onenvironmental issues. They feature anenviromental news short called The Environ-ment And You five times daily, and foundedthe London Environmental Awards.
For more information contact WarrenCosford at 519-686-2525.
Tragically Hip scores asFave winners at CASBYsThe weird and wacky 10th annual CASBYAwards took place two weeks ago (Nov. 8) atToronto's Concert Hall. The show wasorganized by T.O. alternative radio stationCFNY's Director of Canadian TalentDevelopment, Hal Harbour.
Big winners of the evening wereKingston band The Tragically Hip, whoscored Fave awards for Group, Album (UpTo Here), Song (New Orleans Is Sinking) andMale Vocalist (Gord Downie).
Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planetaced the Unsigned Act and Instrumental(Having An Average Weekend) awards, andToronto favourites the Skydiggers and theSattalites picked up Most Promising Act andReggae Act, respectively.
Rapper Maestro Fresh Wes nabbed theDance/Rap Song with his Let YourBackbone Slide, while the Cowboy Junkiestook home two Casbys, one to MargoTimmins for Female Vocalist and one toDavid Houghton and Graham Henderson forAlbum Art.
The Jazz Recording award went out tothe eccentric Shuffle Demons, and DanielLanois won for Engineer/Producer for hisself -titled album and for French Song, JolieLouise.
Sinead O'Connor's album, I Do NotWant What I Haven't Got, won the Interna-tional Album award.
RPM - November 24, 1990 - 15
everyone to go back to their homes. "Thenext day, we were swamped with thank youcalls," says Wicks. "We had a lot of fun."LG 73 has the Vander Zalm Rap, whichwas written and performed by the LG Morn-ing Zoo Cementheds. The song is one of themost requested on the station and it isavailable at A&B Sound for only $3.73. Par-tial proceeds will go to the Lower MainlandFood Banks.Ron S. Gilbert, well-known radio sales andmarketing executive, has left CHAY-FMBarrie after twelve years as General SalesManager. He takes over as General Managerof CIDC-FM Orangeville.
CRTC nod to CHUM tobuy Vancouver stationsThe CRTC has approved applications byCHUM Limited to purchase Vancouver'sCHQM-AM and CHQM-FM. The announce-ment of the approval was made by AlanWaters, President of CHUM Limited.
As part of the transaction, Q Music, anenvironmental music service, will nowbecome part of the CHUM Satellite BusinessMusic Network.
Duff Roman, Vice President, IndustryAffairs for. CHUM Limited, explains that theprimary objective of the company in purchas-ing Q Broadcasting Ltd. was "to obtain anFM radio licence for Vancouver." He pointsout that the acquisition of Q Broadcasting,"now leaves CHUM Limited with two AMradio stations in Vancouver (CHQM-AM andCFUN-AM)."
CHUM Limited has apparently made itknown that it intends to "divest ofCHQM-AM to a qualified buyer." It wasfurther indicated to the CRTC that CHUM"should be able to reach an agreement for thesale of CHQM-AM to a third party within sixmonths, or by April 17, 1991, and wouldsubmit this agreement and application to theCommission for approval."
CFRB and CKFM employees raised more than$800 for the United Way Campaign throughcoffee and donuts served up by Batman(George Ferguson), General Manager of CFRB,and Robin (Gary Slaight), General Manager ofCKFM and President of Standard Radio. It'shoped that over $30,000 will be raised throughemployee activities and listener participation.
16 - RPM - November 24, 1990
fer Vir414/241t
WHITNEY HOUSTONI'm Your Baby TonightArista ARCD-8616N
There's no arguing with WhitneyHouston's voice, which continues to bebreathtaking, or with her track record(many millions of copies sold of herprevious two albums), or with the factthat I'm Your Baby Tonight reaps thebenefit of everything money can buy.Trouble is, Houston doesn't need thehigh-powered pyrotechnics of pro-ducers such as the team of L.A. Reidand Babyf ace, whose work swampssongs like Anymore, My Name Is NotSusan and the title track and firstsingle. She fares better at the hands ofother producers, particularly NaradaMichael Walden, whose ballads (AllThe Man That I Need, Lover For Life)allow Houston's vocals to enjoy thespotlight. Other highlights include theLuther Vandross-produced Who DoYou Love and I'm Knockin', coproduced by Houston and MichaelMarada. Not a great leap forward forHouston artistically, I'm Your babyTonight is nonetheless sure to enjoyhealthy sales. (CD reviewed). JL
STEVE WINWOODRefugees Of The HeartVirgin CDV 2650WSteve Winwood's major influences,R&B, gospel and blues, are very muchevident in all his work, and Refugees OfThe Heart is no exception. Layering hismusic with brushstrokes of sound,Winwood gives his songs that open-airblowing -through -your -mind feel. Thefirst slotted single, One And Only Man,follows in this tradition. Tracks likeAnother Deal Goes Down and thefunkier Come Out And Dance and Run-ning On show Winwood delve into hisown brand of R&B. Self -produced andwith Will Jennings adding his touch asco -writer, Refugees promises to figureprominently through the crowds ofhigh -profile releases this Fall.(CD reviewed) AM
VARIOUS ARTISTS - Ro ck
RubalyatElektra CD 60940-P
This Elektra 40th anniversary packagehas a lot to recommend it. The idea-present-day Elektra artists cover pastElektra tracks is irresistable, thepackaging is lovely and the liner notesare extensive. As could be expected,the 39 tracks on the 2 CD package are arollercoaster of highs and lows; there
Pop
PoplRock
are disappointments, pleasant butdisposable novelties, and a few ge-nuine classics. Laurels go to JevettaSteele, who almost manages to rescueThe New Seekers' I'd Like To TeachThe World To Sing from its saccharineimage, The Big F, who tear into MC5'sKick Out The Jams, Metallica for mak-ing Queen's Stone Cold Crazylistenable, John Eddie for his inter-pretation of The Cure's pop confectionInbetween Days, and The Havalinasand The Georgia Satellites for bracingversions of Tom Paxton's Bottle OfWine and John Fogerty's Almost Satur-day Night!Rockin' All Over The World,respectively. The highlight of the col-lection, though, is Faster Pussycat'sunlikely cover Of Carly Simon's You'reSo Vain, a blistering version which re-tains all the charm of the original. Con-gratulations are in order to thepackage's executive producer, LennyKaye. (CD reviewed)
DARYL HALL & JOHN OATESA Change Of SeasonArista AC -13614-N
Reunion album for this mega -successful duo, A Change Of Seasonprovides the same thoughtful pop withupgraded tools and new lyrics. The firstsingle, So Close, is destined for somemajor radio action. The tune was pro-duced by Jon Bon Jovi; his input is notoverbearing but does give the song anice edge. Tracks like Halfway Thereand Sometimes A Mind Changes arereminiscent of Abandoned Launderettedays, no complaints about that. Thetunes on the album are steady andwithout surprises, and the collabora-tion of Hall and Oates has produced analbum that will appeal to the NClisteners without fail.(Cassette reviewed) AM
Pop
KATE & ANNA MCGARRIGLE FolkHeartbeats AcceleratingPrivate Music 20704 -P -N
The quiet and unassumingMcGarrigles are among Canada's best -respected songwriters; their lovely,understated songs have becomefavourites of such performers as LindaRonstadt and Emmylou Harris. Heart-beats Accelerating, their first albumsince 1983's Love Over And Over, con-tains several haunting, beautiful gems,including I Eat Dinner, Love Is(previously recorded by Harris) and I'm
Losing You. Production is by PierreMarchand (Daniel Lanois, The NevilleBrothers), whose array of computersand MIDI technology doesn't interferewith the McGarrigles' charm, a blend ofpop and Quebec, Cajun and Celtic folk.(cassette reviewed) -JL
AN EMOTIONAL FISHAn Emotional FishEast West CD 72149-PThis band has been generating a lot ofinterest around the " in music" scene,particularly in their native Ireland. Theirmusic is driving and serious, makingthem a part of the new wave of rockthat dabbles with alternative genres,but remains on very firm ground.Celebrate, the lead track off the album,sets a high standard, but well lived upto as An Emotional Fish provideenergetic tune after energetic tune.Each has its own story to tell musicallyand lyrically, and the message isdelivered with intensity and engagingvocal work by singer Gerard Whelan.Fish will cause a ruccus at retail, ap-pealing to fans intersted in a genre thatwas spearheaded by bands like U2 andHothouse Flowers.(CD reviewed) AM
Rock
JOAN KENNEDY Country/popCandle In The WidowAtlantica MJC-4-1002Maritimer Kennedy is no stranger tothe country music charts, but now with
the new-found direction of BrookesDiamond, this New Brunswickershould become much better known.For starters, her latest album shows adifferent side to a vocal confidenceand interpretation of lyrics. Kennedypossesses a vocal purity that producerMike Francis has cushioned with someof the best session people in thebusiness, Including the late Ron Dannon steel. CHFXFM Music Director PaulKennedy was one of the first torecognize the hitmaking potential ofthis album and added The Trouble WithLove this week. Also key are the titletrack, written by Matraca Berg andKevin Welch and Liam Clancy'sSpanish Is A Loving Tongue. For moreinformation call 902-422-7000.(Cassette reviewed) WG
RITA MacNEILHome I'll BeVirgin - RMCD-5001-WThose programmers who believed inthe incredible, all-around entertain-ment value of Rita MacNeil from thebeginning will soon see their beliefmount an International scale that justmight be mind -boggling. It's not toolate to get on the MacNeil bandwagon,as with each release the Impossible isattained: she gets better. Her latestDeclan O'Doherty production hasbolted right out of the box. AIC andeasy listening programmers havejumped on You Taught Me Well, andtheir country cousins are chartingWatch Love Grow Strong. Also key areSoutheast Wind, Does It Ever Changeand the title track. Front rack this item.It will be a big Christmas seller. (CDreviewed) - WG
ROGER WHITTAKERYou Deserve The BestTembo TMCD-NA bit of a change in production andwriting help for Whittaker, but thepowerful and instantly recognizablevocals remain the same. ProducersJimmy Bowen and James Stroud havetrotted out some heavy -hitting writersfor Whittaker's debut on the Capitollabel (U.S. only). The initial single, TakeAway My Pain, was written by SteveGibb, who has written for KennyRogers. Also contains material writtenby Even Stevens, J.D. Martin, DannyBear Mayo, David Lynn Jones andLewis Anderson, to name a few. Shouldbe that all-important album forWhittaker in the U.S. He is alreadycharting in Canada. (CD reviewed) WG
Pop/Country
Country/Pop
1 1
2 2
3 3
05 5
6 4
7 7
8 9
9 6
10 to
11 12
12 11
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0 17
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O 23
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O 29
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32 27
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34 26
Brookesswicker
known.shows anfidenceKennedyproducerith somea in theton Dannrotor Paul
first totential ofuble Withs the titleBerg andClancy'sFor more
22-7000. WG
oplCountry
selleved inentertain -
II from theIheir beliefle that justis not too'andwagon,'possible isHer latest
I1E019111 k ;14111Anne Murray is flying again, this time withBluebird, the title of her new Capitol track,this week's highest new entry at No. 83.Looking back over the charts, Anne'sSnowbird entered the RPM 100 singles chartat No. 95 on July 25, 1970, and came in atNo. 32 on the country chart, which was onlya Top 50 at the time. So it looks like her newtrack, written by Vancouver songwriter RonIrving, is off to a much better start thanSnowbird. The second highest entry this weekis Blue Rodeo's Til I Am Myself Again, thefirst single taken from their new Warneralbum, Casino. Remember, it was the coun-try programmers who broke Blue Rodeo inthe first place, and they have been quick torealize the country potential of this track.
Graceland has a full month of top acts, in-cluding Tanya Tucker, who is in for the 20th,followed by Larry Mercey (23), Kevin Welch(24), and Dottie West (26). Earlier this monththey showcased Prairie Oyster, Rick Jones,Johnny Lovesin and the Carlton Showband.Coming up is Gary Morris for a Dec. 12thdate. Firmed already for Graceland's NewYear's Eve Party are The Good Brothers with
Columbia recording artist Mae Moore visitswith CKGLFM's Music Director Randy Owen.
BORN IN THE COUNTRYby
MORRIS P. RAINVILLEon
ARE ABI
This one's for the roadand it's happening now
thanks to country programmers!
special guest Cyril Way.Gilles Godard keeps the Cancon pot hotwith new Nashville productions for EddieEastman and a new Janie Frickie album thatdisplays the MAPL logo (MA) on five of theeleven tracks, three of which he co -wrotehimself. Eddie's new single is titled Big FoolFor Lovin' You, a song that was written byEddie, Gilles and Cyril Rawson. This trackwill be included on Bookshop's Single SeriesSampler, to be released the first week inJanuary. Also included on the sampler areRonnie Prophet, Dick Damron, Kelita,Donna & Leroy Anderson, Applejack, BruceGolden, Hal Bruce and Erik Johnson. Gilleshas firmed studio time next month for asession with Ronnie Prophet. The title trackof the album, Prophet Of Love, was writtenby Gilles and Robert Ellis Orrall.The title of Carroll Baker's new album hasbeen changed to Her Finest Collection. Thealbum is expected to be released over the nexttwo weeks. It's Only Make Believe, taken as asingle and at No. 62 this week on the RPMCountry 100, is included on the album, alongwith two new Carroll Baker compositions.The balance of the album contains her besttracks from the '80s and '90s, all digitallyrecorded. Christmas Carroll, voted TopCountry Album Foreign or Domestic at thisyear's CCMA Awards, is back in the stores inall configurations.
Ron Hynes, with the help of BrookesDiamond Productions, is beginning to makeinroads into the business with his new LostIsland vinyl Sonny's Dream. A RonHynes original, the single was produced byDeclan O'Doherty and features the legendaryWonderful Grand Band.
Brent McAthey has released his latestvinyl single, Here I Go Again, one of his ownoriginals, on the Magnum label. This is afollow-up to I'm In Love and Dreamer. Pro-duced by Nolan Murray, the single wasrecorded at Vancouver's Blue Wave Studio.Nolan also supplies fiddle, banjo, mandolin
and 12 string and rhythm guitar on the ses-sion. Also sitting in were Gord Maxwell (bassdrums), Rob Poole (electric guitar), Bob"Red" Funk (keyboards) and Dave Pickell(Dobro), with Charlie Hase, Rocko Vaugeoisand Gord Maxwell of One Horse Blue sup-plying back-up vocals. Perry Barrett, who isknown for his work with George Jones,Sawyer Brown and other top name countryacts, looked after the board chores. Magnumis based in Edmonton at 403-476-8230.
Lisa Brokop's management has shipped a1/4" tape of her Christmas song, ChristmasIs Not The Same Without You. Theseventeen -year -old Surrey, B.C. youngsterwrote the song in memory of her grand-parents when she was only thirteen. Lisa has
COUNTRY continued on page 23
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TOO COOL TO FALL IN LOVEJill Sobule Things Here Are DifferentMCA (CA) MCAC.6375 (CD) MCAD6375J
SHOW ME HEAVENMarla McKee Days 01 Thunder SoundtrackDGC (CA) M5.24294 (CD) CD.24294P
LYIN' TO MYSELFDavid Cassidy David CassidyEnigma (CA) 0473554 (CD) D2.73554.F
CLOSE TO YOUMaxi Priest BonafideVirgin (CA) VL42623 (CD) CDV2623.W
I CAN'T FORGET ABOUT YOUZahalan ZahalanJustin Entertainment (CA) JEC.004 (CD) JED-004J
YOU GOTTA LOVE SOMEONEElton John To Be ContinuedMCA (CA) MCAC10110 (CD) MCAD4.10110.J
TAKE AWAY MY PAINRoger Whittaker You Deserve The BestTembo (CA) TMK4390 (CD) TMCD4390N
NEW YORK MINUTEDon Henley The End 01 The InnocenceDGC (CA) 8524217 (CD) CD24217P
WITH ALL MY MIGHTGeorge Fox With All My MightWamer Music (CA) 25.69274 (CD) CD56927-P
I COULDN'T HELP MYSELFSarah Hickman ShortstopElektra (CA) 9609644 (CD) CD60964P
FREEDOMoratirtorc,r.Lar9.8 Without Pre Vol.
ONE AND ONLY MANSteve WInwood Refugees Of The HeartVirgin (CA) ML42650 (CD) CDV2650W
D] ill CANTONIITO WATCH
1 1 (7)
2 2 (6)
3 4 (4)
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HOMEThe Phantoms
SPYCD.1000.W
DOWN TO THE WIRECrash VIM. Red EarthRisque Disque (CA) 17.7704 (CD) CD70770
PHOENIXLorraine Segato PhoenixWamer Music (CA) 17.12024 (CD) CD -71202P
LIBERTYKon Kan SyntonicAtlantic (CA) 78-21634 (CD) CD82163P
DADDY.°Watertown - No Singing At The Dinner TableWarner Music (CA) 17.70324 (CD) CD -71032P
STANDTim Feehan - Full ContactMCA (CA) MCAC.10069 (CD) MCAD-10069,1
FOODThe Pursuit
$1')Vg1V;g7J
RESCUE MESonya
RecordsestinyArtiste(CA) ART4105 (CD) ART -CD -105
YOU TAUGHT ME WELLRita MacNeil Home I'll BeVirgin (CA) RMC5001 (CD) RMCD.5001W
111.-1:11:11C-1111by Tim Evans
The rich get richer . . AC/DC's TheRazors Edge holds on to the top album spotfor the fifth straight week. It becomes thefifth album this year to hold the No. 1 posi-tion for five weeks or longer. It joins albumsfrom Wilson Phillips, MC Hammer, SineadO'Connor and Phil Collins. Those fivealbums have held the top spot for a total of40 out of the 46 weeks this year!
Cancon tops the chart. Heart's Strandedand Mariah Carey's Love Takes Time bothappear ready to battle for the No. 1 spot onthe Hit Tracks chart. It won't be easy,however, as Alias' More Than Words CanSay grabs the top spot and looks as if it willhold on to that position for a little while. Canyou name the last Canadian song to top thechart? Hint: it's been a while.
Streaks end! Rod Stewart's I Don't WantTo Talk About It drops to No. 33. It peakedtwo weeks ago at No. 19. That's the lowestpeak for a Rod Stewart song since What Am IGonna Do peaked at No. 35 in Oct. 1983.The New Kids On The Block also fall thisweek. After the first two releases from StepBy Step both hit the top 10 (including the titletrack going to No. I), Let's Try It Againdrops after peaking at No. 60.
Blue Rodeo top add ... Phil Collins has achance to break a long-standing record. HisHang In Long Enough debuts at No. 66. If ithits No. 1 before the end of the year, he willbecome the first artist to achieve five No. 1songs in one year. He is currently tied withThe Beatles with four No. l's in a year. HangIn wasn't the top add this week, however. TilI Am Myself Again, the first release fromBlue Rodeo's Casino, earns that honour as itenters at No. 48.
Crossover success Soho's Hippychickclimbs to No. 61 on the Hit Tracks chart. Italso debuts at No. 8 on the Dance chart. Intotal, nine of the top ten dance tracks are, orhave been, on the Hit Tracks chart. Comparethat to a year ago when only five of the topten dance tracks made the chart.
Top album moves. Steve Winwood'sRefugees Of The Heart is the top album add,entering at No. 53. That's a few places betterthan Rita MacNeil's Home I'll Be, whichdebuts at No. 59. The hottest album belongsto Whitney Houston. I'm Your Baby Tonightjumps 33 places to No. 23.
Alliteration always allows awareness. Thatmay be the theory, or it may just be coin-cidence, but there are a total of seven artistson the Hit Tracks chart who use alliterationin their names. They are: Brent Bourgeois,Barney Bentall, Black Box, Mae Moore,Maria McKee, Michael McDonald and JanetJackson.
Long dry spell! The last Canadian song tohit No. 1 was way back in January of 1987.That's when Corey Hart hit the top withCan't Help Falling In Love. AlthoughAlannah Myles hit the top in several countriesthis year, Canada was not one of them. LoverOf Mine was her biggest Canadian hit at No.2.
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COUNTRY continued from page 19
just come down off the charts with her Brain-child single, Daddy Sing To Me, which peak-ed at No. 10 (Sept. 29/90) on the RPMCountry 100, a rare feat for a newcomer.
Bob E. Lee West and the Mainstreet Band,who release on Scoot Irwin's ATI label, havebeen picking up important play in the U.S.Jeff Fain, Music Director of WYNCYanceyville, North Carolina, a trade stationreporter, says he likes both sides of the vinylsingle that Scoot sent him, This Old FreightTrain and You're Just A Call Away. DougSmith of KSPG El Dorado, Kansas said,"send me more. These guys kick." Thealbum was also given a good review by DanBissonette, who writes in Twang, a newWestern Canada country magazine. "Con-tained in the nine cuts of the album," hewrites, "are some absolutely deadly, downhome, honky-tonkin' country rock and Texasswing that really lifts the spirts." It's ex-pected that with that kind of ammunitionScoot will be able to influence amajor into signing this great act. The singlewas produced by Adrian Chornowol withSteve Graupe as engineer. Recording tookplace at Calgary's Smooth Rock Studios.
WEA recording artist Patricia Conroy visitsCHAM's Vickie Van Dyke and Rick Walters.
1111111111111111111111i1111111111111011111111i111/011111111111111iHNIIIIII llllllll mu mdin
. 1."V11111
LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEOSI (o) ROGER
LireWATEBerliRSTi,. Wall in nPolyGram
2 2 (4) AEROSMITHThe Making Of PumpWarner Music
3 7 (11) AEROSMITHThings That Go Pump In The NightWarner Music
4 4 (11) METALLICACliff 'Em AllWarner Music
5 5 (24) NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCKCBS
By Step
6 a (25) NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK16ingln. Tough
7 NEW MIDNIGHT OILBlack Raln FallsCBS
8 NEW AC/DCLel There Be Rock
- Warner Music
9 10 (7) LITTLE MERMAIDSoundtrackDisney
lo 5 (7) MADONNACiao, ItaliaWarner Music
Pi WA -41 I I DJAD RATES
The charge for classified ads in RPM is $1.00per word, $2.00 per word for upper case body copy,$3.00 per headline word. Minimum charge for an ad is$20.00. There is a $10.00 service charge for reservinga box number. Ads containing more than 50 words willbe run as display ads. Send ad copy to: RPMWeekly, 6 Brentcliffe Road, Toronto, Ontario.M4G 3Y2. FAX:
THEY'RE BITIN'You can still reach us at 416.691-0467(J.P. Guilbert) or at 416-4654805 (James Monaco)
SAVE ON FRAMINGLAMINATE. PROTECTED FOREVER AGAINSTDETERIORATION. Posters, drawings, advertisements,awards, art reproductions, magazine and annualreport covers, photographs. Sample and price list:Heddington's. 416-484-0060. Fax: 416-487.0062.135 Heddington Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5N 2K9.
WANTEDOur reserve talent is low. We need info on some ClassA talent. Send tape and resume (no calls) to:Talent, c/o CJLS, 328 Main St., Suite 201, Yarmouth,N.S. BSA 1E4.
THERE'S A FORMAT FOR YOUIN THE CHUM GROUP
As CHUM Group National Talent Coordinator,I'll make sure your tape is heard by all CHUMGroup Program Directors from coast to coast.If your speciality Is CHR, Adult Rock, Oldies -based NC, Contemporary Country, AdultCHR, All Oldies, Soft NC, AOR or News &Information, send your tape and resume incomplete confidence to:
WWI I 9] =111/11111How long is a longform? That depends.Among the initial releases from A* Vision,Atlantic's new home video and televisioncompany, are the longest and shortestlongforms to appear in this column. AlannahMyles' self -titled video, a compilation of herfour video clips, clocks in at 18 minutes. PhilCollins' Seriously Live, a record of the Berlindate from his recent tour (everybody is beingrecorded in Berlin these days), runs 2 hoursand 45 minutes. Other releases on A* Vision,falling somewhere between these two inlength, are En Vogue's Born To Sing,Winger's In The Heart Of The Young, SweetSensation's self -titled video and Debbie Gib -son's Live Around The World.Hard 'n' Heavy Volume 10, the latest in-stallment in MCA's popular hard rock series,is being released this month. Included areclips from AC/DC, Megadeth, LivingColour, Ozzy Osborne and Queensryche. Wehave also received word of Hard 'n' HeavyBabes Volume 1, a sort of video calendar,which features women with names likeTuscany, Tatiana and Kinjir, "12 ultimatehard rockin' heavy metal babes doing whatthey do best...just for you!!!" No comment.Fans of George Michael disappointed bythe cancellation of his planned NorthAmerican charity tour can take solace in theNovember release of an hour-longmusic/biography video on CBS. It's cheaperthan a concert, too.
NAIONALSALES -BRANCH MANAGER
Ideal Opportunity for experienced recordperson to organize branch and salesoperations for major independent label.Toronto based candidate must know keyaccounts and have some distributionexperience. Salary negotiable with completebenefits and Incentives. Reply in confidenceto RPM, Box 8026, 6 Brentcliffe Road,Toronto, Ontario. M4G 3Y2.
COUNTRY 105 CALGARYLOOKING FOR ON -AIR TALENT
Country 105 (CKRY-FM) Calgary is looking foron -air talent for evening shift. We're lookingfor an experienced broadcaster who knowsand enjoys today's country music and knowshow to relate to today's country listeners.Send tape and resume in confidence to:
Greg HaraldsonProgram Director
Country 105 FM Suite 300609 14th Street N.W.
Calgary, Alberta. T2N 2A1.
PRODUCER/WRITERWe're looking for a talented individual toassume the important duties of RadioProducer/Writer.The ideal candidate will have two or moreyears of production related experience, bewell organized, people oriented, and able tomeet tight deadlines.Salary commensurate with experience andsupplemented by a comprehensive benefitpackage.Send resume to:
Creative Services CoordinatorCKNX Radio
Wingham, Ontario. NOG 2W0
LIMOS TO THE STARSPrestigious, super -stretch limos with all theluxurious touches: Bar, TV, VCR, Stereo,CD player, FAX machine and telephone.
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WEEKEND/EVENINGANNOUNCER
CJFW-FM Radio in Terrace, B.C. Is looking fora Weekend/Evening Announcer for ourTerrace operation. The successful candidateshould have a minimum of one year onalrexperience, production skills, be able to workIndependently and have a solid technicalapptitude. Experience on 1GM AutomationSystem an asset.Please forward resume and tape to:
ManagerHuman Resources/Public Relations Admin.
Skeane Broadcasters4625 Lazelle Avenue
Terrace, B.C. V8G 1S4
HOW TO SUBSCRIBETO RPM WEEKLY
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