CMW(Canadian Music Week)PART 2

By Wayne Baggs

Anticipation of Christone “Kingfish” Ingram’s performance at The Opera House was high for my friends and me. This was a great start to my week of covering CMW. The four of us, two of whom were fellow photographers and one a longtime concert bud, have attended many shows together. We all agreed that this was the best show this year. What a fabulous way to start CMW, for me anyway. Beginning the night was Spencer Mackensie, a talented young blues player worthy of all the accolades bestowed upon him. Such as a JUNO for Blues Album of The Year. His performance impressed my friends who hadn’t seen him before. When “Kingfish” hits the stage, he immediately has the audience’s attention. His passion is on full display as he seamlessly blends blues, rock, and soul in a mesmerizing performance. His exceptional guitar skill and soulful voice made for an unforgettable show that we will remember for a long time. Great start to CMW. “Kingfish would hang around Toronto for a few days to appear at The Live Music Industry Awards. Presented by CMW in partnership with the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) Much to my delight!! Thank you!!!

On Tuesday, June 4th I had the amazing opportunity to attend Dallas Smith’s performance as part of Canada Music Week. Having just attended the Live Music Industry Awards and dealing with Toronto’s renowned traffic, I was happy to get there on time. History is a fabulous venue for live music. Something about Country Shows adds a palatable electric feel to the room. Dallas’ energy, powerful voice, and dynamic stage presence captivated the audience from the first note. His setlist was a perfect blend of old and new. The crowd was engrossed, and it was evident that Dallas had a strong connection with them. I have to admit that I’m not the biggest new country fan, but I can say that this was a highlight of the week. One can have a certain amount of pride knowing Canada has the type of talent I witnessed this evening.

On Wed Jun 5th I had the opportunity to attend a CMW united panel of Rock stars and Athletes advocating for Mental Health. A panel that walks the talk. Joining the conversation were Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach) and Dr. Jay Harrison a former 15-year NHL player, currently a licensed clinical mental health counselor. They were joined by host Joey “Vendetta” Scoleri, SVP Industry Relations Live Nation, Ryan Strome 11 year NHL player and current Leaf goalie Joseph Woll. Stephanie Carter, director of operations for 988 crisis helpline CMHA also joined the panel to offer her insights into the enhancement of national suicide prevention service. This diverse group was there to discuss the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues. These very difficult and personal issues were very emotional for all those speaking. One key takeaway from the panel was the importance of self-care and seeking help when needed. It was encouraging to hear the panelists emphasizing the importance of mental health and seeking support when facing challenges. Attending the Break The Ice Mental Health panel at CMW was an enlightening experience. It was a reminder of the importance of having open conversations about mental health and breaking the silence surrounding this important issue. 988 is the national suicide prevention number. Please use it if you or someone you know needs help.