ROYALTY RECORDS SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF BEV MUNRO
Born in Boissivain, Manitoba, Bev’s first job was just 40 miles north at station CKX in Brandon, playing country music for fans in that listening area. His popularity soon gained him a top DJ job in Dauphin, Manitoba and from there, to Regina. His last move was to CFCW in Camrose, Alberta, where he spent 30 years behind the microphone. As the morning host, he started the still-popular Mystery Artist Request Line and his famous Knee-Slapper jokes.In 1959, Bev was named “Mr. DJ USA” along with Ralph Emery, at WSM in Nashville, Tennessee, an honour no other Canadian DJ could claim. On weekends, Bev was out playing shows and dances with his band. His popularity as a singer got him a recording contract and his first hit song was “Hello Operator.” Other songs he wrote become number one hits for such artists as R. Harlan Smith, Chris Nielsen and Hank Smith. From his Capitol LP came his signature song, “Babysitting With The Blues” which got him an opportunity to tour with such artists as Faron Young, The Kitty Wells Show, Jimmy C. Newman and others.
In September 2002, Bev was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in the DJ category, at the CCMA Awards. Bev is one of those people who is tall in stature and strong of heart…a real down-home country boy.
Thank you Bev for blessing the Royalty Records label with your great country voice on your own recordings, and a very special thank you for a most personal gift to myself and Chris Nielsen when you played a song you had written and wondered if we might do a duet recording of what was to become a country classic song, “Stolen Moments”. That incredible song solidified our fortunes as a duet. There is no way Chris and I will ever stop singing this wonderful song when we perform as a duet. There are many memories during one’s lifetime that are etched forever in a person’s memory. Those moments live on; they pass every test of time. Such was a very personal call from Bev about three weeks before he moved on. It lasted more than an hour. We recalled the Saskatchewan days, the CFCW times, the Legends shows. We laughed at each other’s sometimes ridiculous carry-ons, and yes sometimes our voices cracked a bit with emotion.
Bev Munro was my friend. Bev Munro was the Royalty family’s friend. Bev Munro will live on in our most cherished thoughts forever. From all of us Rob, Kathryn, Chris, Grandson Mitchell, and yours truly. Rest in Peace Bev. You’ve earned it.”
– R. Harlan Smith
CHRIS BUCK BAND – SPIN ON IT (Official Lyric Video)
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEcZlg1aYKg[/embedyt]
Chris Buck Band’s New Video & Single PREMIERS on Sirius XM Country
The brand new single from Chris Buck Band will premiere online at SiriusXM.ca! Be among the first to hear #SpinOnIt complete with lyric video
.
CHRIS BUCK BAND RELEASE NEW SINGLE “SPIN ON IT”
Back with another get-stuck-on-repeat single to ring in the spring season, Chris Buck Band reminds us to take the time to enjoy life and loved ones with “Spin On It”. An undeniable catchy single, “Spin On It” is equal parts backroad anthem and love song, fused with Chris Buck’s signature All-In style, hitting country radio airwaves March 20th & online March 30th, 2018.
“Spin On It” comes as the first single from a new Chris Buck Band album due in fall 2018, and in advance of a busy touring season for the band, playing shows and festivals from the Maritimes to the west coast throughout the spring and summer, including Rockin River Music Fest in Merritt, BC, Boots & Hearts Festival in Ontario, and Frontier Days in Saskatchewan, amoung many more. For more show dates and ticket links to events, visit http://chrisbuckband.com/.
In 2017 Chris Buck burst onto the Canadian Country scene with his self-titled debut album, and the Top 20 hit “That’s When You Know”. The quintessential love song blew up the digital media and music worlds, with more than 2.3 million streams on Spotify and over 80 playlist adds to date, a CCMA nomination for Video of the Year, 6 months of “Top 10 Most Wanted” on SiriusXM, and capped off the year with winning Album of the Year at the British Columbia Country Music Awards, among many other accolades.
From auspicious beginnings as a local bar band to becoming a top charting country artist, Chris Buck’s style has always been upbeat and positive. Not one to waste a moment of the life granted to him, Chris’ dedication and appreciative nature shine boldly through his music, showing strength and positivity in the face of adversity. Though he played music from a young age, he was inspired to go “all in” and pursue a serious career in music after the death of a young musician friend whom he had mentored. For years the band rode the asphalt playing every show they could, honing their skills and growing a grassroots following. Today, Chris Buck Band is one of the fastest rising country music artists in Canada, and has built a following of thousands of fans.
For more on Chris Buck Band,
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify
ROYALTY RECORDS SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF TOMMY BANKS
A member of Canada’s Senate for 11 years, Banks, 81, died Thursday January 25th, 2018 in the palliative unit of the Grey Nuns Hospital. In a statement, his family said a public service of celebration will be held at a later date.A precocious musician as a child, Banks began his professional career at 14 in the band of jazz saxophonist Don Thompson. By the age of 18, he was music director of the Orion Musical Theatre in Edmonton, and co-ordinator of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. At age 32, Banks was host, pianist, conductor and arranger for the Gemini Award-winning Tommy Banks Show, which ran until 1974, and again from 1980 to 1983.
In a 2016 interview with Postmedia, Banks credited his parents (his mother was Edmonton television personality Laura Lindsay) with trusting him enough to let him begin his touring career at a tender age. He remained grateful for the opportunity to entertain audiences locally and around the world for more than 65 years.
Royalty Records president Rob Smith Says, “Tommy was always open to helping me with his vast experience and knowledge and taught me a lot…rest in peace.”Royalty Records is proud to have worked with Tommy and representing the following albums worldwide on his behalf starting in the mid 90’s:
| AT THE MONTREUX FESTIVAL | |
| BIG BAND FOR DANCERS ONLY | |
| IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD | |
| THE HOLIDAY SEASON | |
| OLD FRIENDS | |
| TOMMY BANKS’ CHRISTMAS | |
| YES INDEED |
-30-
Royalty Records
kathryn.hummel@royaltyrecords.
(416) 712-9375
THE ORCHARD PICKS UP A 2017 ACMA NOMINATION FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Announced – December 7th, 2017 (Edmonton, AB) – The Association of Country Music in Alberta (ACMA)™ is pleased to present the Top 5 nominees in each awards category for the upcoming 2017 Alberta Country Music Awards™. Amongst those 2017 Nominees, included The Orchard, for Album of the Year, for their release of The Great Unknown, produced by grammy award winning Producer Jim Scott and recorded at Calgary’s own OCL Studios.
Kasha Anne and Mitch Smith, the singer/songwriter duo better known as The Orchard, couldn’t have picked a better title for their brand new album than The Great Unknown. After making an indelible impression on Canada’s country music scene with their first two records, the Alberta natives instinctively knew heading into their third release that change was imminent.
Led by the anthemic first single “Sometimes I Wonder”, The Great Unknown is a cosmic blend of rock, country and pop. It’s a vision the pair had from the beginning of completely ignoring genre definitions and just doing what came naturally. Still, they needed a trusted hand to guide them in the studio, and there was no one better to ask than producer Jim Scott (Tedeschi Trucks Band, Marcus King Band).
All other winners will be announced Sunday January 28, 2018 during the 2017 Alberta Country Music Awards™.
R. Harlan Smith – New Book – Hitch Your Wagon to a Star
The Orchard – YOUR STORY (Acoustic – Live Off The Floor)
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU4Y3CaWb8o[/embedyt]
CHRIS BUCK BAND TAKE HOME ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT THE 2017 BC COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
ANNOUNCED – Sunday October 22nd, 2017 – Coquitlam, BC
CHRIS BUCK BAND TAKE HOME ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT THE 2017 BC COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
Chris Buck Band was nominated in 7 categories and took home Album of the Year.
Released early Spring 2017 and signed in 2016 with Royalty Records / Sony Music Canada, Chris Buck Band’s debut album, boasts over 2.2 million streams on Spotify, featuring 4x top 40 country radio hits including, “Leave Your Light On“, the club country dance sensation “Giddy Up“, “Sun Sets Down” and their billboard top 20 radio smash “That’s When You Know ft Kira Isabella”.
So honoured and grateful to have even been recognized! I co-wrote on every song on this album, this means even more because of that. Won’t forget this one – Chris Buck
Alongside this incredible accolade, band member Phil Puxley won Special Instrument of the Year for Banjo and Jeff Johnson of Baileyway Entertainment took home Producer of the Year.
It’s an honour to get to share in the creative processes and recorded journeys of the artists and bands I produce. They include me in their musical vision and I will always value that bond of trust and do my best for everyone I work with. More than winning an award like a CCMA or BCCMA is the friendships and the community that growth that comes from collectively celebrating this amazing music business. – Jeff Johnson
The award show was hosted on Sunday October 22nd, 2017 at the Molson Canadian Theatre (formally Red Robinson Theatre) – Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam, BC, where winners were revealed.
For a full list of all winners, follow this link: http://bccountry.com