David McPherson

Nova Scotia's Gift From Heaven Canadian Contralto Portia White a true trailblazer

Born in Truro, Nova Scotia in 1911, Portia May White (whose name was inspired by the heroine in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice), had a dream to become a professional singer. Trained in the bel canto method, the contralto’s voice was a “gift from heaven.”

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Take Off, Eh? Great White North & Strange Brew celebrate 44 3/4 years of hoser history

Take Off, Eh?
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Nirvanna the band the show the movie In a world where every day we wake up to another headline that makes us shake our collective heads, get rage-baited by some stranger on social media—that, for all we know, might be a bot—we all need m...

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Long Live Live Music A look back at some of my favourite concerts of 2025

Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes. How does one measure a year? For me, the past 364 days are measured in my love of live music. From Michigan to Minneapolis, in venues large and small, here are my Top 15 concerts of 2025.

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How Adam Baldwin’s song became a feature film - SOCAN Words and Music As Little Lorraine hits the big screen

Published today. A really cool story about how @adambaldwinracket.bsky.social song “Lighthouse in Little Lorraine” became a feature film starring J Balvin.

www.socanmagazine.ca/features/how...

Agreed 💯

As iconic Toronto music venue Lee’s Palace turns 40, artists and industry bigs share their favourite memories The Bloor Street West concert hall has been celebrating its anniversary with a special concert series.

Long live live music & the venues that support artists & offer a community hub and space for music-lovers to gather. My feature story in today’s @thestar.com on Lee’s Palace www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Revisiting 'Highway 61 Revisited' At 60: How Bob Dylan's Electric Masterpiece Changed The World | GRAMMY.com On his 1965 album 'Highway 61 Revisited,' Bob Dylan ushered in a new sound — blending folk and rock to create a magnum opus that remains a touchstone for artists. As the GRAMMY Hall of Fame album turn...

Revisiting Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited. Wrote some words for GRAMMY.com on this masterpiece. www.grammy.com/news/bob-dyl...

On ‘We’re Only Human,’ Hayes Carll Offers an Honest and Authentic Reflection of Himself and the World Hayes Carll is done pretending, done chasing the wrong dreams for the wrong reasons. From deep-rooted insecurities and fears too long ingrained in his brain to following its “long-winded fountain of u...

ICYMI: my conversation with —and feature on—Hayes Carll for @nodepression about his damn fine new record “We’re Only Human” out last week that IMHO is one of the best yet from this Texas troubadour and talented songwriter. nodepression.org/on-were-only...

Two Songs for the Price of One The story behind the Guess Who's classic "No Sugar Tonight/ New Mother Nature"

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The fun and fascinating origin story behind the two songs in one Guess Who classic “No Sugar Tonight/ New Mother Nature”

Accordion master Flaco Jimenez has died at 86 Over a career that spanned 70 years, Jimenez' playing came to define the Tex-Mex music and carried the tradition-drenched conjuto sound all over the world and across genres.

Over a career that spanned 70 years, Jimenez' playing came to define the Tex-Mex music and carried the tradition-drenched conjuto sound all over the world and across genres.

Remembering Ozzy Osbourne, The Hard Rock Hero Whose Music & Wild Personality Influenced The World | GRAMMY.com The Black Sabbath frontman, Godfather of Metal and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honoree passed away on July 22 at age 76.

My tribute/in memoriam on Ozzy Osbourne for The Grammys.

www.grammy.com/news/ozzy-os...

I wrote a fun essay about superman and pop-punk for this week's NPR Music newsletter. It will be sent out this weekend, sign up if you wanna read it thanks!https://www.npr.org/newsletter/music

@guygavrielkay.bsky.social Started to get lost in your latest yesterday. 👍👍

Music Writing Southern gifts for good reading, listening and living. Curated by the editors of Oxford American magazine. All purchases support The Oxford American Literary Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Our hearts are heavy for our friends and neighbors in Texas impacted by the devastating flooding. From now until Saturday, July 12, we will donate $5 from every Music Issue sold to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.

Thanks to my alma mater for including my new @dundurnpress.bsky.social ⛳️ book in this esteemed list of summer reads.

Happy Juneteenth!

I saw it with my wife on opening night in my hometown and loved it. A beautiful story well-told that we all can use more of these days. Heartfelt thanks from a longtime constant reader & writer.

Remembering Brian Wilson: A Pop Music Trailblazer, Sonic Genius & Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree | GRAMMY.com The Beach Boys co-founder, arranger and co-writer of the group’s chart-topping hits "I Get Around," "Help Me, Rhonda," and "Good Vibrations" passed away on June 11 at age 82.

I wrote a few words for GRAMMY.com about Brian Wilson & the wide-ranging influence of this musical genius & visionary. #brianwilsonRIP

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Ode to a Hardcore Troubadour With renaissance man Steve Earle joining the Grand Ole Opry, revisit a feature I wrote about the award-winning songwriter a decade ago

With Steve Earle getting invited late last week to join the Grand Ole Opry, revisit this 2015 feature I wrote about the hardcore troubadour and Grammy -winning songwriter.

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Another important part of a good query is answering the ‘why now’ question.

💯 I can’t wait to see Neil with this new band this summer in Toronto.

Going Coastal with Neil Young New feature film a candid and intimate affair

“Going Coastal” with Neil … my latest rumination on the feature film directed by Neil’s wife Daryl Hannah.

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Great stuff Michael! Look forward to a game again this year. I’ll have to get you a copy of my new golf book.

Thanks Tim. You definitely need to return and see a show at the revitalized and rejuvenated Massey.

Thanks for the plug.

Back in 1970, 🇨🇦 singer Anne Murray took Gene MacLellan’s song “Snowbird” all the way to No. 1 on the U.S. charts. The cross-over hit was later covered by more than 100 other artists. Learn more about this song that lingers on in my latest Substack & subscribe here: open.substack.com/pub/davidmcp...

Calling all golfers! ⛳ While you wait for the green to be less snow-filled, why not test your knowledge of the beautiful game with #golf trivia, fun facts, and little-known history.

Indigo: https://buff.ly/3Q4lY4q
Amazon: https://buff.ly/3EANB2q
Local Bookstore: https://buff.ly/3CMlJb3

An Ode to a Lost Venue The Dakota Tavern joins a too long list of Toronto bars where the music has died

RIP to another live music venue—The Dakota Tavern. I discovered this Toronto spot thanks to Luke Doucet. It’s where I discovered many new artists & spent many a late night Some nights I was too far gone in my drinking days & other nights was far too sober.

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