Beyond The Melody Podcast with Brian Melo

JUNO Award-winning Canadian bluesman Steve Strongman is a versatile talent, and a restless one. By constantly pushing himself in new directions, he has kept himself vital. His talent is huge and impossible to miss, and it's matched by his staggering musical ambition — as guitar-slinger, songwriter or vocalist. The same structures and progressions that animate blues and roots music can also choke the air out of it, smothering it in caricature and cliché. But Strongman is a subtle shape-shifter who manages to slip that trap without betraying the music he loves. Throughout, he never sounds an inauthentic note or loses touch with the essence of the blues.The 2019 release of Strongman's 7th studio recording "Tired of Talkin'" is destined to further establish the guitar slinger's reputation as one of the most exciting artists on the International Blues scene. Strongman's impressive resume includes stints opening for guitar legends such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Johnny Winter. The performer's breakthrough 2012 release A Natural Fact was hailed as a standout, earning Maple Blues Awards for Recording, Songwriter, and Guitarist Of The Year as well as a 2013 Juno Award for Blues Recording Of The Year. In 2014 he was thrice-nominated at the Maple Blues Awards (Guitar Player, Electric Act, and Entertainer of the Year) and in 2015 received a second Juno nod for Blues Album of the Year (for Let Me Prove It To You). In 2018, No Time Like Now, was a Juno award nominee for Blues Album of the Year and in 2019, Strongman won Best Guitarist for the Solo Duo Category at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. His 2019 release “Tired of Talkin” is earning rave reviews and showcases why Strongman is one of the most exciting performers on the scene today.Beyond Strongman's talent as a songwriter, guitarist and front man is his ability to engage his audience and deliver an outstanding performance at every live show. With his inimitable guitar playing and soulful vocals, Strongman delivers incredible performances with power and passion. Steve Strongman has a way of stirring a crowd that evokes the emotion, maturity and authenticity of classic blues themes. His music speaks for truth and passion, and offers hope for the soul in the face of hard times in a way that leaves audiences craving more. In a musical world of many pretenders, Steve Strongman is as real and authentic as it gets.

Ahkinoah Habah Izarh, better known by the stage name AHI is a Canadian singer-songwriter, whose album In Our Time was named as a Juno Award nominee for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2019. Originally from Brampton, Ontario and based primarily in Toronto, he released his debut album We Made It Through the Wreckage in 2016. In 2017, he won the Canadian Songwriting Competition in the folk category, as well as the Stingray Rising Star Award at the Folk Music Ontario conference.  He then signed to Thirty Tigers, which released his sophomore album In Our Time in 2018.  In 2021 AHI released his third album Prospect that has been nominated for Roots Album Of The Year for this years 2022 Juno Awards.

Mountain Head begins with the Hannah Brothers, and a mountain. The mysterious duo wandered through the wasteland and arrived at a mountain, which they scaled. At the top, they discovered a shaman who changed the brothers' lives and way of thinking forever. Descending the mountain, they channeled Johnny Cash, Flavor Flav, and Billy Gibbons. Dressed in black denim, rocking solid gold grills and long beards, their eyes were obscured by heavy shadows from the brims of their black hats. The most startling change was their music, full of subterranean grooves, plump cavernous bass lines, and a jangly, grungy guitar. Their sound blends psych-rock, alt-rock, and elements of electro-pop and jangle pop into unique and potent sonic concoctions. Mountain Head's goal is to travel to your city and steal your head by means of mesmerizing vocals and contagious melodies. They're skull bandits, but polite ones, because after they steal your head, they give it back to you. According to Mountain Head, the only way to hold on to your head is to lose it.

Steven Ryan is a Singer/Songwriter from southern Ontario. His honest lyrical style and emotionally charged vocal performance has garnered him many accolades locally and abroad. His sophomore release “Light Of Day” is out now. Featuring the uplifting cinematic pop ballad “I Would Be Me” and the equally uplifting “Confidence”. Whether you're in love or missing a love you once had, songs like “If This Ain't Love” and “I Should've Loved You Better” will pull at your heart strings. If you're looking for songs to cry to press play on “Human After All'' or “Hands” and if you wanna dance give “Burns Like Fire” and “Keep Movin' On” a listen.  His debut album”Take My Hand” produced by Juno winning producer Dan Brodbeck (Dolores O'riordan, Landon Pigg) was released in 2014. Since then Steven has had viral success on YouTube with over 1.5 million views and over half a million streams across digital streaming platforms. Steven is constantly making strides in his mission to emotionally connect with as many people as possible through music.

It takes a unique talent to create a sound that is timely yet comfortably familiar. Toronto's Jesse Gold manages to seamlessly blend pop music with R&B sensibilities, resulting in a sound that pays homage to an eclectic mix of long-time inspirations (Craig David, Lauryn Hill, John Mayer) and progressive contemporaries (Lucky Daye, Tom Misch, H.E.R.). There's something for everyone in Jesse's catalogue: wry songwriting, addictive melodies, silky vocals, and smart production. ​Look no further than Gold's standout track “One In A Million” for an infectious hybrid of them all. Earning a coveted spot on Spotify's Fresh Finds: Best of Pop 2020 list and high marks from Ones To Watch, Euphoria Magazine, American Songwriter and more, the track perfectly captures what Gold hopes to achieve with his repertoire. “I want to make music to be shared. The kind of songs you send to your friends before the track ends.” ​“Drawing inspiration from every genre is my secret weapon,” Gold explains. “To make music is to study music.” Gold brings years of skill and effortless creativity to both the studio and stage, a craft only sharpened by collaborations with Babyface and Craig David, and a partnership with renowned creative director Sean Brown (Daniel Caesar, Curves). ​In June 2019, Gold released his debut EP We'll Be Fine, a lively collection of songs about the pitfalls of modern romance. The project has collectively amassed over one million streams to date and a stamp of approval from Complex which rightfully recognizes Gold as “far from a new kid on the block” and “a lifelong musician and seasoned performer.”​Featuring “One In A Million” and lead single “We Good,” Gold's sophomore EP arrives this spring. “I worked harder and smarter than I ever have on this record. Making it with such incredibly talented people and learning so much from them all. I pushed myself harder than I ever have lyrically - I made sure that these songs are exactly who I want to be as an artist.”

Brian Byrne is a Canadian singer and songwriter and lead vocalist for the band I Mother Earth.

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Royal Wood has established himself as a true musical talent. Since being proclaimed Songwriter of the Year by iTunes Canada, Royal Wood has continued to evolve and hone his musical craft – maintaining an unmistakable identity while uncovering and reinventing his sound.Royal Wood has three albums that have debuted in the Top 30, multiple JUNO nominations, multiple Canadian Folk Music Award nominations and a #1 added song at Hot AC Radio. His songs have been heard on high profile sync placements like Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. He has headlined all over the world including iconic venues like Massey Hall in Toronto and has performed his music with major symphonies and opened national tours for legendary artists like Bonnie Raitt and David Gray.

Desmond Clark played with the Chicago Bears for eight of his 12 years as an NFL Tight End. When he retired, he trailed only Hall Of Famer Mike Ditka in most team statistical categories for that position. Since leaving football, Desmond has been a successful financial advisor, motivational speaker and author of his book "Principles Of Winning" 5 Keys To Create A Standard Of Excellence. Desmond is also the co-owner of The Insurance People and is a frequently sought-after speaker/guest for national television, radio and corporations.

Keys N KratesTurntablist JR Flo, keyboardist David Matisse, and drummer Adam Tune formed the electronic band Keys N Krates in Toronto, Ontario. The trio took shape in 2008 and sought to combine their wide range of inspirations, from early house music to a strain of Southern U.S. rap production that got them tagged as a trap act. Putting their own club spin on the latter with booming bass, double- and triple-time hi-hats, thick synthesizer lines, and samples, they released an EP on YYZ in 2012 and then issued a series of singles and EPs for Steve Aoki's Dim Mak label. Among the most popular was 2013's frantic, hard-hitting "Dum Dee Dum," which reached number 17 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart. Over the next several years, Keys N Krates appeared at the Electric Zoo, Lollapalooza, TomorrowWorld, and Sónar festivals, as well as ...

Alan Cross is a Canadian radio broadcaster and a writer on music. Based in Toronto, Ontario, he is best known nationally and internationally as host of the syndicated radio series The Ongoing History of New Music,  The Secret History of Rock, and ExploreMusic. In 2013, he started the Geeks & Beats podcast with BNN's Michael Hainsworth.

David Boyd Janes // Drove Me CountrySometimes, clichés prove weirdly true. Take that one about dark clouds having silver linings. Turns out, that stuff can happen for real. Just ask David Boyd Janes.  Were it not for a brutal breakup in 2017, which tore up the floorboards of his life, the fast-rising country music singer/songwriter might still be living the contemporary urban dream, successfully selling heating and air conditioning units and living in a nice condo with a girlfriend beside him and a bunch of suits hanging in his closet. Yet that breakup — precipitated in part by Janes' rekindled romance with music via, of all things, singing karaoke in bars — yanked the Toronto-based performer out of his comfort zone and into a suddenly dreary world where the only thing worth doing was making music. All of which sounds like something you might hear in a country song. Enter Janes' dazzling debut, Drove Me Country, so named for his experience (as in, she drove him out of the condo and into country music) and delivered in a distinctive voice alternately conjuring honey and sandpaper.Yet despite Janes' back story, the EP's eight original compositions are decidedly not sad-sack ballads steeped in gloom and swimming in whisky. Rather, Drove Me Countryis an affirmation of what can happen when somebody who has been kicked to curb gets up, dusts himself off, says… well… screw it. Then follows his dream. “My main objective as an artist is to inspire people to follow their own dreams,” Janes says. “Four years ago, I was a broken man sitting alone in my condo thinking, ‘Why did this happen to me?' Now I have this mindset where I can push past things and live my life. Turning my thoughts into reality is not schtick. It's how I live my life now.”Evidence of that transformation is scribbled all over the vivid and diverse Drove Me Country, often in surprising ways. Take lead single “Behind Bars,” a gargantuan roadhouse corker propelled by wailing pedal steel, B3 organ, and Janes' breathtakingly candid (and frankly amusing) lyrics about the aftermath of his split as surveyed from a barstool. At the other end of the spectrum but no less compelling is the super-melodic, soaring, and anthemic ballad “Fools Gold,” in which our man takes stock of what really matters in this life as an ace group of players garland the background with gleaming steel and guitars. “The song ‘Fools Gold' is who I am,” Janes says, adding it's one of his favourites on the album. “If you want to get to know me in three minutes, listen to that song. As for ‘Behind Bars,' I'm not a big drinker and this song isn't about blowing off steam in a bar; it's about playing in bars, getting back into music and brushing off the bad news. Sometimes you just have to move on.” He continues: “I went through a lot when that girl up and left. I don't mean to sound overly dramatic, but it took me four years to rebuild my confidence. I finally realized I couldn't hold myself down any longer.”Ironically, had it not been for the abovementioned girlfriend, Janes might still be wearing neckties and slinging HVACs. Though Janes “had been doing music his whole life” and grew up immersed in country music courtesy his mom and dad — smalltown Newfoundland transplants to Toronto — he started out playing rock and roll. When that experience soured, “I turned my back on music for, like 10 years. “Years later, my girlfriend and I, just for kicks, went to a karaoke bar. I sang a few songs and the reaction I got was amazing. People asked if I was in a band. This happened a bunch of times, and soon enough I was entering karaoke competitions. This was around 2016. “One night, I said to my girlfriend, ‘I think I should get back into music.'  She looked at me and said, ‘That is not what I signed up for.' I

        The Redhill Valleys is a four-piece Americana & Roots Rock group originally based out of Hamilton, Canada, where their grit and determination developed early on as an independent band. Somewhere between the rugged Northern landscapes and a resilient blue-collar steel town, band members Chelsea McWilliams (Bass/Vocals), Tim Allard (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Danielle Beaudin (Guitar/Vocals), and Matt Soliveri (Drums) found an undeniable chemistry and a shared passion for songwriting, and Rock and Roll.          Their exciting sound is an amalgam of Rock, Americana, and Alternative Country, with powerful, earthy harmonies, rootsy guitar licks, and timeless lyrics. This Canadian band is carving their own path with an edge towards driving the evolution and resurgence of Americana back into mainstream music, with influences from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Neil Young, The Band, and Fleetwood Mac.           The Redhill Valleys emerged with a force onto the Canadian music scene in 2016 and have remained steadfast on the Indie path. They have since gained recognition nationwide, with notable awards and nominations in the respected Alternative Country genre, and as a band you do not want to miss.       Throughout their existence, The Redhill Valleys have been acknowledged by several contests, nominations, and achievements. For example, they came in 2nd place in the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase. They were also selected as Top 12 out of hundreds of entries in the nationwide “Top of the Country” contest.                  The Redhill Valleys have been nominated 3 years in a row for “Best Roots Artist or Group” at the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards and performed in the Canadian Country Music Awards Songwriter Series with several notable artists. To top it off, they are on rotation on both Sirius and Terrestrial radio.         From country to rock-and-roll, The Redhill Valleys sound is something special, which brings a diverse crowd of music lovers together.  Find The Redhill Valleys on Spotify, Apple Music, and across their social media platforms. 

This week on Beyond the Melody Podcast Brian speaks with lead guitarist of rock bandTHE TREWS!!The Trews are a Canadian rock band from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, consisting of vocalist Colin MacDonald, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek, and drummer Chris Gormley.  The Trews were among the top 150 best-selling Canadian artists in Canada and among the top 40 selling Canadian bands in Canada.  With over 18 top ten singles under their belt.

 The music of Forest Blakk comes from an unshakable sense of purpose, a belief in building beauty from life's most painful moments. Growing up in Montreal, with time spent in Florida and Jamaica, the singer/songwriter first took up guitar as a refuge from his chaotic home life, then spent years learning to channel his most complex emotions into song. With his breakthrough single “If You Love Her” -a fall 2020 release that marks his Billboard debut- Blakk has brought his heart-on-sleeve songwriting to a whole new level of resonance, again proving music's power to transform both audience and artist.Starkly arranged and deceptively simple, the song unfolds with a raw intensity as Blakk pays tribute to a former partner, infusing every line with his soul-stirring vocals.With its intricate detail and lucid self-expression, “If You Love Her” reveals the lyrical finesse Blakk first cultivated by writing poems as a kid. At age 15, he began exploring his musical side by learning to play a guitar given to him by his grandmother. By that point, Blakk had endured a lifetime's worth of trouble: born in Montreal, he spent much of his childhood with his mother (who struggled with addiction) and his stepfather (a notorious drug dealer), moving around constantly and finding himself on and off the streets after his stepdad went to prison. Soon after moving to Calgary at age 21, he formed a band that later earned a JUNO nomination. In the years following the band's dissolution, Blakk experienced a period of profound change, ultimately embracing the more soulful and folk-leaning sound that defines his music today. One of the first songs embodying that sound, “Love Me” earned attention from heavyweights like Pete Ganbarg (president of A&R at Atlantic Records) and legendary music exec Seymour Stein, paving the way for Blakk's signing to Atlantic in 2015.

Alan Frew is an author, speaker and lead-singer of legendary rock group Glass Tiger! Glass Tiger is a Grammy Award-nominated Canadian rock band from Newmarket, Ontario that formed in 1983. The band has released five studio albums. Its 1986 debut album, The Thin Red Line, went quadruple platinum in Canada and gold in the United States. Two singles from that album, "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)" and "Someday", reached the U.S. Top 10.Contents1History2Members2.1Timeline3Discography3.1Studio albums3.2Live albums3.3Compilation albums3.4Singles4Awards and nominations5Notes6References7External links

On this episode of Beyond the Melody, Brian speaks with renowned multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Joel Guenther. Joel has play with such artist like Tomi Swick, Brian Griffith and Poor Angus.  

Delivering track after track with unparalleled quality and consistency, Tim Hicks' ascent as an elite chart-topping act since making his country label debut in 2013 is undeniable. His vast catalogue of highly praised releases including Throw Down, 5:01, 5:01+, Shake These Walls, New Tattoo, Wreck This and his latest EP Campfire Troubadour, have earned the four-time JUNO Award nominee and CCMA Award winner three PLATINUM selling singles, nine GOLD singles, one GOLD album, two #1 singles and eighteen Top 10 radio hits, in addition to over 87 million collective streams, multiple sold-out headlining dates and back to back national tours.

Manolis Zontanos is a Canadian standup comedian from Hamilton, Ontario who has appeared on The Comedy Network, Just For Laughs, MTV Canada & more.Touring the world as a comedian, Manolis has worked with the likes of Russell Peters, Ari Shaffir and Rick Shapiro to name a few.His unique brand of humour allows audiences into the mind of a simple, yet at the same time very complex man that leaves people feeling as though they made a new best friend. He is not one to miss!

Jon Harvey is the lead singer of rock group Monster Truck!!Monster Truck is a homegrown Canadian success story about a group of four guys that wanted to play real rock music, raw, uncut and in a pure form without anything fancy attached to it. Over the last ten years, they've gone from being a local favourite within the Hamilton bar band scene to an internationally touring tour de force. These men went from covering some of their favourite artists to opening for them on stages across the globe.Imagine you're jamming with your friends one minute, and a year later you're opening for rock legends including Deep Purple, Alice in Chains, Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators..

Clint Younge is a pioneer in Canada's cannabis industry. In recent years, he has traveled the world as a cannabis consultant, addressed Parliament on behalf of the industry, and made a small fortune in the process.Clint, has been on the cover of several pot-related publications and has won the Cannabis Crusader award multiple times. He is currently working on the launch of his latest venture, Charlie's Cannabis Co. and Charlie's Pharmacy. 

Singer-songwriter Tomi Swick is a Hamilton native who was recognized for his debut album "Stalled out in the Doorway" in 2007 by winning the juno for best new artist and a nomination for pop record of the year as well as 2 Canadian radio music awards, the Socan A/C songwriting award and multiple Hamilton music awards. A Warner/Chappell Publishing recording artist, Tomi spent four months in London England where he recorded his second album with top British producer Chris Potter of Verve / Richard Ashcroft Acclaim as well as many others.  This self titled record " Tomi Swick" was released on Warner Music Canada in 2012. Tomi has written, toured and played with many great bands and artists such as Julian Lennon, The Barenaked Ladies, The Goo Goo Dolls, Stabilo, Collective Soul, Tom Cochrane, Tom Wilson, Sam Roberts, Big Wreck, Feist , Jeremy Fisher, Blue Rodeo, Ron Sexsmith etc...In 2016 Tomi released his 3rd album Yukon Motel that received incredible critical acclaim 

Dave Tabone is the founder and music director of the award winning 300 voice B.R. Xpression Vocal Ensemble, the 40-pieceB.R. Celtic Fusion Concert Band and also the B.R Celtic Groove Jazz band.   He has successfully led these groups on numerous competitive trips representing his school, community and city throughout Nashville, Memphis, New York, Chicago, Boston, Montreal, and Washington DC at the International Heritage Music Festival, bringing home GOLD medals nine times.  In his 32 years of secondary school teaching, Dave has won numerous awards including the prestigious Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board Distinguished Service Award, the HWCDSB Director's Award, two Hamilton Music Awards for Secondary music teacher of the year, the City of Hamilton's Week of the Child Award, The City of Hamilton Arts Education Award, and the International Heritage Festival Director's Award. Dave is also a past nominee for the Premier's Award for Teaching Excellence and the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.  One of Dave's highlights in Education is when international pop sensation LORDE choose his BR Xpression Vocal ensemble to back her up live at the iHeart radio Much Music Video Awards in Toronto in 2017.  Dave has a long-time working relationship with Canada's illustrious Maestro Boris Brott and his National Academy Orchestra.Most recently Dave and his equally musically talented wife Mary, have opened the Tabone Academy of Music in Hamilton.  Unlike other music schools the Tabone academy features a full café serving delicious plant-based desserts and delicious Italian coffees and espresso, lattes and also a professional stage for the academy students to perform on nightly in a professional setting.

Rick Campanelli is a Canadian television and radio personality known for his work as a VJ and host for MuchMusic and for co-hosting ET Canada.

About Andrew Mactaggart, Founder, Burlingtone Music AcademyBorn and raised in Burlington Ontario, Andrew Mactaggart is an accomplished, versatile and sought-after musician.Andrew saved up his money for 15 years to buy his first guitar and he hasn't put it down since. To this day Andrew walks around the house with his “axe” strapped to his back at all times. Andrew's love of the guitar runs very deep. Since his first strum, he has dedicated his life to all things guitar - performance, recording, pedal sounds, theory, and almost 20 years of instruction at well-established music schools. While behind a guitar is “home” for Andrew, he is a multi-instrumentalist, proficient at playing the mandolin and ukulele as well.Andrew's years of performing on stage, in studio and on screen have made him a master of his trade and a first choice to backup country, pop and rock artists alike, including Brian Melo, Tomi Swick, Tara Oram, Jason McCoy, Dallas Smith, Kira Isabella, Small Town Pistols, Tim Hicks, Tebey, Madeline Merlo, Maggie Rose, Gretchen Wilson, Alice Cooper & Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.Music is Andrew's life, a path that not only lead to a successful career, but one that also lead him to his future wife, Suzie McNeil. After a year of playing together as bandmates in The Loving Mary Band in Nashville, they caught the eye of Aerosmith front man, Steven Tyler who asked them to back him up for his Out on a Limb North American Tour.Contributing to multiple gold record recordings, touring the world and playing alongside his wife in all of their many musical projects, Andrew has made music his life, a passion that overflows into every lesson his gives

Eric Ruscinski is a producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist that has made the successful transition from the Hamilton, Ontario club scene to Los Angeles studio sideman, working for some of the top names in the business, including Celine Dion, Jason Mraz and Alessia Cara. 

Harry Hess is a songwriter/producer/engineer and mixer who's numerous recording credits span over the last twenty five years back to when he signed his first deal as a recording artist at the age of fifteen.The former Warner Music Canada artist has honed his production/engineering skills along side of his singing and songwriting duties as a recording artist.As well as owning a full production recording facility, he has made records in numerous countries around the world, including: Japan, Malaysia, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Holland, Canada and the U.K.Harry's songwriting ability has earned him 14 top forty hits around the world and sales of well over 2 million records in 43 countries.Jan. 1st 09 Harry signed a worldwide publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing.

On the next episode of Beyond the Melody,  Brian sits down with bass player Dave McMillan of the incredible Canadian Rock group BIG WRECK! 

On the this episode of Beyond the Melody, Brian sits down with celebrity photographer George Pimentel.For the past 25 years, George Pimentel has documented celebrities in every capacity and context, from TIFF and Cannes, to The Oscars, The Golden Globes and the Met Gala. His body of work started in 1993 when George landed his first career break. With  his Hasselblad camera in hand, he captured his first celebrity photo of Robert De Niro at the Toronto Film Festival. He recalls, "Ever since then, it has always been my passion. I never want to intrude in their business. I build trust and try to capture the stars in their own element."

 On this episode of Beyond The Melody, Brian speak with Canadian country star Jason Blaine! At the root of it all, Jason Blaine was born to sing, write and entertain. His love for country music has taken him to  the forefront of the Canadian music scene where he has remained for over a decade. With over 12 Top 10 singles in  Canada including hits such as “Country Side” and “Friends of Mine”, he has also become a craftsmen of hits for  other people including Chris Jansen, Parmalee, Petric and Madeline Merlo and others.  Originally from Pembroke, Ontario, Blaine moved to Nashville in the fall of 2006 with his wife Amy and their  three-month-old baby girl. He burst onto the scene in a big way in 2007 with his first #1 hit single “Rock In My  Boot” which led to multiple CCMA nominations and paved the way for a string of hit singles and major festival  appearances across the country.  Perhaps the biggest game changer came in 2012 when he released the biographical “They Don't Make ‘Em Like  That Anymore”, which was written for his grandfather. The song was one of his biggest hits connecting with fans of  all generations and eventually went on to win ​CCMA Single of the Year ​ that same year.  In between releasing hit songs and co-headling tours with Tebey, Chad Brownlee and Deric Ruttan, Blaine also  found time to start up his annual Jason Blaine Celebrity Charity Golf Classic. Over the past five years, fellow artists  and hockey legends ranging from Dallas Smith, Tim Hicks, and Gord Bamford, to Doug Gilmour and Bryan Murray  have all contributed to helping raise over $500,000 for various hometown charities in Pembroke.  Now, a multiple CCMA, SOCAN & CMAO award winner with over 20+ radio hits, six full length albums, over 8  million digital streams, and Jason still feels like he's just getting started. Writing full time within Nashville's  publishing community, Jason resides in Hendersonville, Tennessee with his wife Amy and their four children.This past summer the next chapter began as he began work on his brand new album, which was produced by  Danick Dupelle (Emerson Drive, Tebey). The project breathes new life while lending itself to what Jason does best;  great country music performed by one of Canada's most distinctive voices, telling stories of home, love, and nights on the town. As a craftsmen of songs, Jason found and wrote songs for the project which embody his artistry and  move him into the next season of his career. 

On the next episode of Beyond the Melody Brian speaks with D.O Gibson! D.O. Gibson has defied the odds as a rapper from Canada, becoming a certified international artist, a successful record label executive and a socially active community ambassador.  He set a Guinness World Record when he freestyled for nearly nine hours in 2003, sold tens of thousands of CDs, hit #1 on U.S. College Hip Hop Radio charts and travelled the world performing for sold out crowds; D.O.'s success is defined in his own terms. Born in Watrous, Saskatchewan with Cape Breton Nova Scotia roots, D.O. grew up in Southern Ontario before settling in Toronto.In the Fall of 2020, D.O. released his latest single “We Lit” and performed it for the first time alongside Disney C.E.O. Bob Iger at the Dreamer Festival.  “The song carries a universal message.  It's a song about a comeback, but also saying that you haven't left yet.  Although I am a veteran in the business, I feel like I'm just getting started,” says D.O. In 2021, D.O. looks forward to releasing his second book On This Grind which details life lessons learned from the music business.  In spring of 2021, D.O. is set to release Still Driven a new album that celebrates the 20th year anniversary of his first professional release Stay Driven.  “I'm excited about this project because it showcases my longevity in the music industry.  I'm working with so many emerging and established artists that its keeping me fresh.”  The project includes production and collaboration with Mitchell Bailey, Myer Clarity, and 80 Empire.  In between recording, Gibson founded the Stay Driven program that launched in 2001.  Stay Driven is based on D.O.'s own life experiences where he addresses relevant topics such as anti-bullying, peer pressure, and literacy. Gibson has spoke and performed at over one thousand schools reaching hundreds of thousands of students.  Despite COVID, D.O. was still able to perform more than 80 performances in the first few months of 2020.  He looks forward to using a virtual platform to deliver performances in 2021.   In 2012, he released the book Stay Driven. In addition to his career as an artist, he is also the driving force behind Northern Power Summit – regarded in the Urban community as one of the premier emerging conferences in Canada. Somewhere between Tupac (in terms of social consciousness), Fresh Prince (in terms of appeal with youth) and Jay-Z (in terms of business sense), stands D.O., a man who is bounded only by the hours in a day.

Tommy Jackson's dedication to and love for wealth management has been a calling from day one. The philosophy of “all things are possible” rings true as he has gone from humble beginnings to living his dream of becoming a top financial advisor. This status has been recognized for over a decade, with Tommy appearing yearly in Barron's and Forbes' Magazine awards as one of the top financial advisors in the country, including #1 in the State of Alabama.In 1995, Tommy became a youth football coach as a way to give back to his community. After leading his team to 3 consecutive Alabama State Championships, he moved on to High School and coached for 7 years, winning 3 state championships. Tommy's increasing success developed into a youth mentorship program in 1998 called “The Knights”. He trained and mentored over 100 athletes throughout their high school, college, and professional careers, seeing 2 of his Knights go on to play each other in the 2009 Super Bowl.  Another as of 2020 has a career-high WTA doubles ranking of No. 38. Tommy ventured into the field of music in 2010, founding a multi-genre record label called First Note Entertainment. His efforts have achieved over 175 consecutive sold out shows, placed artists in the Billboard Top 20, earned features in national publications and received music placements on TV shows. You have recently heard FNE's songs on The Today Show, World of Dance, American Idol, The Voice, Grey's Anatomy, Council of Dads, I Love Kellie Pickler, Black Ink Crew and more. In 2018, Tommy fully dedicated his career and time to his mentorship efforts, beginning a movement called “The Power of your W.A.L.K.” He brings a program of self-empowerment into schools, colleges, businesses, and communities across the country.

On the next episode of Beyond the Melody Brian speaks with.. professional keyboardist, singer, musical director, vocal producer, music producer, commercial studio owner, and acoustic treatment designer…Kibwe Thomas!The ‘producer' side of Kibwe's career began around his Canadian Idol days in 2008, when he built a 1300 ft2 professional recording studio in his parents' home – and HeavenSound Studio was born. Designed with extensive acoustic engineering properties and decked out with top- of-the-line gear, this was no ordinary “home studio”. Kibwe treated HeavenSound as an ‘invite only' space and used it to produce projects for many Canadian artists from R&B sensation, Divine Brown, to young pop stars like Johnny Orlando and Aja 9.Kibwe's production style truly cannot be described by singling out any one genre, because his projects span across almost all. Instead, it is best described by the feeling he sets out to leave every listener with; stunned. That gift for producing stunning arrangements is sought out by playwrights, songwriters, recording artists, and even major league sports teams! Most recently, his gospel arrangement of “O Canada”, written for the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs went viral and is being praised as one of the best renditions of the Canadian anthem ever recorded.

On the next episode of Beyond the Melody,  Brian speaks with Owner/CEO of Canada's premiere boutique entertainment and production company.... Sole Power Productions! The company has a roster of over 250 performers, producers, technical staff, and managers that produce over 2500 events each year. Their main focus is entertainment, production and artist management.Sole Power has worked with the Much Music awards, YTV Awards, Molson Indy, Grey Cup, T.I.F.F, Chin Picnic, Caribana, Pride, Fashion week, Rogers Cup, and many more.  Abby also manages Dance/Electronic Group : Keys N Krates! 

On today's podcast we have Nashville Rising Star : Jenny Tolman!  Irreverent, quirky and wildly entertaining, country newcomer Jenny Tolman is poised to take over Music City. With a razor-sharp wit and throwback sound, Tolman is on deck to become her generation's Roger Miller—a comedic troubadour with a decidedly feminine perspective, offering savvy wordplay and wisdom far beyond her years.  Her debut album There Goes the Neighborhood  lit up Nashville in 2020. The 13-song collection—with titles like “High Class White Trash” and “Till My Tank Is Empty” delivers engaging snapshots of small-town life in the fictional Jennyville. An equally gifted singer and songwriter, Tolman and her cohorts serve up devilishly astute lyrics, whether they're poking fun at nosey housewives who love to dish and drool in the title track or offering acceptance of “friends that love the pope and friends that love their dope” in the wickedly tongue-in-cheek “My Welcome Mat.” The latter made such an impression on Academy Award–winning actor Jeff Bridges that he cut the song himself, performing it at his kitchen table during Willie Nelson's livestream variety show, Come and Toke It. Not many new artists would step into the spotlight quite so brazenly but doing so has been worth the gamble thus far for Tolman, with the Nashville Scene singling out There Goes the Neighborhood as “Best Country Debut Album,” while The Tennessean named her an “Artist to Watch” and MusicRow Magazine included her in its “Next Big Thing” Class of 2020.