From left to right: Richard Manuel, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson. Richard, Levon and Rick have passed away. Garth and Robbie are still active in the music industry as arrangers and producers and recording artists.

This photo screams Canadian band. (It is just a great photo!)

This year 2017 is the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Dominion of Canada.

My intention is to send out Canadian artists music each week for the entire year.

The music will include some of the earliest artists and some artists that you may have not known were Canadian.

Over the last few weeks, I have sent out songs by The Band who’s original name was The Hawks and again this week I am sending two songs by The Band to start off this year long homage to the musical artists of our Dominion.

It was not an easy road for the Canadian music industry as all our recordings were controlled by the U.S. music industry and at one point Canadian artists had a difficult time getting their music played on a Canadian radio station, because the music play lists were controlled by New York. As well, Canadian artists had to disguise themselves as American acts when on the road or the industry would not play their records.

As Canadian producers were constantly pushing Canadian music to New York agents to play, the idea of creating our own industry began to flourish. It was a big challenge for such a small populated nation.

When the Canadian government passed a law that required Canadian Radio Stations to play three Canadian artists out of every ten songs played on the radio, the Canadian industry began to evolve and take shape.

Today the Billboard 100 top ten list has a at least five Canadian acts in the Top Ten on a constant basis and U.S. producers are scrambling to sign and produce Canadian acts for the U.S. market.

Our own Shania Twain single handily saved the U.S. country music industry when they were scrambling to stay afloat.

The Canadian music industry is leading the world in genres and original sounds and Canadians in general should be proud of their fellow citizens and the Canadian

Music Industry as a whole.

This song ‘It makes no Difference’ is just an easy listen and every time I think about this song, I can hear Rick Danko’s voice. It is just a great tune.

The Band have been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

I am sending two songs this week by The Band (THE HAWKS).

Enjoy

PS:  Remember that Canada means Settlement and Canadians are Settlers Happy 150th.