Ron Sexsmith

‘I’m proud of the contribution that I’ve made to the Canadian songbook’: Ron Sexsmith on his Massey Hall retrospective

‘Sexsmith at Sixty’: The singer-songwriter has never had a top 40 hit, but he’s earned the admiration of some of the biggest names in the music business. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star Even Ron Sexsmith would admit he’s a bit of an anomaly. On Thursday, as he performs his career retrospective “Sexsmith at Sixty” while headlining Massey Hall for the sixth time, it’s worth noting that the mellifluously…

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‘I just write, you know?’ Steve Earle has songwriting down pat. Next, a TV pilot, two books and a Broadway musical

The outspoken troubadour responsible for some of music’s most enduring Americana songs has a Massey Hall show Aug. 25. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Steve Earle, the outspoken troubadour responsible for some of music’s most enduring and sublime Americana songs, has a new goal in mind as he creeps toward the age of 70: a Broadway musical. “I’m writing a musical of Tender Mercies with Daisy Foote, whose…


‘He was a great man’: Bob Rock on Gord Downie and Lustre Parfait: their happy accident album.

Love of family and hockey bonded the late Tragically Hip frontman and the Payola$ co-founder and producer. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star So, it turns out that Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie had at least one more album in him. But there’s a difference between Lustre Parfait, the brilliant work he recorded with Payola$ co-founder and über-producer Bob Rock (Metallica, Michael Bublé, Mötley Crüe) that’s out Friday and…


Ron Sexsmith’s lean machine of music is on the move

Acclaimed singer-songwriter settles into new home and new duties in studio for latest album Nick Krewen Music, Thurs. April 27, 2017 There’s a first for everything. In Ron Sexsmith’s case, his 13th album, The Last Rider, marks several debuts, including the first time he’s recorded an album with his touring band and the first time he’s assigned himself the producer’s chair, although he’s co-helmed this one with his longtime drummer…


Fred Penner grabs Basia Bulat, Bahamas, Ron Sexsmith for new album

Celebrated kids’ entertainer recruited a lot of well-known grown-up musicians for the easygoing creation of his new album. Nick Krewen Music, Thu., April 20, 2017 The cat is back — and he’s brought along some cool friends. At 70, beloved children’s entertainer Fred Penner, best known perhaps for his 1979 gem “The Cat Came Back” and his memorable Fred Penner’s Place TV series, has returned with album No. 13, Hear…