Award Winners

Former ‘Degrassi’ producer on becoming a recording artist at 76 and what Drake’s really like

Stephen Stohn will release The Orange Sessions with his group, GTA Rhythm Section. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star He’s the chancellor of Trent University, an Order of Canada member, a former top entertainment attorney to the stars and has served as executive producer for most of the run of the “Degrassi” TV franchise. And at 76, Stephen Stohn just added a new accomplishment to his impressive résumé: recording artist. As…

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Taylor Swift may be the hottest ticket in town, but our city has always loved a good gig. Here are Toronto’s 10 biggest concerts of all time

The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and U2 are a few of the artists who drew the largest crowds. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star A rolling stone may gather no moss, but the Rolling Stones certainly gather the masses, especially in or near Toronto. With Taylor Swift and her six-date run at Rogers Centre swiftly approaching, what better time to take a look at Toronto’s all-time biggest concerts. Swift’s…


She was Taylor Swift’s early secret weapon, who helped write some of the star’s biggest songs. Meet Liz Rose.

Liz Rose played a formative role for the then-teenage Nashville high school student, collaborating with her on 17 songs. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Taylor Swift might not have become the most popular singer-songwriter on the planet today if it weren’t for Liz Rose. This isn’t to say that Swift wouldn’t have sold more than 200 million records, garnered untold billions of streams, had 92 million monthly listeners on…


Chantal Kreviazuk makes her Massey Hall concert a family affair. It just took some time for it to click

The legendary Canadian singer-songwriter had some help from husband Raine Maida’s band Our Lady Peace, plus a supporting act from her son.  By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Chantal Kreviazuk Three stars (out of 4)  Massey Hall, Toronto  Friday, Nov. 8, 2024  The family that plays together, stays together. As cliché as that might seem, that was the conceptual thread that ran through Chantal Kreviazuk’s two-and-a-half hour concert at Massey…


‘Surprise is the essence of music’: Sting still has a few tricks up his sleeve in five-show Toronto stint

By Nick Krewen Special to the Star One amazing evening down … four to go. Rock superstar Sting returned to the familiar and intimate surroundings of Massey Hall Friday night for the first of five concerts in six nights at Toronto’s Grand Old Lady, which — if not unprecedented for the venue — certainly is rare. With his longtime guitarist Dominic Miller and recently recruited Mumford & Sons touring drummer…