Canada Calling

by Dave Chesney-columnist

No doubt, by now you have seen the ghost-like silhouette of a woman's back on the CBC television's promo for an upcoming music special. It simply says, "She's Back." Back, front, side and every other angle you can imagine, is what you will see when CELINE DION debuts material from her latest CD, A New Day. The new disc from Dion will be in record stores on March 26. On April 3, Dion will perform at Montreal's Molson Centre for 12,000 lucky fans. The entire evening will be filmed and edited by April 7 when CBC will broadcast the special coast to coast. In addition to that she will also appear on the popular CBC French television show La Fureur where she will perform six songs from her new CD. The broadcast date for the show will be the same day as THE JUNOS, April 14.

DAVID USHER began his recording career fronting a band that at one time called Vancouver home, MOIST. Usher is presently touring across Canada in support of his second solo CD Morning Orbit. There will be an all ages concert at The Vogue Theatre on March 8, followed by a concert the next night at the Commodore Ballroom. What the effect the solo career of Usher will have on the band Moist is anyone's guess. On this particular tour, two members of Moist back up Usher - keyboardist KEVIN YOUNG and bassist JEFF PEARCE.

Guitarist MARK MAKOWAY is busy producing other artists in Toronto, and recently published an incredible book titled The Indie Band Bible that explains all the pitfalls of aspiring Canadian musicians. The book is an absolute gem for anyone looking for a career in the music business. It is available at most book stores.

The contingent from the East Coast Music Awards continues here on the West Coast. Following on JIMMY RANKIN's visit recently to Surrey, LENNIE GALLANT, another performer who picked up an armload of awards at the recent East Coast Music Awards, will be in our area. Gallant will appear on The Vicki Gabereau Show. Tickets are available at 604-609-5766.

THE FABLES round out the visitors with a concert at the Commodore Ballroom March 17. The Fables picked up the coveted Entertainer Of The Year Award at this year's East Coast Awards.

Canada's broadcasters will meet over the weekend in Toronto for their annual awards and dinner. This year's West Coast nominees include BROTHER JAKE from CFMI for Personality Of The Year, CJJR-FM for Top Country Station, and Z-95 checks in with two nominations, CHR station of the year and Music Director of the year.

It is our big night for music this Thursday when the Pacific Music Industry Association hands out the West Coast Music Awards at the Commodore Ballroom. NELLY FURTADO and NICKELBACK, both riding huge years, are nominated in a number of categories. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.

Beaver Tales - The Pattullo Bridge linking Surrey and New Westminster opened on Nov. 15, 1937. The cost of building it was $4 million.

Chesney's Chesnuts - One night a wife found her husband standing over their newborn baby's crib. She saw on his face a mixture of emotions: disbelief, doubt, delight, amazement and skepticism. Touched by his unusual display, she slipped her arms around her husband. "A penny four your thoughts," she whispered. "It's amazing," he replied.

"I just can't see how anybody can make a crib like this for only $45."