Canadian music icon Stompin’ Tom Connors, known for quirky, Canadian-themed songs like “Bud the Spud” and “Sudbury Saturday Night” died last Wednesday of natural causes at his home in Ontario. Knowing he was in ill health he penned a letter to his fans thanking them for their devotion over the years. It was published on his website soon after his passing: “Hello friends, I want all my fans, past, present or future, to know that without you, there would have not been any Stompin’ Tom. It was a long hard bumpy road, but this great country kept me inspired with its beauty, character, and spirit, driving me to keep marching on and devoted to sing about its people and places that make Canada the greatest country in the world. I must now pass the torch, to all of you, to help keep the MapAll stomped out
le Leaf flying high, and be the Patriot Canada needs now and in the future. I humbly thank you all, one last time, for allowing me in your homes, I hope I continue to bring a little bit of cheer into your lives form the work I have done. Sincerely, your friend always, Stompin’ Tom Connors.”
A new study from the Canadian Independent Music Association has turned up some interesting, disheartening statistics about our music industry. The study found that music company employees earn an average of $22,250 a year, which may not sound like a lot to people outside the business, but it’s nearly 300 per cent more than the average indie musician makes in a year, a whopping $7,228. The study does point out that the musicians work about 29 hours a week, whereas the industry folks 33 hours per week. All in all everyone seems to be getting a raw deal, since roughly 60 per cent of the Canadian music industry earns $50,000 or less in gross income. Other stats of note are that nearly half of the music companies in Canada are run by a single individual, the average age of Canadian indie musicians is 39.5 and 73 per cent of them are male. If Canadian music studies are your bag, you can check out the whole 50 page document at CIMA’s website, www.cimamusic.ca.
W.K. wipes klean
In what is either the most appropriate or inappropriate celebrity endorsement of a product ever, Andrew W.K. has been tapped to be the face of Playtex’s new “Fresh + Sexy Wipes,” a wipe intended explicitly for folks “before and after they engage in sexual activity.” Playtex explained the logic behind their latest spokesman in a statement: “This exciting new product required the help of someone who could embody the brand’s playful yet bold campaign; someone who could party hard, but still be clean when it counted. Andrew W.K. is that someone and we are thrilled to have him on board with us.” In celebration of the union between Playtex and the prince of “Party Hard” the feminine hygiene company will be giving out 100 Andrew W.K. Sensory Kits, which will hit “all five of the recipients’ senses from the packaging to the content inside,” according to the press release.
