In Canada: k.d. lang to Reunite With Original Band The Reclines for First Time in 35 Years

k.d. lang and The Reclines will perform together for the first time in 35 years in Edmonton on Sept. 14 for the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards. 

lang may have found international fame as a pop superstar with a powerful and emotionally expressive voice and as a queer icon, but her roots in country music run deep. She first made her mark in Canadian music as a maverick cowpunk artist back in the ’80s, at the start of a career that has spanned over four decades.

“Reuniting with The Reclines after 35 years in Edmonton for the CCMA Awards feels like a full-circle moment,” shares lang. “The bond we shared, both musically and personally, remains as strong as ever, and revisiting a song that shaped our journey together is incredibly special. I’m thrilled to bring this experience to life on such a celebrated stage and share it with fans, both old and new.”

Based in her birthplace of Edmonton, k.d. lang and the Reclines were together from 1983 to 1989, after starting out as a Patsy Cline tribute act. The first band featured Stu Macdougal on keys, Dave Bjarnson on drums, Gary Koligar on guitar and Farley Scott on bass.

After regular gigging at Edmonton’s Sidetrack Café, the group gained national attention with its 1984 album, A Truly Western Experience. Her unique sense of fashion and energetic performance style caught the attention of Rolling Stone, who dubbed her “a Canadian Cowpunk.” lang earned a 1985 Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist, famously accepting the award wearing a borrowed wedding dress.

k.d. lang will also be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame, adding to her remarkable legacy of accolades. –Kerry Doole

The Billboard Canada Women in Music Industry Spotlight

This week, Billboard Canada unveiled the full Billboard Canada Women in Music honours. 

Stars like Alanis Morissette, Charlotte Cardin and LU KALA will be at the Billboard Canada Women in Music event on September 7 in Toronto. 

In addition to those award-winners, which include Executive of the Year Kristen Burke, the head of Warner Music Canada and the only female major label head in the country, there is also an Industry Spotlight list of women from throughout the Canadian music industry. 

From label boardrooms to influential positions in radio, touring, festivals, artist funding and more, women and gender-diverse people are shaping music. 

Each person featured on the Industry Spotlight list also gave their advice for the next generation of women in the music industry, from speaking honestly and authentically, to surrounding yourself with other talented and supportive women.

There are also exclusive videos of interviews and performances of Billboard Canada Women in Music honourees, including The Beaches, Allison Russell and artist manager Laurie Lee Boutet.

Because of the incredible contributions of women and gender-diverse individuals, Billboard Canada Women in Music is not only a celebration of women, but of Canadian music as a whole – and a vision for where it can go next. –Richard Trapunski

AP Dhillon Safe Following Reports of Gunshots at His Home Near Victoria, B.C.

Gunshots were fired into the home of Punjabi-Canadian musician AP Dhillon early Monday morning (September 2).

B.C. police are investigating the incident, with CTV News reporting that around 1:15 a.m. the RCMP was called to the house. There are reports of two vehicles set on fire, in addition to multiple gunshots, as well as reported video of the shooting circulating online.

“I’m safe. My people are safe,” Dhillon shared on Instagram.

The Times of India reports that an associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the shooting on social media, threatening Dhillon for working with Salman Khan. The actor and producer Khan had a cameo appearance in the video for Dhillon’s new Billboard Canadian Hot 100-charting single, “Old Money,” and the gang reportedly has a history of targeting Khan.

“Preliminary investigation suggests that this was a targeted event and there is no information to believe that the general public is at any further risk as a result,” says a statement from the West Shore RCMP detachment.

The gunfire follows Dhillon’s recent major label signing with Republic Records, with “Old Money” marking the first release as part of that deal. –Rosie Long Decter