Throw Jann from the Train

I still Love Jann Arden's music, but at the moment I am very disappointed with Jann. Having worked in the service industry myself, and still do, to a point, it is apparent that Miss Arden is all about herself and has little regard for rules or the patron next to her. Yes, I know I haven't talked to Jann, nor do I need to? This needs to be clarified as she has already slammed at least one reporter for openly disagreeing with her actions. These are the facts, not only from what I researched, online, but also from what Jann Arden has said personally according to an article in the Ottawa Citizen. Miss Arden brought a non-service dog on a Via train. The facts are dubious if the dog was in her bag or not. Miss Arden says that the dog was on her lap and in plain view. At the end of the day does that really matter? Miss Arden said that her assistant, when booking the tickets, was not aware that dogs were not permitted on the train. On this point, does that make it anymore correct? If I am picked up for speeding on a road where the limit is 50 Km and I believe it to be 80, am I not still speeding? Her dog is not a child and Jann Arden is not above the rules. Miss Arden, according to the article, was given the option to have Midi go to the luggage department as there was a cage available. To this she refused and chose to disembark.

There are good reasons, in place, why pets are not permitted in with the other passengers. Many people are afraid of dogs, and that includes even tiny ones. Postal carriers will be the first to tell you that they have been attacked by small dogs. Miss Arden, I couldn't care less about how well your dog behaves herself, she is an animal. Animals can attack if startled, a fact that I didn't get from other blogs or twitter and information that doesn't just pertain to this incident. This, unfortunately I learned from personal experience. From the Ottawa Citizen report, Miss Arden made a claim that Midi, her dog, is hypoallergenic. From my research, this is based more on fiction than reality. Any of the reputable sources, including The Dog Guide, indicate that there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic animal. In the same Article, Miss Arden also is said to mention that while in Europe, pets are everywhere. I am not sure how to say this in a nice way, but you are not currently in Europe Miss Arden.

I can’t stress enough that I do love animals. That said, if society is to work we must all abide by the same rules. In my opinion, Via rail did everything that was possible to bring resolution to this issue that would have benefited the other passengers as well as Miss Arden, but she refused their solution. In the end, she disembarked in Oshawa and not in the middle of nowhere.

Hedley's Concerts Totally Rescheduled

All of the rescheduled concert dates are in for Hedley. They are as follows.

• May 25: St. John's, Newfoundland @ Mile One Stadium 
•  May 29: Halifax, Nova Scotia @ Halifax Metro Centre 
• May 30: Moncton, New Brunswick @ Moncton Coliseum 
• June 1: Quebec City, Quebec @ L’Agora de Quebec 

With the exception of Quebec City, I have the refund locations if you are unable to attend the rescheduled concert dates. Refunds are available for the St. John's concert @ the point of purchase until Friday, March 23, 2012. The fans in Halifax may receive a refund until Friday, March 23, 2012 from the Ticket Atlantic Box office. Regarding the Moncton concert, refunds are available until Friday, March 23, 2012 @ the Moncton Coliseum Box office. Refund information was to be made available Monday, March 12th, 2012. As of the time of this posting, I apologize that I have been unable to locate this information.

Hedley's makeup concert in Halifax

Hedley’s make up concert for the Halifax Metro Center has been released. According to Lite92.9 in Halifax, the concert is now Tuesday, May 29, 2012. Apparently Jacobs’s vocal problems have cleared and they are resuming the tour this evening in Montreal as previously announced. It should be a great concert.

Music released March 12, 2012

According to NME, today, March 12, 2012 is a busy day for music releases. Just have a look at the great new music being released today.

Singles released today

• Adam Lambert – 'Better Than I Know Myself'
• Alexandra Burke feat. Erick Morillo – 'Elephant'
• Birdy – '1901'
• Erasure – 'Fill Us With Fire'
• Fixers – 'Iron Deer Dream'
• Jay-Z & Kanye West – 'N****s In Paris'
• The Maccabees – 'Feel To Follow'
• MIA – 'Bad Girls'
• Miike Snow – 'Padding Out'
• Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds – 'Dream On'
• The Red Bullets – 'East Of Easy'
• Rufus Wainwright – 'Out Of The Game'
• The Silver Seas – 'Candy'
• Paul Weller – 'That Dangerous Age'

Albums released today

• Angel Witch – 'As Above, So Below'
• Cannibal Corpse – 'Torture'
• Delta Spirit – 'Delta Spirit'
• Epica – 'Requiem For The Indifferent'
• Estelle – 'All Of Me'
• Grimes – 'Visions'
• Hooded Fang – 'Tosta Mista'
• Howlin' Rain – 'The Russian Wilds'
• Jason Donovan – 'Sign Of Your Love'
• Marcus Collins – 'Marcus Collins'
• The Men – 'Open Your Heart'
• Michael Kiwanuka – 'Home Again'
• Pythia – 'The Serpent's Curse'
• Say Anthing – 'Anarchy, My Dear'
• The Skints – 'Part & Parcel'
• Soulfly – 'Enslaved'
• VCMG – 'Ssss'
• Wallis Bird – 'Wallis Bird'

Illness Sidelines Jacob Hoggard Of Hedley

Hedley's 2012 tour Shipwrecked, has been shipwrecked. Well sort off. This Hot band out of B.C. Canada, comprised of Jacob Hoggard, a 3rd place winner in Canadian Idol, guitarist Dave Rosin, Tom Mac on bass and Chris Cripplin on Drums, has had to postpone 3 shows due to illness. Hoggard is having throat issues and this has side lined the band. It is because of this that the band has had to postpone their tour dates at the Metro Centre, in Halifax on March 6, 2012, Mile One Stadium in St. John's, Newfoundland on March 8, 2012 and the concert slatted for March 10, 2012 at the Moncton Coliseum in New Brunswick. The replacement dates will be announced soon. The original tickets will be honoured at the door. For those of you who are not able to attend the rescheduled dates, you will be able to get a refund on your tickets before the concert takes place.

From the reviews that I have read, it seems like the tour is going well. The only negative reviews that I have seen are with the occasional and very major sound issues. The band, from most sources, is a crowd pleaser. If you are fortunate to have Hedley visit your area, they are a must see. Make sure to secure your tickets now. From Musically Connected, we wish Jacob a speedy recovery and can't wait 'till they come to Halifax.

Canada's Got Talent, I saw it and I liked it

Having viewed just the first episode of Canada's Got Talent I was more than impressed. Canadian directed and produced shows are now on a world standard if this is any indication. Queued by the amazing host Dina Pugliese, Canada's Got Talent, easily show cases what Canada has to offer and yes, even what it doesn’t. The Chemistry between Dina and the three judges, Martin Short, Measha Brueggergosman and Stephan Moccio is both instinctive and spontaneous. CGT's editing is both seamless and fast paced. All of this gives the recipe for a fun and entertaining show. Of the show that I viewed, I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire hour. For me, the show didn't drag at all. After growing tired of the Idol shows, I was ready for something completely different.

CGT is something completely different. The judges are often in agreement with each other in determining if an act is going to move forward to the next round. A reasonable argument exists that the amiability of the judges is boring. There is another side. Talent is talent. So the fact that the judges often agree just helps instill a sense of confidence in that collectively they are able to recognize good talent. Hence, it is an awesome show, with an awesome host and with an awesome team of judges.

Ok, so you get it. I love the show. I struggled with this post for a bit as I couldn't think of really anything critically to write and I found it a refreshing change from the idols. In writing this paragraph, I am still analyzing the show in my mind. The show itself was fun, exciting and flowed seamlessly from one act to the next. In my opinion, the show is world class and deserves to be on center stage in Canada and available to any canadian who choses to view the program at the initial viewing time. As the show is on City TV, here in Eastern Canada, City TV is only available in a speciality package. On the flip side, the show is available, within twenty-four hours, of the airing time. While my criticism has little to do with the show, CGT brings to the forefront new and original talent from across the country and it would be nice to have the program more accessible to more canadians.

Delayed condolences go out to the family of Davy Jones

Davy Jones dead at just 66. Though he had a solo music career as well as an acting career, he was best known for being the hilarious “heart throb” front man of the Monkees. The Monkees were formed to star in the TV show of the same name. The show lasted just 2 seasons, 1966 through 1968, though the group, itself, lasted for several years, but not continuously. By many, The Monkees were the American equivalent of the Beatles. In reality, however, Davy Jones was himself, British. He is survived by his wife Jessica and four daughters Talia, Sarah, Jessica and Annabel from his two previous marriages.

It is with sadness that Musically Connected says good bye to Davy Jones and at such a young age. To many around the world, he will certainly be missed, especially by the baby boomer generation. He was a great performer. To his family, he was a brother, a father and a husband. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family during this time.