September 30th, 2013
Representatives of Toronto’s music community and supporters of 4479 are pleased to be participating in the business mission to Austin, Texas being led by Mayor Rob Ford. One of the primary objectives of the mission is to establish the terms of the music alliance between the two cities, a first-of-its-kind pairing that was endorsed by the two city councils earlier this year.
“This alliance provides an immense opportunity for Toronto to work closely with Austin, a city that shares our status as one of the most active music scenes in the world, and uses its successful music community to drive other sectors like tourism and high tech,” says Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada which studied Austin and has been a catalyst behind the alliance.
“Early in our career we had the good fortune of connecting with the fertile music scene in Austin, which exposed our music to an international and sophisticated listening audience. It also gave us the opportunity to work with some of the world’s most talented singer-songwriters and musicians” says Michael Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies. “Strengthening the connections between our two creative communities will provide new opportunities for up and coming artists to reap some of the same benefits.”
In addition to Graham Henderson, the following music industry representatives will take part in the mission: Jeff Cohen of Horseshoe Tavern and TURF fame, Jesse Kumagai from Massey Hall, Michael Hollett and Mike Tanner from NXNE, Amy Terrill from Music Canada and Jacob Smid from Live Nation.
“Toronto and Austin are in the enviable position of having insatiable markets for live music,” says Riley O’Connor, Chairman of Live Nation Canada and founding member of 4479. “Closer ties between our music communities, supported by municipal governments that understand the economic and cultural value of music, will open up new avenues for programming and collaboration that will lead to greater opportunities for all involved in the music community.”
4479 was established after a Music Canada report revealed the programs and initiatives in Austin that have allowed it to grow its music industry impact from $1.2 Billion in 2005 to $1.6 Billion today.
“Austin and Toronto have a natural affinity, as evidenced by the twinning of our own festival with SXSW,” says Michael Hollett. “While it is true that Toronto has a great music scene, I think there is plenty of room to learn from Austin. Our music city brand, 4479, is one example and the way Austin’s music sector works with city hall is another.”
In addition to supporting the alliance, 4479 is calling for a music office and music advisory board (similar to the Film Board) at Toronto City Hall, based on best practices in Austin.
4479 is a campaign to position Toronto as one of the greatest music cities in the world. It recognizes Toronto’s diverse sounds, eclectic venues, many of them steeped in musical history, globally sourced audience and culturally diverse background. 4479 is being led by a growing coalition of music industry leaders, in conjunction with supporters who work in tourism, municipal government and business. Every artist, musician, music supporter and fan in Toronto is part of 4479. For more information please visit https://4479toronto.ca/
September 28th, 2013
“To Toronto City Council:
The Sam The Record Man store and sign were important fixtures in Toronto’s musical landscape as well as its Civic history. Sadly, all that remains now are our memories of the store and this magnificant neon sign. Ryerson and they City of Toronto should absolutely preserve what myself and many of its citizens consider to be an important symbol of our past and of that store’s contributions to our culture.”
– Geddy Lee
Use our campaign tool to stand up for Toronto’s cultural heritage by emailing your city councillor and urging a solution that will ensure the sign is properly restored, maintained and mounted so that it can be enjoyed by the public.
September 27th, 2013
“I wish to personally state my support for the sign being restored to its rightful position at Yonge & Gould St. I urge voters to vote ‘no’ to the current Ryerson proposal: Ryerson University is attempting to renege on their promise to preserve an iconic public landmark of historic Toronto heritage. They promised to uphold the historic, meaningful value of the Sam The Record Man neon sign, which requires restoration in its historic location.
A university should be ethically consistent. Developers should not be able to re-tweak their deals with city politicians. And politicians, especially in our current times, should be trying their very best to demonstrate moral character. Neither Ryerson University, nor the politicians at Toronto City Hall, should be appearing as if they are agreeing to pull a fast one when it comes to Sam’s sign.
Please restore the sign to its rightful, historic, landmark position. Anything less betrays a public trust that had already been agreed upon. Ryerson University, its developers, Toronto City Hall, and its politicians, should be ashamed to even attempt to pull an end run around that promise of public trust.”
– Rik Emmett, Hall of Fame musician
Use our campaign tool to stand up for Toronto’s cultural heritage by emailing your city councillor and urging a solution that will ensure the sign is properly restored, maintained and mounted so that it can be enjoyed by the public.
September 25th, 2013
Our message to Toronto City Council – Save Our Sign: Vote “No” to amending Ryerson’s deal with the City on the iconic Sam the Record Man sign.
Use our campaign tool to stand up for Toronto’s cultural heritage by emailing your city councillor and urging a solution that will ensure the sign is properly restored, maintained and mounted so that it can be enjoyed by the public.
September 20th, 2013
The wheels are in motion in Toronto and Austin to increase the amount of collaboration between the two cities. A mission led by Mayor Rob Ford is going to Austin in early October to meet with city officials and music industry leaders there. Music Canada, as catalyst for the Alliance and the mission, and three other music industry leaders from Toronto are also participating.
In July, Toronto City Council signaled its support for a music city alliance, matching a motion which was passed by Austin’s City Council in late June. Now the two cities get to work to determine the best way to move forward.
The alliance acknowledges the fact that both cities have amazing music scenes that incubate loads of talented artists and musicians. Already there is a great deal of interplay between the two music communities – the most obvious example being sister festivals NXNE and SXSW. NXNE posted a story on the alliance when it was approved by Toronto in July, describing the many benefits it could generate.
The alliance was first discussed in March during SXSW when a delegation from Toronto met with Austin’s Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Councillor Mike Martinez and senior staff from the city. Toronto was represented by Councillors Gary Crawford and Josh Colle and representatives from Music Canada. Following the formal discussion, industry leaders from Toronto and Austin continued the conversation at a reception hosted by Mayor Leffingwell.
Members of the two music communities have continued their dialogue. Leaders from the music community in Toronto are already in discussion with counterparts in Austin as they come up with ideas about how they can work together more closely. This could mean joint programming, artist ambassadors, tourism initiatives, cross-promotions … the list could be endless. One thing that is for certain, however the formal alliance is structured between the two city halls, the sharing and communication between the two music communities will generate outstanding results.
The initiative has generated a fair amount of attention, with media coverage in the Toronto Star, Austin’s KVUE and KXAN, and Huffington Post Canada.
You can show your support for the alliance by contacting your councillor and letting them know that it’s a great idea!
