I have mentioned before that Canadian Music Week represents the beginning of the concert going season. My connection to the event runs much deeper than just one season. One year the Canadian Music Week media peeps gave me a reason to celebrate my birthday. Consequently, they gave me the start that I needed to believe I could become the "Concert Photog".
It all began when I was snooping through Canadian Music Weeks music offerings for their 2010 season. The first thing I noticed was that the festival was beginning on my birthday. I immediately took that as a positive sign and delved into their concert offerings for the night of March 10th. At that point, I knew I was going to request the impossible of being granted access to a concert so I may as well make it a good one. Then I came across Platinum Blonde at Mod Club. I got so excited in that moment. Platinum Blonde is a band I have LOVED since I was a teenager. (That was just a little while ago ... LOL) Now I knew if I was getting in I was going to bring my camera. I needed to document the event. So I contacted the media reps for Canadian Music Week. I explained that their opening night coincided with my birthday. I told them how nothing else would compare to attending a Platinum Blonde concert. Then I begged to be given a photography pass. At no point in that scenario was a NO seriously considered. I mean how could they say no to someone who loves music? How could they say no to making someone REALLY happy on their birthday when it's not going to cost them anything? They said yes. I picked up my very first media pass. I attended the Platinum Blonde concert at the Mod Club. Got some fabulous pictures. End of story. NOT SO FAST! One of my favorite moments in this lifetime was when I presented my 2010 Canadian Music Week media pass to my grandson. (Yeah I know I don't look that old ... lol) His jaw almost hit the floor. He looked at me with awe. "Grammie I am so proud of you!" I couldn't have done better in his eyes if I had won an Olympic gold medal. That was definitely an award winning moment. I NEVER would have seen that look on my grandsons face, nor heard those words out of his mouth, if it wasn't for Canadian Music Week saying yes to an unknown photographer on her birthday. I NEVER would have been brave enough to keep hounding other events and festivals for access. Without Canadian Music Week none of this would have been possible. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Sincerely, Cheryl
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Excerpt from an article I wrote for Fresh Print Magazine -
"Lets say for a moment that Canadian Music Week is the cake. The icing on that cake for music fans would be CHUM FM’s Fan Fest. This year was no exception with performances by Magic!, Kiesza, Lights, Colbie Cailliat,Trevor Guthrie, Shawn Hooks, and Francesco Yates." |