Walt Says – the first!

JERRY ROSS wrote a feature article in the Toronto Telegram recently titled "Canada Has A Booming Record Industry (But Only Because It's 95 American) "and the controversy began. Some of the notable quotes were "We have so many good records available to us from the states that there's really not much point in doing a great deal of recording up here. Remember that anything we put out is just added competition to the American stuff we have to promote" and a number or quotes like this one, which could only lead us to believe there isn't going to be much more of an industry here. The sad thing is that Mr. Ross set into print exactly the feeling that does exist in Canada. We can't agree with the people that have since tried to convince the public with letters to the Editor, that the record industry is everything it should be. Let us say it hasn't been good. but we are going to make it BETTER. Our thanks to JERRY ROSS for starting the industry thinking.

GARY FERRIER and the CHUMMINGBIRD5 have just released through QUALITY a new single dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man (and that's the title). This one could, and should start showing chart action nationally. The recording was done in Toronto at HALLMARK STUDIO5. Both sides were inked by Gary. We feel that the spinners across Canada will overlook the origin being from another radio station, and give this single the spins it deserves.  

PAT HERVEY is making it twice. Once with her chart-climber “Walking in Bonnie's Footsteps," and again in the Weekend Magazine with a feature story. Her CBC appearances are another feather in the cap of a real showman. Her latest single can only be the biggest hit she's had so far.  

Nationally, BOBBY CURTOLA has come up with another winner for TARTAN RECORDS. "Little Girl Blue" showcases a newer Curtola sound, and already the record is chart.-topping. The next thing for Bobby is a BIG hit in the US. 

STAN JACOBSEN and the CBC's MUSIC HOP television show have opened the door for a great number of youthful Canadian artists. This program has turned out to be a very successful showcase of our newcomers. Stan and his staff are doing. a great job, and again we can say it's a further step toward bringing our performers into the eyes of the international market. 

CHRIS LAWRENCE of CHFI Toronto brought this to our mind some months ago, and we are presently working on a complete list of Canadian LPs for programming. When we print this list in the not too distant future, you'll be surprised how many Canadian artists have cut LPs. This list will be an excellent programming aid, and additional copies will be available.  

Congratulations to LAWSON COOK who originated the idea, produced, and placed the masters of two excellent Classical LPs of Margaret Ireland with Capitol Records. These two LPs have already surpassed any early expectations of their sales potential. Lawson has since joined Tamarac Records, and is presently producing all classical masters for Tamarac.  

Fort William (where a great deal of Canada's talent has originated) has produced another Canadian artist. JERRY PALMER has just cut a new LP in Nashville, which will be released shortly by Quality Records.  

RITCHIE KNIGHT and the Midnights have just released their latest single on the ARC label "Homework". Eight months ago Ritchie's first record for Arc climbed to the number one spot on the charts across Ontario, "Charlena" recorded in Toronto.  

Each week as the hitbreaking centres across Canada report, we will feature a breakdown of chart action from coast to coast of domestic origin. This week CHUM in Toronto lists the following Canadian singles:  

# 7 Little Girl Blue                 Bobby Curtola             Tartan
            #10 Big Town Boy                 Shirley Matthews        Tamarac
            #39 Brotherhood of Man      Chummingbirds          Quality
            #49 Bonnie's Footsteps          Pat Hervey                   RCA
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