How U.S. Tariffs Could Effect Canadian Bands Coming To The U.S.
As the U.S. Tariffs and floats the idea of annexing our Canadian neighbors, artists face tough decisions about their ability to tour.
Artists from Canada are concerned about the increasingly hostile rhetoric from the U.S. administration.
The impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods is still being negotiated. A lot of questions about this, and there’s still a lot of uncertainty,” says André Guérette of the Canadian talent and booking agency the Paquin Artists Agency.
Guérette says he is hearing from Canadian artists concerned about the shirts, CDs, and vinyl they would haul across the border to sell at their shows. Guérette estimates that tariffs could increase the costs of selling T-shirts by as much as 50 percent. “That’s a major source of revenue,” he says. “And if they suddenly have a tariff on that, that eliminates any margin they make on their merchandise.
![The Glorious Sons - S.O.S. (Sawed Off Shotgun) [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jUVDmVM9RtA/mqdefault.jpg)
Bands From Canada
Canadian artists can’t ignore the American music market entirely, since audience sizes and income are sizable. Plenty of Canadian bands, including Cowboy Junkies and Theory of a Dead Man, are touring the U.S. or will be soon. America is such a big market. There are more people and more money. It is tough to develop an artist’s career globally without touring in America.
Canadian Musicians Struggle To Get Visas
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S.; some cancel shows.
Neil Young Not Happy
![Neil Young - Harvest Moon [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/n2MtEsrcTTs/mqdefault.jpg)
“Neil Young,” is pleased to spend the lion’s share of his time in Canada. It’s no secret he disagrees with the current political direction the United States is taking, so just for the sake of his blood pressure, he’s better off living in Canada.”
But Neil has been a U.S. citizen for five years. Neil Young announced he’s finally an American citizen after his quest for citizenship was delayed over his “use of marijuana.” He has resided in the U.S. since the 1960s, when he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a music career.
How Can Canadian Bands Play The United States?
Canadian musicians who want to perform in the United States can legally enter the U.S. to work by obtaining a P2 Visa in advance. The P2 Visa is intended for artists, entertainers, and athletes, and by far the simplest way for a musician to obtain one is through the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).
An agreement between the AFM and the Department of Homeland Security allows the AFM to petition on your behalf, streamlining the process incredibly. People can learn about working laws from the Labor Law Compliance Center, which provides this information.
Check out complete information from the site The Lawyer Drummer.com.
Songs That Really Smoke Your Memory And Ears
Air quality in Michigan is poor after smoke and haze from Canadian wildfires moved into the Midwest. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued a statewide air quality advisory. The majority of new forest fires started in Canada in recent days are from natural causes, like lightning, Mother Nature’s weapon that sparks flames. I think every Canadian has a smoke bbq and they are getting ready to celebrate with their neighbors in South Detroit like in the Journey song, Don’t Stop Believing
Never seen or smelled it this bad before. They have had controlled burns over in Windsor, Canada but not like this. You can see the smoke in the metro area it’s pretty bad. Got me thinking about rock songs that mention smoke or reference fire. Honorable mention to Smokey the Bear our fighter of fires through education that, “only you can prevent forest fires.” Wonder if Canada has a smoke the bear or a moose or something.
Put your thinking cap or toque on and try to remember the Songs That Really Smoke Your Memory And Ears with rock and roll. Surprised there are so many to choose from.
Before we start the music this song deserves an honorable mention from Billy Joel.
Sanford Townsend Band - Smoke From a Distant Fire
One of the best songs of the 70s that most people don’t know! perfect in every way. production, arrangement, musicianship, and vocals. Never gets old! One hit wonder from 1976.
The Platters "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"
Detroit's Heaven's Wish - Holy Smoke
1994 hit for the local Detroit band Heaven’s Wish from their self-titled album. The band was a fan favorite at venues like The Ritz, and Harpo’s, and touring all over. Lead singer Ronnie Vanderlip describes the band’s sound as a mix between Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, and Motley Crue.
Johnny Winter - I Smell Smoke
I’m a Bluesman is an album by blues guitarist and singer Johnny Winter. Released by Virgin Records on June 25, 2004.
Motley Crue - Smoke The Sky
Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightnin'
Aerosmith - Lightning Strikes
Aerosmith
The boys and Dukes are ready to rumble The word on the street some heads are gonna tumble Blades gonna flash when the street gangs clash In this avenue tonight When the lightning strikes. No Joe Perry on this number but a heavy sound as Aerosmith had a bad boy image to live up to. I enjoy this album just like I do their classic 70s albums. This one still has that raw and ragged edge. I think a lot of people don’t like it because of how critics trashed it. But what do critics know anyway?
Good Smoke And Whiskey
Cheech & Chong - Up In Smoke
Jimi Hendrix - Fire
