Canadian Music Week, the country’s largest annual event dedicated to music, media and entertainment industries will take place March 5th to 8th in Toronto. With the exception of the festival showcase, CMW’s events will take place at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel, 100 Front Street West.

The conference has an assortment of events including TuneUp: the Art & Business of Music; festival showcase featuring over 500 acts; various award shows; executive conference; and the Millennials conference. The Millennials are those born between 1982 and 2000, will outnumber both Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers by the year 2010.

WORD Magazine is a media sponsor of a panel discussion called the

URBAN Super Session. In this session, a panel of renowned publishers, writers and artists will take participants on a journey through the creative and business processes that come together to make a hit. They’ll help them focus on songwriting skills and provide a roadmap for taking a piece of inspired music and getting it out there.

For more info visit www.cmw.net

Canadian Reggae Music Awards

The Canadian Reggae Music Awards is back with an expanded program in 2008. After taking time off to retool, Canadian Reggae Music Awards will have a special gala presentation on Sunday, March 30th at 7pm at the Jamaican Canadian Centre (JCA) in Toronto.

The CRMA Founder and organizer, Winston Hewitt says the strong demand from the reggae music community for the return has been simply amazing and inspiring. The Award’s is now in its 21st year and has been a staple for music fans, Canadian artists and international guest artists.

In an effort to deal with the demand, there will also be a showcase of some nominees and guests on Saturday, March 15th 2008 starting at 9pm at the Jamaican Canadian Association.

Special Awards will include the Bob Marley and Peter Tosh Memorial Awards, along with Awards of Merit to be presented to some of the outstanding individuals who have contributed to Reggae Music in Canada and Internationally. This year's presentation will also include a Canadian Soca/Calypso Award and a Reggae-oriented Gospel Award.

For more info, visit www.canadianreggaemusicawards.com.

Colin Munroe Signs Worldwide Deal

Ottawa native and one of Canada’s go-to urban music producers, Colin Munroe has inked a worldwide deal with Atlanta’s super producer Dallas Austin’s Rowdy Records.

Munroe has been steadily building his reputation as a songwriter and producer. He has worked with Ray Robinson, Chauncey Black (formerly of Blackstreet), Glenn Lewis, Divine Brown, Saukrates, Sean Price of Boot Camp Clik and Degrassi: The Next Generation star Drake, among others.

Munroe’s debut album, Don’t Think Less of Me, was entirely written, performed, arranged and produced by him and is said to be a departure from his urban production.

Dallas Austin’s signature hits can be heard on albums by Madonna, Gwen Stefani, TLC, Monica, Janet Jackson, PINK, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Usher and Ciara to name a few. In 1999 Austin received the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for his work on TLC’s Fanmail. In recent years, Austin has become active in the film industry, serving as Executive Producer on 2002’s Drumline and co-producing 2006’s ATL with Will Smith.

Speaking of Munroe, Austin said, “Colin is a one man band, a great songwriter and a product of the new one music generation.” So far no date has been announced for Munroe’s new album.