Looking Back – CHAY-FM’s “Project Easy” recording sessions promoted up-and-coming Canadian talent
I met Dylan Bell quite by accident. As Program Manager of 93.1 CHAY FM and Executive Producer of Shaw Communications’ “Project Easy” five year Canadian Talent Development initiative, I had arrived at Orillia’s Park Street Collegiate for a meeting organized by our morning show host and Orillia native Ted Telford. The purpose was to meet with music teacher Ted Duff to discuss the possibility of recording his group of student jazz vocalists as a part of our project.
Prior to the meeting, I witnessed a student who was on his own, off in the corner warming up by brilliantly playing some Steely Dan bits on his keyboard. He certainly caught my attention. His fingers were dancing on the keys. I just stood there and listened. He was good. Really good. I eventually wandered over, introduced myself, and talked about our Canadian talent recording project. Dylan showed some interest and we agreed to have a chat following my meeting about the possibility of working together on a solo project.
The meetings took place and we ended up recording and producing some songs to create a CD Dylan called “the Autonomous Collective.” This chance meeting in an Orillia high school gymnasium led to the recording and production, in my opinion, of one of the best, if not the finest CD of the entire “Project Easy” series.
Dylan Bell is a Juno-nominated vocalist, instrumentalist, composer, producer, performer and educator
Years have roared by since the recording of this Shaw Communications – CHAY-FM CD with Dylan Bell. I haven’t crossed paths with him since we completed the project and delivered the CD’s. Time passed and we all went off in different directions doing other things.
However Ted Telford and I have always remained in touch following our CHAY days. Just the other day we were texting about a news story I had seen on CTV News Barrie about the recent “Forever Young” concert at the Orillia Opera House that featured a full house enjoying performances by up-and-coming young local talent. The news story brought back many memories and I asked Ted if he remembered our recording sessions with Orillia’s Dylan Bell back in the day. Of course he did and our discussion sent me online to do a google search to get up to speed. I landed on Dylan’s web site (dylanbell.ca) where I was not surprised at all to learn of his incredible success and ongoing accomplishments.
Dylan Bell is a Juno-nominated vocalist, instrumentalist, composer, producer, performer and educator. This multi-talented student who once directed shows and performed at Park Street Collegiate in Orillia has grown to become one of Canada’s most accomplished artists, gaining national and international recognition for his fine work.
Take some time to visit Dylan Bell’s site and YouTube channel. It is terrific to celebrate outstanding Canadian talent, especially when the artist got his start in our own backyard!
Project Easy Executive Producer Paul Richards (left) and Juno Award winning musician/composer/producer Greg Kavanagh (centre) are pictured above at a downtown Toronto recording session
“Project Easy” was a Canadian broadcasting provincial and national award winning five-year Canadian Talent Development initiative launched in the early 1990’s by CHAY 93.1 FM and Shaw Communications. The purpose was to identify, work with and assist in promoting the careers of up-and-coming Canadian musicians by fully funding the recording and production of new music releases. In all, over 20 CD’s and over 150 new Canadian selections were released for air play to radio stations across Canada and the United States. Many of the Project Easy CD’s enjoyed radio air play in England and Australia. Good music knows no boundaries!
— Paul Richards is a photographer, writer, new media creative content provider and retired broadcaster
Something Very Special – Gordon Lightfoot Cover – Dylan Bell said that the passing of Orillia’s Gordon Lightfoot was something that felt very personal to him. Dylan has posted this solo performance of a classic Lightfoot song as a beautiful tribute to a Canadian legend from his hometown.
Listen to more of Dylan Bell’s outstanding work on YouTube