9 years ago today I hit ‘publish’ on the very first post on this website which launched MUSIC RUNS THOUGH IT!

We, as a music loving community, have done a LOT since then and I’m incredibly grateful for what we’ve built and all the magical moments we’ve shared. I’ve been reflecting on the beginning of my involvement in the music industry and cannot thank Jimmie Deliverance & Mountain Chicken enough for letting me manage the band which lit me up and sparked my passion for contributing to the live music experience. My time volunteering & working with Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival led to a board position with Music NB and to the local committee presenting the ECMAs here in Fredericton (2008) and from there I’ve continued to look for ways to facilitate and serve the music in some way. Through all of this the most amazing thing is the people I’ve met – many who’ve become my dearest friends. It has thrilled me to see people discover and fall in love with new-to-them artists – a great example is Ed & Marlene discovering Dany Michel at Wilser’s Room.

I’ve enjoyed partnerships and collaborations with businesses near & far: Corked Wine Bar, Dolan’s Pub, The Cap, The Tipsy Muse Cafe, York County Cider, The Playhouse, Grid City Magazine, Fredericton Tourism, CBC Information Morning Fredericton, CHSR97.9FM, Porter Music Management, Sounds Just Fine and so many more. I’ve worked with phenomenal musicians including Steve Poltz, Garrett Mason, Rick Fines, Suzie Vinnick, The Hypochondriacs, Sleepy Driver, Keith Hallett and many many more.

The pandemic has taken a toll on the music industry and it is heart breaking to know how many people (musicians, technicians, agents, theatres, etc) continue to struggle as they wait for things to get back up and running. In its absence it has become clear how important  the live music experience is to me personally as well as to our community as a whole. Through those shared experiences and gatherings we are able to hold space for each other and the energy created in those spaces makes us better. It fills us up. In some cases it heals and in others it lets us revel in the pure joy of the vibrations. I won’t take this for granted in the future and I very much look forward to us sharing glances across a room as we sway to the music and even better, we get to share hugs and high fives freely without fear.

For our 5th anniversary over a hundred people gathered in celebration and all those voices were raised in song and laughter (see video below). Please accept this as your ‘Mark the Date‘ invitation because this time next year we will celebrate a decade of music running through us and I’ll be needing your voices to make it even louder!

yours in music & with love,
Emma