I’m glad that Ticketmaster and Live Nation are currently under investigation by the US government regarding their practices for allowing what is essentially legal ticket scalping. Hopefully that will bring along an overhaul of their entire ticketing process, which disadvantages infrequent, local buyers in favour of those who are elsewhere in the world and mass-buy and then resell on their APP. I had an experience recently where I was “in the queue” for an artist presale (with applicable code) with 26,000 other potential buyers. And for other, more popular artists, that can now exceed hundreds of thousands. And the process favours those with lots of money, regardless of where they are in the world. Back in the pre-2000’s, concerts were focused on their local audiences, and if you were from out of town, you needed to know someone who could buy tickets for you so that you didn’t have to make a long trek or stay on the phone potentially for hours. You can’t tell me that Live Nation doesn’t know who these big buyers are, but instead of intervening, they stay out of it. And that’s simply not right.
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks of the week, along with a record of the week from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. The Musicman James Rogers’ Classic Five selections transport us back to a grand era for music, 1978-79. And a flashback BILLCS Top 30 chart returns us to just prior to the new millenium in 1999.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
FEED THE FIRE, TYLER GARRETT, “New Dimension”
About the artists: Feed the Fire is a rising dance producer from Hamburg, Germany (real name Philip Burian) specializing in drum ‘n bass. Tyler Garrett is a singer/songwriter based in L.A. who has been featured several times in these blog pages, most recently with his collaborations with MXTR.
About the record: “New Dimension” is a tight collaboration with plenty of hooks, where the talents of Feed the Fire and Tyler Garrett are clearly aligned. Tyler’s previous collaborations with MXTR ushered him into the drum ‘n bass sub-genre and his songs and vocals are a great fit. “New Dimension” is brisk and frenetic, the way d’n’b fans like it, but with equal appeal to pop/dance fans looking for something a little more special.
Other comments: Tyler’s first collaboration with MXTR, “Won’t Give Up”, peaked at #4 on the BILLCS Top 30 and is just wrapping up its chart run.
BLUE INITIALS, HOp3, “No Sleep”
About the artists: Blue Initials is a new project by Quebec electronic producer Francis Raymond, aka Kayliox, and follows up his first single under this name, “Aube”, which I wrote about. HOp3 is a new vocalist and producer also from Quebec.
About the record: There’s a current fascination happening with early 2000’s techno and trance, and even Tiesto is revisiting that sound. Blue Initials taps nicely into this era with “No Sleep”, a song whose theme is akin to Faithless’ “Insomnia”. So naturally, it’s a fine song for clubs in the wee hours with uber-slick synth riffs and a captivating vocal by HOp3. It’s a song that doesn’t fit the mold for Kayliox and I’m glad Francis has found a new outlet in Blue Initials for its sound.
Other comments: “No Sleep” is part of a double-single released in tandem with “Lovesick”.
CADDY CALLAGHAN, “Wait a minute”
About the artist: Caddy Callaghan is a rare breed, a Melbourne-based songwriter for many years who has taken the big leap to perform and release her own music in 2025.
About the record: Recorded in Nashville with fellow Aussie Rick Price, “Wait a minute” is only Caddy’s fourth single, but it sounds like she’s always been putting out her own music. It’s got old school pop warmth that you don’t find anywhere else except in classic records by the likes of Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt. Caddy is fearless with loading emotion into “Wait a minute” so that it reaches you inside. Her vocal is smooth and she takes her time unveiling the song without making it protracted or forced. It’s a gorgeous song that’s a complete win for the listener.
Other comments: Out of Caddy’s Nashville sessions will come her debut album, There You Are.
MADISON MARGOT, “But I Do”
About the artist: Madison Margot is an L.A.-based singer/songwriter whose focus is on storytelling but her style veers towards pop and alternative rock depending on the song.
About the record: Following up this summer’s “Fun”, which I wrote about, Madison’s sound on “But I Do” finds her in Taylor Swift/Gracie Abrams territory with dashes of The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riardon. “But I Do” finds her coming to grips and finally understanding what brought on an emotional relapse, to move away from second guessing her feelings and sentiments without regret. Her vocal is assured and carefree, and the guitar-led melody flows beautifully.
Other comments: Using her degree in Gender and Women’s Studies, Madison frequently works with women to uplift them through the creative process.
KEN TIZZARD & MUSIC FOR GOATS, “Kiss Me Deadly”
About the artist: Ken Tizzard is a Toronto area singer, songwriter and bassist originally from Newfoundland, who has been a member of Canadian rock bands The Watchmen and Thornley. Music For Goats is his current project with bassist Ken Grain and guitarist Neil Lucy.
About the record: “Kiss Me Deadly” is an offbeat and interesting choice for a cover, following up the recent “Other Side of Wrong” which I wrote about. The original was recorded in 1978 by British punk rock group Generation X (later Gen X), which spawned the solo career of Billy Idol (who co-wrote the song with band member Tony James). Ken’s version grabs the punk edges of the song and puts his own spin on it without letting it mellow. Rather, he redefines the song with modern instrumentation and technology and a different, stripped down arrangement. “Kiss Me Deadly” still has a bitter and cutting angst, and Ken’s ragged-sounding vocal is an ideal vessel for conveying that vibe.
Other comments: About the song, Ken says: It’s “really about rediscovering my youth in order to find my way into something new… beliefs that we should grow out of things as we age because they are childish or foolish, forget it – I’ve had enough of that”. I’ll second that!
McEWEN, “Complete”
About the artist: McEwen’s appearances in this blog go almost back to its start when he recorded many memorable pop/dance bops as Adam Tyler, several of which landed on the BILLCS Top 30. McEwen has been his pop/dance project over the last several years, including the release of his 2022 album 0524, while he and “McHusband” Erik raise their twin daughters.
About the record: “Complete” is one of McEwen’s best recent releases, which starts off by zeroing in on a funky and playful rhythmic hook that might have been inspired by Timbaland’s “The Way I Are”. But the latter half of the song breaks away from that and is infused with the familiar vocal style and electronic production (along with some sax flavour) that I associate with Adam Tyler songs like “Electric Valentine” and “Knew You Better”. I’m glad McEwen is tapping into his own 2010’s retro style for “Complete” and it compliments the song’s welcome message.
Other comments: You can follow Adam and Erik and their kids on their Instagram channel at the following link: McHusbands.
FAITH RICHARDS, “Private Star”
About the artist: Faith Richards is an American pop/R&B singer/songwriter currently based in Dallas, who has also lived overseas in Paris and London in recent years.
About the record: I first wrote about a song by Faith back in 2023 which was more pop/hip hop flavoured, and “Private Star” showcases another side of her talents. It’s a lush, exotic ballad which really highlights her voice, often in lovely extended notes, as well as her range. It will make you think of R&B-flavoured ballads by the likes of Jessie Ware, Emeli Sandé, or Alexandra Burke, all being from the UK with European influences too.
Other comments: “Private Star” is a taste of Faith’s forthcoming sophomore album, following up her debut, 2022’s I’ll Bloom When I’m Ready.
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK
My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, and now debuts each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online.
It’s fab deep house track “Holding On” by MashBit, Luke Alexander and sunsett.
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, including those mentioned above. It debuts Saturdays on Russ Horton’s Top 40 Timeline on UK National Radio at 1pm EST.
It’s Donna Summer’s first post-70’s disco release, “The Wanderer” (1980)
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online station Halton Hills Radio Online. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week which debuts every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”. Big Daddy’s record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
It’s Aerosmith and Yungblud’s “Problems” from their collaborative EP One More Time
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and has now moved to Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. Hunter is also on air Fridays on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it too broadcasts the New Music Pick. Check the schedule for my New Music Pick of the Week on the blog home page near the bottom.
It’s “Find a Way” by L.A.-based New Zealander Will Swinton
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST. The Classic Five is “pop music 101” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.
Rupert Holmes – Escape (The Pina Colada Song) (1979)
The Who – Who Are You (1978)
Anne Murray – You Needed Me (1978)
Stonebolt – I Will Still Love You (1978) (You Tube link)
Andy Gibb – An Everlasting Love (1978)
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 1999
26 years later, and I’m pleased to see almost half of the artists on the chart continuing to perform and release new music within the last few years. And we remember the artists who have since passed on – The magnificent Whitney Houston and Chris Cornell, James Renaud (of Sky), Natina Reed (of Blaque), and Rich Cronin and Devin Lima (of LFO).
01 01 THE FUTURE OF THE FUTURE (STAY GOLD) Everything But the Girl with Deep Dish
02 02 FIVE FATHOMS (LOVE MORE) Everything But The Girl
04 03 ALL I WANT Sky
03 04 ROMANTICIDE Tal Bachman
05 05 CAN’T CHANGE ME Chris Cornell
06 06 ARRIBA Joée
07 07 HELLO TIME BOMB Matthew Good Band
08 08 MISERY The Moffatts
12 09 MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE Whitney Houston
10 10 I KNEW I LOVED YOU Savage Garden
11 11 TELL ME EVERYTHING Adam Cohen
15 12 TEMPERAMENTAL Everything But The Girl
14 13 SEPTEMBER Deborah Cox
09 14 THE DOLPHIN’S CRY Live
13 15 IF YOU SLEEP Tal Bachman
16 16 BEFORE YOU Chantal Kreviazuk
30 17 BRING IT ALL TO ME Blaque, *N Sync
20 18 THE GREATEST ROMANCE EVER SOLD Prince [as “The Artist”]
19 19 BLUE (DA BA DEE) Eiffel 65
17 20 SMOOTH Santana, Rob Thomas
21 21 TAKE A PICTURE Filter
22 22 GIRL ON TV LFO
24 23 THE GREAT BEYOND R.E.M.
18 24 ALL THE SMALL THINGS Blink 182
NEW 25 DON’T WANNA LOSE YOU Shawn Desman
NEW 26 LOVE WINS EVERYTIME McMaster & James
29 27 THE CHEMICALS BETWEEN US Bush
NEW 28 SPANISH EYES Ricky Martin
26 29 HANG TEN Edwin
23 30 ZIP-LOCK Lit
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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