Jann Arden - probably the best thing, musically, to come out of Calgary, ever. Really, nobody else even comes close. What else have we offered?
Concrete Blonde - ah, rest in peace, CB...Concrete Blonde was all things to all men. 'twas everything that was good. They're gone, but not forgotten...and I hear Johnette Napolitano has a solo album out...IN AUSTRALIA!
Harem Scarem - Canadian big-hair pop metal with slight prog leanings - this is done with so much heart and intelligence that it completely overcomes my regular disdain for this kind of thing. I ain't ashamed of it - I love this band! I almost had a chance to see 'em live once, but I was at a funeral. Think that would've been bad form?
Jimi Hendrix - yeah, you might've heard of him. I remember sheepishly telling my guitar teacher that I just wasn't getting into Hendrix and I felt left out. He told me to give Axis: Bold As Love a listen. Then it all made sense.
Eric Johnson - like a more laid-back, light-headed Joe Satriani with country leanings, for lack of a better description.
King's X - I guess they kinda veer into metal occasionally - but man, I love them sweet sounds. They actually brought a tear to my eye at their show here in 1999.
Chantal Kreviazuk - I almost feel ashamed of myself for suggesting that she's "Tori Amos Lite", but there it is. Live, she's a big goof. Dating the guy from Our Lady Peace, for some reason.
Jorn Lande - Norwegian guy who's probably the best rock singer on the planet today.
Loreena McKinnitt - going to the "new age" section of a CD store to pick up an album is kinda like going into the squeaky-door section of a video store, but I love this lady's music.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - the first time I heard of them, I thought they were a Faith No More side project. Silly me. Self-described as "Ska-core". 'zat make sense to you?
Alanis Morrissette (laugh, and my rabbit wil kick your ass) - again, no introduction needed for anybody who hasn't lived in the cave for the past five years.
Steve Morse - jazz/funk/country/rock guitar virtuoso and by all accounts a consummate gentleman. The man can play, dammit!
Chris Poland - another Megadeth alumnus makes, from what I hear, non-metal music. I sure liked that Damn The Machine album.
Queen - ye gods, you don't need an introduction to Queen, do you?
Rush - "The difference between men and women is that men like Rush, and women don't." - some woman
Joe Satriani - was my favorite guitarist throughout high school...kind of blew it with some bad direction choices for a long time, however. His last album was killer, though, and one hopes for him to retain this kind of energy and style.