On 2 July, 2009 Canada Post issued a new series of four different 54c stamps depicting Bryan Adams, Édith Butler, Robert Charlebois, and Stompin' Tom Connors. 275,000 compact disc, or vinyl record, shaped souvenir sheets are available at postal outlets, as are 4 million self adhesive versions in booklets of 8. 4,000 sets of booklets are available by mail order from Canada Post.

Official First Day covers come cancelled in Timmins, Ontario, where Stompin’ Tom was discovered, or Paquetville, New Brunswick, the birthplace of Édith Butler.

This group of artists appear to have been chosen over many other worthy Canadian musical heroes, because they are all Order of Canada recipients. An image of the Order of Canada medal appears next to the musician’s photograph on each stamp.

He is also one of the world's most highly acclaimed musicians. Since he launched his career more than 3 decades ago, this Canadian rocker has achieved number one status in more than 40 countries and has recorded many chart-topping singles.

Awards and accolades to Adams' name include Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, a Grammy Award and many American Music Awards and Juno Awards. He has also been inducted into the Canadian Music hHall of Fame and Canada's Walk of Fame.

Édith Butler has released 27 hit albums, with songs that reflect the Acadian and Micmac traditions that shaped her heritage. Though she has garnered many awards and accolades over the years, she is especially fond of this tribute. Butler, who pursued degrees in literature and traditional ethnography has a real passion for history.

Stompin' Tom Connors
Beyond Canadian borders, when you hear a Stompin' Tom song, you can't wait to get back home. A staunch supporter of Canada, the singer, songwriter, fiddler and guitarist has spent most of his life capturing our heritage in song.

Before being discovered in Timmins, Ontario, Charles Thomas "Stopin' Tom" Connors spent many years travelling across the country, working and writing songs along the way. Today, 300 songs and 50 albums into his career, Connors remains mindful and proud of his humble roots.

Robert Charlebois
Touted for his charismatic on-stage performances, Robert Charlebois pioneered the chanson and revolutionized the French-Canadian music scene when he British and American pop influences to his folk roots. This legend, known to fans as "Gaarou," established a reputation as one of the most influential figures in the history of Québec music and la Frankophonie.

Designed by Winnipeg’s Circle design, who also did a similar 2007 recording artists issue depicting Paul Anka, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, and Anne Murray, these encore issues apparently came about in part due to pressure from one of Canada’s opposition political parties, the Bloc Québecois, who complained that the first series of recording artists stamps did not contain any Québecois, or Francophone recording artists. The new issue includes Québecois artist Charlebois, and Acadian performer Butler.

For tracks, images and video, visit Bryan Adams' website. He is currently touring England, but has a Canadian tour starting in August, 2009 and ending in Vancouver, his home town, October 1 & 2.

If you read French, visit Édith Butler's website.

Stompin' Tom is curently touring Ontario and the Maritimes, you can visit his website for more information.

I couldn't find Robert Charlebois' Web site.

Newsletter #179 coming soon

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