Rush manager Ray Danniels will be honored by The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) as the recipient of the 2015 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award at the 2015 Juno Gala Dinner & Awards on Saturday, March 14 in Hamilton, Ontario as part of Juno Week festivities.
The award recognizes individuals who have made an impact on the Canadian music industry.
Danniels is the CEO/President of SRO (Standing Room Only) Management Inc. and of independent record label Anthem Entertainment Group.
“I am grateful to be recognized by my peers for doing something I’ve loved and been passionate about since I was a teenager,” says Danniels. “I share this honour with those that have been with me since the beginning – the members of Rush – Geddy, Alex and Neil.”
Danniels began his career as an agent in the music business when he was a teenager, first booking bands and then moving on to promoting concerts in his hometown of Toronto. In 1971 he took on both agent and manager roles with a rock band from Willowdale called Rush.
After every record company in Canada turned the band down, Danniels funded Rush’s first record and then starting his own label to release it. In 1973 the first Rush single was released on Moon Records, which was later renamed Anthem - 40 years later, Anthem is still releasing Rush albums in Canada.
In addition to Rush, Danniels and SRO Management have also worked with Van Halen, Extreme, The Tea Party, Matthew Good, and Big Wreck, among others.
Danniels was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2007 and was also the recipient of the third annual Music Managers Forum Canada Honour Roll Award.
The 44th Annual Juno Awards and Juno Week will be held in Hamilton, Ontario, March 9-15, 2015.
Rush have just announced North American dates for the R40 40th anniversary tour.
The band will hit 34 cities across the continent this summer, with shows beginning May 8 in Tulsa, OK.
After 40 years together and 20 gold and platinum studio albums, Rush return to the road for their 21st tour, one which will most likely be their last major tour of this magnitude.
The tour is named after their recently-released 40th anniversary box set, “R40.”
See also:
VIDEO: Rush drummer Neil Peart previews R40 Icon snare drum
Rush announce R40 Live 40th anniversary tour
Rush to be honored with humanitarian award
Rush 2015 tour dates leaked?
Search Rush at hennemusic
