Stratford musician Loreena McKennitt will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in recognition of contributions to Canada’s music history.
The two-time Juno award winner is one of five inductees on May 15, along with Dan Hill, Ginette Reno, Glass Tiger and Sum 41.
Inductees from past years include including Jann Arden, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, RUSH, The Tragically Hip and Sarah McLachlan.
McKennitt told MyStratfordNow she is humbled.
“These are icons and I don’t think of myself that way.”
The Canadian Music Hall of Fame recognizes Canadian artists that have attained commercial success while having an artistic impact on the Canadian music scene and/or around the world.
Artist careers have spanned at least 20 years from their first recording.
McKennitt said the distinctive thing about her career is using the history of the Celts as her “creative springboard” and handling her own career through self-management, self-production and ownership of her own record label.
She encouraged aspiring artists to study the business model, because it has changed significantly with the introduction of streaming.
And to make sure they have a backup plan.
“Make sure you have something in your hip pocket if the music doesn’t work out from a financial standpoint.”
McKennitt, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023, has sold more than 14 million albums worldwide.
