Honour Roll Award - BERNIE FINKELSTEIN

In 1969, Finkelstein founded True North Records. He managed The Paupers from 1966–1967 and Kensington Market from 1967-1969. Through 1972-1981. In partnership with Bernie Fiedler, he managed the careers of Abramson, Bruce Cockburn, Murray McLauchlan and Dan Hill. In 1970 he and Cockburn became partners in the music publishing firm Golden Mountain Music.

The first artist signed to True North Records in 1969 was Bruce Cockburn. By the time Finkelstein sold True North the label had released over 550 albums, including records from such Canadian notables as Rough Trade, Randy Bachman, The Rheostatics, Lynn Miles, Cowboy Junkies, Colin Linden, Catherine MacLellan, Tom Wilson, Moxy Fruvous, and Lighthouse among others. True North continued to also release records for acts that Finkelstein managed including Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Murray McLauchlan, Stephen Fearing Barney Bentall and Bruce Cockburn. During the period from 1969 to 2007 True North received over 40 Gold and Platinum records and over 40 Juno Awards.

In December 2007, True North was acquired by an investment group led by Linus Entertainment. Finkelstein remained as chairman and long-term consultant. He continued as Cockburn’s manager and also managed The Golden Dogs.