Thank you Chris Willman at Variety for the feature on the new soft-rock doc, 'Sometimes When We Touch'.
Be sure to tune into Paramount+ on January 3, 2023 in Canada and the U.S., on Jan 4 2023 in U.K., Australia and Latin America and on Jan 4 2023 in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France.
Click the image below to read the full article.
Check out the trailer for the upcoming 'Soft-Rock Doc, Sometimes When We Touch' below. Are you tuning in? Canada & U.S.: Jan 3 2023 U.K., Australia and Latin America: Jan. 4 2023 Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France: April 4 2023
I had the wonderful honour of being presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for outstanding contributions/service to Canada on Sunday, October 16th.
Special thanks to Senator Oh for nominating me and presenting me with the award!
By Dan Hill and Jully Black
(Dan) -- Hope, healing, and optimism. That’s the message I most wanted to give the world when I set out to write “Something More” with Jully Black close to two decades ago. A sense of aspiration, an awareness that something greater exists beyond what we can see or feel in the physical realm and an understanding that we can nurture deeper meaning and purpose in our lives. The words and music to “Something More” came to me in a blazing flash, one that flowed out of my fingers and onto the piano keys. As the lyrics started to form, a quote from the Bible guided me: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Jully was signed to Universal Music when we first met, and I was immediately overwhelmed by both her extraordinary talent and her preternatural presence. She radiated an enormous sense of empathy, spirituality and wisdom. When we started singing together, the first thing that hit me was the extraordinary and authentic quality of our vocal blend. Maybe our voices meld so seamlessly because we feel like family, united by something deeper than our careers.
Adam Messinger, who co-produced “Something More,” had a profound influence on this track. He is deservedly one of the most successful producers and songwriters in the world. Unquestionably, his inspired work on this record is major part of its remarkable impact.
Songs always come equipped with their own authentic stories. The story of “Something More” began long ago. But its journey shares something with the countless songs that become hits years, or even decades, after they’ve been written. “Something More” is being released now because of the timeliness of its message. With the seismic divisions and polarization that is tearing at this world today, redemption, aspiration, and healing have never been more relevant.
(Jully) -- I remember going to Dan’s house and sitting and doing that writing session as a newly signed artist and writer to Warner Chappell – and I was just in awe of his story telling. ‘Something More’ was birthed out of the desire for a world – for me, an inner world and an outer world – that is inspirational, that is hopeful. Who knew what I might have been experiencing at that time, and who knew what Dan might have been experiencing? But both of us met up at this intersection of believing that there is always something more, something better. “Do you believe there’s a reason for everything?” Just that line in itself goes beyond religion; and now, twenty-something years later I’m able to look in hindsight and say, “Yes, there is a reason why we met up on that day. There is a reason why that song was written. The narrative felt, and still feels as personally necessary for me as it is globally relevant now, for all.
That the song is coming out now is very timely because I’m on a healing journey and in order to heal from past pain and trauma, I have to believe that there is something more, something better, and that there is something I’m worthy of. Whatever that something is, it’s divinely ordered and assigned to my life; just like this song, the message and the opportunity to share a hopeful and optimistic sentiments during challenging times.
Dan had, and has since, written songs for countless artists, but the parts that were to be sung by a male were destined to be sung by, and heard and felt in, Dan’s voice. Dan has a kind voice, and there is no question that ‘Something More’ required the kindness of Dan’s voice. He also has a voice that cries on the music, even if he’s not crying out of his eyes. It’s so rich, elegant, genuinely soulful and uniquely Dan.
It’s a huge honour; it’s a huge privilege, a huge blessing to be able to have the sheer treasure that is Dan as a friend, a mentor and a peer. I think of the other amazing music journeys and collaborative opportunities that I’ve had and I see how being on this song is really helping me to realize that it needs to get the love and the attention that it deserves; I see how I don’t have to keep my head and creativity so razor-focused on the genres of R&B or the genre of Hip-Hop, but more so focused on music and story telling that will touch anyone with a heartbeat.
I’m so happy that Dan’s wants this to come out. With his beautiful voice on the song, at this stage in his career, when he really doesn’t have to do anything, I believe that he wants it to come out because of his love of music, his love for me, and that he is also doing this in service.
Dan Hill got his love of the sport of boxing from this Father, Daniel Grafton Hill III, Ontario’s first human rights commissioner.
In March, 1966, Muhammad Ali was in Toronto to promote his match with George Chuvalo at Maple Leaf Gardens (which ‘earned immediate classic status’) after being banished in America over his opposition to the Vietnam war. During an interview, behind Muhammad Ali, hanging on the wall, was the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Was it intentionally placed there? Who put it there?
Dan Hill – LIVEstream IN CONCERT!
March 25th, 8:00pm EST.
Celebrating the global release of Dan’s latest album
‘On The Other Side Of Here’!
Streaming worldwide from the legendary El Mocambo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada!
DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT!
TICKET: $25.00
VIP TICKET: $35.00 – VIP includes exclusive after concert Q&A with Special Guest Host, Canada’s Queen of RnB/Soul, Jully Black!
The Grammys, a 42-year retrospective, 1979 – 2021
Dan Hill is one of Canada’s most successful singer-songwriters ever and author of the book I Am My Father’s Son: A Memoir Of Love And Forgiveness. He was recently inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. What follows is a very personal accounting of his history with the Grammys, written in his own words with research assistance from (son) David Hill, Nathan Williams and Dirie Dirie). He recently released a new, 14 song album entitled ‘On the Other Side of Here’ that contains the topical and evocative song, What About Black Lives? He is set for a simulcast from the El Mocambo in Toronto a week today (March 25).
Dan Hill has reached the peak of the proverbial songwriter mountain, induction into Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
“I have now been included with my heroes, my mentors my university professors Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn to name a few.. To be included in the same list as the these writers is the greatest honour and most humbling accomplishment in my career.”
Over his 40 plus year career Dan has had much success, not only as a songwriter but as a Grammy nominated Best Male Vocalist, Grammy winner as co-producer of “Seduces Me” on Celine Dion’s ‘Falling Into You’ album that topped 30 million in sales and the winner of five Juno Awards and recipient of the Harold Moon Award SOCAN’S Canadian Lifetime Achievement Award as well releasing multiple gold and platinum selling albums.
When you think of Dan Hill, you inevitably think of his global hit record, “Sometimes When We Touch”, not only a hit for him but for a whole slew of other star performers including Rod Stewart. Barry Manilow, Demi Roussos, Tammy Wynette (with Mark Gray), Tina Turner and Engelbert Humperdinck, initially released in 1977 on his third album for GRT/20 Century Records, titled `Longer Fuse”
But when Hill was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame Wednesday, February 10th on CTV’s Your Morning program, he could also cite credits that also include being an accomplished author, journalist and social activist spokesperson (Artists Against Racism) to complement his recording and songwriting talents.