Honouring Five Great Musical Friends
Jim Fay
When it started back in 2010, the SHINE! Music Bursary was originally known as the Jim Fay Music Bursary, created by the friends and family of Jim Fay, a local (transplanted from Ireland) musician who died suddenly in October 2008.
Jim played guitar, mandolin and harmonica, and he was an ardent fan and performer of Celtic, folk and acoustic music. Jim was very involved in Toronto’s music community, and he consistently encouraged others to foster their musical pursuits. A Jim Fay Memorial Bursary designed to assist struggling young Toronto folk musicians seemed a fitting way in which to honour Jim’s memory.
James Gray
In August 2013, the Toronto music community lost another great friend and talent. James Gray, a brilliant and gifted musician and a pillar of the Toronto music scene, died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 52.
During his career, James joined a number of seminal Toronto bands including the Rheostatics, Vital Sines, and Blue Rodeo, with whom he played keyboards from 1992 to 2005 (during which time they garnered a number of Juno awards). He was easily able to perform a wide range of musical genres, including reggae, rock, and blues, and his natural talent also enabled him to pick up new instruments very quickly. James was widely respected, he worked hard to help foster a community of musicians, and he served as a mentor to young musicians in Toronto.
After he died, James’ family became integrally involved with the SHINE! cause, and every year we are honoured to present an aspiring young musician with a James Gray Memorial Bursary award.
Doug Queen
In March 2014, Doug Queen suddenly and tragically lost his life at the age of 49, leaving a big hole in the Toronto musical community.
Music had always been an integral part of Doug’s life. He was an accomplished pianist, song-writer and singer. He played many other instruments as well. His love of music of all forms was evident in the Toronto rock/bluegrass band Jughead, which included his twin brother Andrew. Their hit single “Hockey Song” earned them a gold record and can be heard at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
In addition to being passionate about music, Doug was also an exceptional teacher. He taught music at Brock Public School for 18 years, where he was greatly valued by his peers and by his students he so enjoyed teaching. He was the driving force in acquiring a large collection of instruments with which he could share his passion for music with the students at Brock.
Doug was an outstanding individual who had a deeply positive impact on the lives of many people. Every year, SHINE! is pleased and honoured to offer the Doug Queen Memorial Bursary in his memory.
Bruce Adamson
Bruce Adamson was lead guitarist for Toronto band Staggered Crossing in the 1990s, and anchor member of The Crown Jewels. A graduate of York University, Bruce earned a law degree at the Queen’s Faculty of Law, took an interest in music publishing and studied at the Musicians Institute of Hollywood, California.
Friends and former Staggered Crossing bandmates, Julian Taylor and Jeremy Elliott, remember him with great fondness. “Bruce was a brilliant guitar player. He was one the best in the world and certainly one of the best I’ve ever played with” says Julian. Jeremy adds, “No matter what, we knew we had the best guitarist in the room every night we played.”
Bruce remained an influential contributor to the Toronto music community until his sudden passing in December 2015. His hot guitar licks, good humour and intelligence will be missed by all who knew him. Every year, SHINE! is pleased to offer a Bruce Adamson Memorial Bursary in his honour.
Gord Goodwin
Born in Windsor, Ontario, Gord Goodwin made Roncesvalles Village his home from the 1980’s up until his sudden passing in 2022. Over those years, Gord became a guitar icon, known all over Toronto at open stages and musical gigs. He was an original member of the Junction City All-Stars, a founding member and lead guitarist for the Bill Heffernan Homeland Security Roadhouse Band, and someone who could sit in anytime with anyone, east, west, north, or south. Gord seldom missed a show at the long-running Junction Jam, he regularly sat in with the Pie Guys at the historic Blue Goose, he was a regular fixture at the Inter Steer, and he was a huge presence in the thriving music scene at The Local.
Known as “The Shadow” for his tendency to shun the limelight, Gordie never showed off, he simply complemented anyone and everyone with whom he played. To quote singer-songwriter Jon Brooks, “Gord’s were kind eyes and unassuming hands. He never wanted to direct the song; his aim was higher. He wanted to unceremoniously participate in the joy and wonder and cosmic mystery of the song and of local live music.”
SHINE! is very pleased to offer an annual Gord Goodwin Memorial Bursary to help honour his memory and to celebrate his lifelong contribution to Toronto’s music community.