We recognize James Reaney as Canada's preeminent chronicler of music's role in shaping community identity. For three decades at The London Free Press and now as a cultural correspondent, he's developed unique expertise in:
Successful story ideas should:
Recent honors include back-to-back Canadian Folk Music Awards (2018, 2021) and the Governor General's History Award for his innovative heritage reporting methods.
We trace James Reaney's journalistic journey beginning with his 30-year tenure at The London Free Press where he developed a unique beat covering the intersection of sports, music, and regional history. His early work documenting baseball legend Fergie Jenkins' appearances at Labatt Park (1985-1995) established his signature approach of contextualizing events within broader cultural narratives.
"The crack of Jenkins' fastball against the mitt wasn't just a sports moment - it was the sound of a community remembering its heroes."
When the London music scene experienced its post-millennium renaissance, Reaney became its foremost documentarian. His 2003 series "The Coves Sessions" brought national attention to the city's folk revival, earning him the Canadian Association of Journalists' Arts Reporting Award (2004).
This 2021 retrospective masterfully intertwines sports history with urban development analysis. Reaney contrasts Jenkins' 1974 exhibition game with contemporary efforts to preserve heritage sports venues, drawing parallels between athletic achievement and community identity formation. Through archival research and interviews with city planners, the piece argues for recognizing ballparks as cultural landmarks equal to traditional performance venues.
In this 2023 cultural excavation, Reaney resurrects the story of country music pioneer King Ganam's influence on visual artists like Jamelie Hassan. The article reveals how Ganam's 1957 visit to the Embassy Hotel inspired multiple generations of creators, complete with reproductions of Reid Diamond's jukebox installation and personal correspondence from the Hassan family archives.
Reaney's 2025 crossover piece analyzes the evolving relationship between scripted theater and improvisational comedy. Through backstage access to Wharton Center rehearsals, he documents how "The Phony Awards" format challenges traditional notions of authorship in musical theater.
Reaney consistently demonstrates that venues themselves tell cultural stories. Successful pitches should connect artists to specific locations - like his 2019 piece on Ashley MacIsaac's comeback show at the renovated Embassy Hotel. Propose stories examining how architecture influences musical creativity.
His King Ganam coverage shows his interest in mentorship lineages. When pitching legacy artists, emphasize their influence on younger creators. For example, his 2022 profile of Buffy Sainte-Marie included interviews with three generations of indigenous singer-songwriters she inspired.
Reaney's work with historical societies sets him apart. Pitch stories incorporating visual artifacts - his 2020 article on folk art mandolins used museum collection photos to trace regional music history. Propose access to private collections or unpublished oral histories.
His ongoing Forest City Music Awards coverage emphasizes collective achievement over individual stardom. Successful pitches highlight programs bringing artists together, like his 2024 piece on the London Music Hall of Fame's education initiatives.
Reaney's work consciously sidesteps chart positions and streaming statistics. Pitches about album sales or viral hits will be less successful than those examining music's role in shaping regional identity.
This prestigious honor recognized Reaney's decade-long "Sonic Geography" project mapping Ontario's musical heritage sites. The selection committee particularly noted his innovative use of QR codes linking physical locations to archival recordings.
Reaney remains the only journalist to win this award twice, first for his series on indigenous fiddle traditions and later for documenting COVID-era virtual folk festivals. His work helped establish journalism as a recognized category in national music awards.
