April 2018 – Country Music Association of Ontario

April 12, 2018

MUSIC CITIES EXCHANGE – Road to CMAOntario Weekend

FEATURING, Jason Mercer Band, Rebekah Stevens, Josh David Band & Julia Haggarty Working off past success of Music Cities Exchange, London Music Office has partnered with the Country Music Association of Ontario in the lead up to CMAOntario Festival and Awards (this May 31st – June 3rd in London) for a special Music Cities Exchange with The City of Kitchener and Music Works. Two nights of live country music featured at Cowboys Ranch (London) Friday May 4th and Saturday May 5th at Dallas Night Club (Kitchener). Both nights are free running 7:00pm – 10:00pm and are 19+ events. OFFICIAL LINE-UP: Rebekha Stevens (Kitchener) Jason Mercer Band (London) Julia Haggarty (London) Joshua David (Waterloo) Full details: London: https://www.facebook.com/events/776020179250473/ Kitchener: https://www.facebook.com/events/759876514218827/ http://www.londmusicoffice.com http://www.cowboysranch.ca http://www.dallasnightclub.ca

April 11, 2018

The Country Music Association of Ontario Announces 2018 Performers, CMAOntario Award Nominees and Michelle Wright as Impact Award Recipient

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is pleased to announce this year’s performing artists, CMAOntario Award Nominees and Impact Award Recipient. Performing artists include Impact Award Recipient Michelle Wright, country rock band Cold Creek County, Ontario / Nashville based Meghan Patrick, Canadian country music veteran Jason McCoy, Niagara Falls native Tim Hicks, multi-genre musician Tebey and the country swing ensemble Western Swing Authority. Michelle Wright will receive the 2018 Impact Award sponsored by Canadian Music Week. As the first Canadian‐born artist in the modern era of country music to have a Top Ten hit in America with her Arista Records Nashville release, “Take It Like A Man,” a Number One video on CMT‐USA (also for “Take It Like A Man”) and to win a major U.S. music industry award (the Academy of Country Music […]

April 9, 2018

A Message from the President (April 2018)

Our timing is a little off, as the Juno’s were held back in March, but I know that we all want to Congratulate CARAS, CBC and all the many people that produced and performed in probably one of the best Juno shows thus far. Congratulations to double nominees James Barker Band for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and winners of Country Album of the Year. Dreams do come true! Congrats James, Connor, Taylor and Bobby. Also, nice to see all the BNL members back on stage – great night! If you are not already aware, Tracy Martin is now officially President of the Canadian Country Music Association and brings huge credentials with her. As a CCMA director for two years, she managed the CMT Canada […]

April 9, 2018

Performers Announced for the 2018 New Faces Showcase

Congratulations to Brad Battle, Johnson Crook, Kelsi Mayne, Joshua David, and The Redhill Valleys on being selected to perform at the New Faces Showcase & Concert being held at Market Square on Saturday, June 2nd in London, Ontario during the CMAOntario Festival & Awards weekend. This free event will feature a headline concert by star talent (TBA) to closeout the show. Performance times are to be confirmed. See you there!

April 9, 2018

Artist of the Month: Kentucky Rails

When asked why they picked the name Kentucky Rails, the members of the emerging Ontario country band all have the same answer to share… “Kentucky Rails is a metaphor for an underdog/Cinderella story. Everyone is familiar with the Kentucky Derby, but what most people don’t know is that the horses up against the “rails” in the 1st and 20th lanes are at a strategic disadvantage in the race… The members of Kentucky Rails have been grinding their whole lives for the opportunity to showcase our own original music over a broad spectrum and we think that the meaning of the name is symbolic of the struggle that all artists go through in order to achieve that dream.” That grind from band members Justin deGraaf, Ryan […]

April 9, 2018

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Al Brisco

(by Larry Delaney) Al Brisco’s tasty steel guitar work has been featured on countless albums recorded by many of Canada’s top country recording acts. You can hear his stylish “steelin’” on albums by such notables as Ian Tyson, Tommy Hunter, George Hamilton IV, The Good Brothers, The Cooper Brothers, Gary Buck, Smiley Bates, Gordie Tapp, Sylvia Tyson, Wayne Rostad, Joe Firth, Artie MacLaren, Johnny Burke… and the list goes on and on; with not the least being his steel guitar contribution to the Dick Damron classic, “Countryfied.” Perhaps one of Al Brisco’s more illustrious appearances on a recording goes back to 1972, when he was called upon to add his steel work on the Pure Prairie League album “Bustin’ Out”, recorded at RCA Studios in […]

April 9, 2018

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Alessia Cohle

Dave Woods adds pictures to his In The Country podcast in a series of recent interviews filmed around Port Credit. In this episode, Dave catches up with Alessia Cohle at The Brogue Irish Pub. She chats about her Wild Eyed Wanderer EP, opening a show for Brett Kissel & much more. Plus she performs her latest single “Love Gone Right”. Dave Woods is a monthly columnist for the CMAOntario and has been hosting the popular online radio show “In The Country with Dave Woods” since 2009. To hear episodes, please visit www.inthecountryinterviews.com, www.soundcloud.com/dave-woods-3 and iTunes.

April 9, 2018

Patrice’s Pick: Steve Rivers

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music singer-songwriter, Steve Rivers! The Ontario native, now living in Nashville, catches us up on what he’s been working on for the past year or so. He also talks about his newest single, “One Moment Closer”. He shares the story behind the song, which was inspired by his relationship with his now wife. Steve fills us in on what fans can expect to hear from him soon, along with how best to stay in touch! For more on Country Music Junkies, visit www.CountryMusicJunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview with Steve Rivers below: About Patrice: To Patrice Whiffen, country music is a lifestyle. As the appropriately deemed, “Country Music Junkie,” she strives to […]

April 9, 2018

In The News (April 2018)

This section of the newsletter is comprised of news stories, press releases and links to Internet articles that are sent in by our members who believe they will be of general interest to the membership. We include them as a courtesy to our members but do not verify or edit their content. Their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by the CMAOntario nor do their contents reflect the views or opinions of the CMAOntario. If you would like to have something included in the newsletter, please send us a short synopsis, a photo or graphic and the hotlink that can be included in the news listing. Submissions can be sent to verle@cmaontario.ca. Please make sure the Subject Line reads “For inclusion in the CMAOntario Newsletter”. […]