October 2018 – Country Music Association of Ontario

October 23, 2018

Artist of the Month: Matt Morson

Schomberg, ON artist Matt Morson started strumming a guitar when he was 11 years old… and he hasn’t stopped since. The country boy may have started with Led Zeppelin on his mind, but he’s landed on country music with three singles already released to the world and the promise of more on the way. Wanted Man, Girl On The Bar, and Nevada Girl have racked up more than 50,000 plays on Spotify and YouTube and have brought him airplay in Canada, as well as the United States, Italy, and even Lebanon. In his early career, Morson has already played some great stages and shows. Recently, he’s had the opportunity to play at the Havelock Country Jamboree, Stouffville Country Ribfest, and the Northern Country Saloon at […]

October 23, 2018

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Hank Rivers

(aka Henry “Hank” Lariviere) (Born – Jan. 23, 1917 – Hawkesbury, ON) (Died – May 7, 1996 – London, ON) (by Larry Delaney) The early years of Canadian country music were largely dominated by national heroes Wilf Carter and Hank Snow… but, flying under the radar at that time was the equally talented Hank Lariviere, who was influenced heavily by the songs and recordings of Carter and Snow as well as Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams. Henry Lariviere was born January 23, 1917, in Hawkesbury, Ontario, with the family relocating to Ottawa when he was still a youngster. By his pre-teen years, Henry was playing guitar and singing the songs made famous by his idols. At the outbreak of WW II, Henry found himself in […]

October 23, 2018

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Dustin Bird

In this recent interview in Port Credit, Dave Woods chats with Stirling, Ontario’s Dustin Bird. Dustin has a new single out at Country radio called “She Likes My Guitar” which he wrote & produced. Dave Woods is a monthly columnist for the CMAOntario Newsletter and has been hosting the popular online radio show In The Country with Dave Woods for over 9 years! To hear episodes, please visit www.inthecountryinterviews.com, www.soundcloud.com/dave-woods-3 and iTunes.

October 23, 2018

Patrice’s Pick: Jesse Slack

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music singer-songwriter, Jesse Slack! The Ontario native, Jesse Slack, talks about his new single, I Wish I Never Met You. Jesse talks about his start in country music, along with his style and sound. We also find out what’s next from this singer/songwriter, and how best to connect with him online. Check out Jesse Slack’s website by clicking here: http://www.jesseslack.com/. For more on Country Music Junkies, visit www.CountryMusicJunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview with Jesse Slack below: About Patrice: To Patrice Whiffen, country music is a lifestyle. As the appropriately deemed, “Country Music Junkie,” she strives to share her passion for country music with the world. As a radio broadcaster with an inside […]

October 23, 2018

In The News (October 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”. […]

October 15, 2018

2019 CMAOntario Awards: Tickets On Sale Friday, October 19th

JASON MCCOY RETURNS AS HOST THE GOOD BROTHERS TO RECEIVE IMPACT AWARD NEW FRANCOPHONE ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD ANNOUNCED October 15, 2018 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario is excited to announce that tickets for the 2019 CMAOntario Awards go on sale this Friday, October 19th. The 7th annual celebration will bring an evening of continuous music, memorable moments and inevitable fun to the National Arts Centre (Southam Hall) in Ottawa on Sunday, June 16, 2019 starting at 7:00pm. Tickets for the CMAOntario Awards will be available for purchase to the public as of 10:00am, Friday, October 19 online at www.ticketmaster.ca or by phone at 1.888.991.2787. Early bird pricing will be in effect with prices ranging from $69.00 (plus taxes and service […]

October 2, 2018

Ottawa Announced as Host City for the 2019 CMAOntario Festival & Awards

October 2, 2018 (TORONTO) 2019 will mark the debut of the CMAOntario Festival and Awards in the nation’s capital. Announced today by the Country Music Association of Ontario, the annual three-day fête will take over various venues in Ottawa from June 14-16, 2019 to celebrate the best in Ontario country music. “Ottawa has been a proven market for country music, with both a burgeoning live music scene and a continued demand for the genre,” said CMAOntario President Steve Kassay. “We feel that the city is the next natural choice as we continue to extend the CMAOntario Awards celebrations throughout the province and engage our member communities. As an Ontario-wide association, we have also been cognizant of the growing sector and popularity of Franco-Ontario country artists. […]