The Country Music Association of Ontario Announces Full Programming for CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend

Intimate Performances, Industry Conference and FREE Concerts!

With Performances by Tim Hicks, Meghan Patrick, The Reklaws, Tebey,
Cold Creek County, The Abrams, Ryan Langdon, Gabrielle Goulet,
Jade Eagleson, Western Swing Authority, The Washboard Union,
Andrew Hyatt, Danielle Bourjeaurd, and more!

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is excited to announce the complete programming for the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend in Ottawa June 14 – 16, 2019 leading up to the 7th Annual CMAOntario Awards.

Presented by Slaight Music, with support from Ontario Creates, the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend will kick off Friday, June 14 with Songs & Stories: Songwriters in the Round at Fourth Stage at the National Arts Centre. Hosted by Wendell Ferguson, Songs & Stories will see Andrew Hyatt, Chris Buck, and Kelly Prescott telling the stories behind their hit country songs.

CMAOntario will host two FREE outdoor concerts on Sparks Street in Ottawa with the New Faces Showcase & Concert on Saturday, June 15 and a Tailgate Party on Sunday, June 16. At the New Faces Showcase & Concert audiences will be treated to performances by The Abrams, Danielle Bourjeaurd, Owen Barney, Les Rats d’Swompe, Kris Barclay, Brad James, and a special appearance by Chris Labelle.

The Tailgate Party is a pre-show celebration of the CMAOntario Awards with the following nominees taking the stage before making their way to the National Arts Centre for the Awards ceremony: Tianna Woods, Kansas Stone, Leah Daniels, Jade Eagleson, and Brea Lawrenson.

On Sunday, June 16 the Legacy Revival will feature Ontario’s treasured pioneers, along with special guests, in a celebration of the music that paved the way for so many of today’s country artists. Hosted by Randy Owen, Legacy Revival will feature Bobby Lalonde, Charlie Major, Gil Grand, Jamie Warren, and Kelly Prescott, along with Randall Prescott and Tracey Brown of Family Brown at Fourth Stage at the National Arts Centre.

CMAOntario will present the Road to Independence (R2I) Conference on June 15 and 16 at the National Arts Centre featuring panels, workshops, and mentoring sessions to foster the growth and development of Ontario’s country musicians and industry. Emerging and established artists will learn from industry professionals and peers about touring strategies, music video production, songwriting and more.

Taking place Sunday, June 16, 2019 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, the 7th Annual CMAOntario Awardswill acknowledge the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry across 16 categories. Hosted by Jason McCoy, the CMAOntario Award Show will also include performances by Jason Blaine, Tim Hicks, Kira Isabella, Meghan Patrick, The Reklaws, Tebey, Cold Creek County, The Abrams, Ryan Langdon, Gabrielle Goulet, Jade Eagleson, The Western Swing Authority, and a special guest performance by The Washboard Union.

Guests will also be treated to a performance by multi-award winning country vocal group The Good Brothers who will be honoured with the 2019 Impact Award, for their enduring and indelibly positive footprint on the landscape of country music in Ontario.

The Nominees for the CMAOntario Awards are listed here: cmaontario.ca/2019-nominees

CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend
June 14 – 16, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario

Friday, June 14 at 9pm – Songs & Stories: Songwriters in the Round
at Fourth Stage (National Arts Centre)

Saturday, June 15 at 7pm – FREE – New Faces Showcase & Concert
at Sparks Street

June 15 and 16 – Road to Independence (R2I) Conference
at National Arts Centre

Sunday, June 16 at 2:15pm – Legacy Revival
at National Arts Centre

Sunday, June 16 at 3pm – FREE – Tailgate Party
at Sparks Street

Tickets and Full Schedule available at www.cmaontario.ca

CMAOntario Award Show
Sunday, June 16, 2019 at 7pm
Southam Hall, National Arts Centre
1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario
Tickets are $59 – $79 (plus HST and fees)  and are available
online at www.ticketmaster.ca or by phone at 1.888.991.2787

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @theCMAOntario

Media Contact: Damien Nelson, damien@wantandable.ca
Media Accreditation is now open here: https://cmaontario.ca/media-accreditation/

	About CMAOntario: In 2007, Rob MacArthur and founding patron Linda Wright together with a number of key industry professionals founded the Country Music Association of Ontario. The Association’s mandate is to foster the growth and development of Ontario’s country music and its industry, provincially, nationally and internationally. The CMAOntario has hosted six annual Awards Shows and five two-day Road to Independence educational conferences with the generous assistance of presenting sponsor Slaight Music and support from Ontario Creates. www.cmaontario.ca
	About Slaight Music: Slaight Music was started in 2011 with a mandate to support the Canadian music community through a variety of initiatives, and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers. We work with artists from across the country and across the musical spectrum, helping to further careers and get great music heard. We’re also invested in the technology sphere, helping Canadian music entrepreneurs develop the next generation of digital platforms and services. And, we support a variety of music-related events, causes and charities. www.slaightmusic.com
	About Ontario Creates: Ontario Creates (formerly OMDC) is a provincial agency that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. www.ontariocreates.ca Ontario Créatif (anciennement la SODIMO) est un organisme provincial qui encourage le développement économique, les investissements et la collaboration au sein des industries de la création de l’Ontario, notamment dans les secteurs de la musique, de l’édition de livres et de revues, du cinéma et de la télévision, et des produits multimédias interactifs numériques. www.ontariocreates.ca/accueil.htm