March 2020 – Country Music Association of Ontario

March 31, 2020

Artist of the Month: Bree Taylor

With her most recent single, Cry, Mississauga’s Bree Taylor continues her evolution from pop singer to emerging country music artist. The singer-songwriter’s move to the genre came in 2019 with the release of her singles, Turn It Up and Drive and as she moves forward, fans are taking notice. With more than 70,000 views on the official music video for Drive, and another 55,000+ on the video for Cry (since its release in late February), Bree Taylor is earning the kind of early attention and appreciation that helps build a fanbase and set the stage for things to come. “Things to come” includes her debut country EP, which Bree has been recording and preparing for a release in the near future. The industry has started […]

March 31, 2020

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Johnny Burke

Born: April 28, 1940 – Rosaireville, New Brunswick Died: September 21, 2017 – Cobourg, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Jean Paul Bourque was born into a French Acadian family in New Brunswick. He moved to Toronto in the early 1960s, anglicizing his name to Johnny BURKE and began working the Toronto music scene, heading up the band Johnny & The Bees and later, the Blue Valley Boys. After a lengthy stint in the house band for The Carl Smith Country Music Hall TV series, Johnny then (1967) headed-up The Caribou Showband, which would later (1972) become the popular Johnny Burke and Eastwind band. The Johnny Burke & Eastwind group (Al Brisco, Joe Howe, Brian Barron, Roddy Lee, Mel Aucoin) toured extensively across Canada and were the […]

March 31, 2020

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Michelle Wright

Dave Woods chats with Canadian Country Music Hall Of Famer Michelle Wright and gets the stories behind 4 of her hits. Plus, Michelle gives a shout out to Manitoba’s Don Amero which could lead to a future duet. 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 since 2009! To hear episodes, please visit www.inthecountryinterviews.com, www.soundcloud.com/dave-woods-3 and iTunes.

March 31, 2020

Patrice’s Pick: One Ugly Cowboy

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artists, Jane and Richard of One Ugly Cowboy! We find out the story behind their unique band name, and some of their tunes! We learn more about their live shows, and what to expect next from this Toronto-based country-rock band! For more information about One Ugly Cowboy, visit www.oneuglycowboy.com. For more information about Country Music Junkies, visit www.countrymusicjunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview with One Ugly Cowboy 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 view of the world of country […]

March 31, 2020

In The News (March 2020)

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”. […]

March 27, 2020

2020 CMAOntario Festival & Awards Rescheduled for October 1 – 4, 2020 in London, Ontario

Celebrating Ontario’s Country Music Industry March 27, 2020 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) has rescheduled the 2020 CMAOntario Awards for Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Centennial Hall in London. Presented by Slaight Music with support from Ontario Creates, the 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards will close out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend in London October 1 – 4, 2020, previously scheduled for May 28 – 31. Following the recommendations from government officials regarding COVID-19, CMAOntario took the steps to reschedule the festivities to ensure that the health and well-being of artists and audiences is protected. CMAOntario is committed to presenting and promoting the work of Ontario’s country music industry and looks forward to celebrating in the Fall. Nominees for the 2020 CMAOntario Awards will be announced this Spring. Performers will be announced in the coming weeks. […]