October 2020 – Country Music Association of Ontario

October 16, 2020

Artist of the Month: Nicole Rayy

Oakville’s Nicole Rayy has worked hard to reach new heights and recognition in her country music career. With the release of her recent single, Broken Boys, and her 2020 EP, All Woman, she’s showing everyone that she’s certainly well on her way to becoming a known and celebrated artist in Ontario and beyond. The 2020 Country Music Association of Ontario Female Artist of the Year nominee has been busy during the pandemic. She’s released new music, done press rounds to promote it, performed in live streams and at drive-in concerts (including the CMAOntario Awards in London, ON), creating her own opportunities with HarmoniaFest, and more. None of this busy schedule is new to Nicole. Her career has already taken her to big Canadian festivals and […]

October 16, 2020

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Bob Lucier

Born: December 9, 1942 – Grande Prairie, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Bob Lucier was born in Grand Prairie, Ontario – a small community near Chatham – and he has been playing steel guitar since his late teenage years. He first played professionally with his hometown-based Myers Brothers & The Jubilaires. He would later become a renowned steel guitarist for several of Canada’s top country bands, including Eastwind – a group headed up by Johnny Burke; and with the Caribou Showband, with that group hosting their own TV series At The Caribou. Bob also was the steel guitar player in the house band backing Canadian legend Tommy Hunter, host of the long-running CBC-TV series, The Tommy Hunter Show. He was also the steel guitarist in the […]

October 16, 2020

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Mike Robins

Dave catches up with Mike Robins about his debut solo single “Lightning Don’t Strike Twice”. Mike hit it big on the country music scene in 2013 with his group Autumn Hill, achieving radio success with multiple top 10 and 20 singles including “Anything At All,” “Mixtape,” and “Can’t Keep Waiting.” The music video for the groups hit single “Blame” also topped the CMT charts reaching #1. As part of Autumn Hill, Mike has been nominated for 4 Canadian Country Music Awards, 2 JUNO Awards, and 5 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards, and won awards for the CMAOntario’s Rising Star and Best Group/Duo. In The Country Radio Show · Interview With Mike Robins (October 2020) Dave Woods is a monthly columnist for the CMAOntario Newsletter and […]

October 16, 2020

Patrice’s Pick: Elyse Saunders

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Elyse Saunders! Elyse shares the story behind her new tune “Free,” fills us in on her vlog and what’s coming up soon for this inspiring Ontario artist! For more information about Country Music Junkies, visit www.countrymusicjunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview here and 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 music, Patrice currently works with radio stations across Ontario to bring listeners the newest of new country music. You can find out more […]

October 16, 2020

In The News (October 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”. […]

October 5, 2020

Winners of the 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards Announced

The Country Music Association of Ontario Announces Winners of the 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards October 4, 2020 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) tonight celebrated the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry across 17 categories. The 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards was the first ever, live drive-in country awards show, and took place on The Raceway at the Western Fair District in London, Ontario. Meghan Patrick from Bowmanville, Ontario led with three wins, followed by Tim Hicks, James Barker Band, and The Reklaws with two wins each. These wins mark a historic run for CMAOntario artists: Meghan Patrick has won the CMAOntario Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for three consecutive years. She has won Album of the Year for two […]