February 2021 – Country Music Association of Ontario

February 9, 2021

Artist of the Month: Sacha

2020 was a big year for Sacha’s country music career, and 2021 looks like it’s going to be even bigger! The Ontario singer-songwriter released her “The Best Thing” EP in July last year, with her single Standards approaching 400,000 streams on Spotify and picking up adds on country radio stations. It has landed on great playlists, picked up great reviews and recommendations, and cracked the Top 50 on the charts, with momentum for more. But, the biggest news right now might be her inclusion in CMT’s Next Women of Country, Class of 2021! With Canadian stars MacKenzie Porter and Tenille Arts, as well as talented artists like Ashland Craft and Reyna Roberts, Sacha finds herself in great company on the list – and the exposure […]

February 9, 2021

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Mike O’Reilly

// by Larry Delaney // Born: Dec. 10, 1944 – Seaton (Devonshire) England Home: Ottawa, Ontario (#46 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) In the Bluegrass Music world, Mike O’Reilly has long been one of Canada’s “best kept secrets”. The now-veteran Canuck has done it all: a masterful musician, a gifted singer, a quality songwriter, and a stage presence that balances a traditional bluegrass voice with a comedic side that keeps an audience enthralled. Today’s bluegrass fans will likely be aware of Mike O’Reilly’s quartet of albums recorded with long-time music partner Dick Smith, releasing the four albums (from 2002-2008) on the New Era Recording label under the “Dick Smith – Mike O’Reilly Band” banner. Amazingly, all 56 songs featured on these albums were written solely […]

February 9, 2021

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Aaron Allen

The 2020 CMAOntario Rising Star Aaron Allen joined Dave Woods on a live stream from the legendary Moonshine Cafe in Oakville this past December. Check out their conversation about Aaron’s music career & enjoy Aaron’s performance of “Where Music Comes From” off of his EP Highway Mile.

February 9, 2021

Patrice’s Pick: Graham Scott Fleming

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Graham Scott Fleming! From Elmvale to Toronto to the Broadway stage in New York City, this is one artist you’ll want to watch in 2021! As he makes his return to his roots in country music, Graham talks about his tune “Déjà Vu” – ps: it’s incredibly addicting and insanely relatable! Graham also shares the story behind the song, what’s to come + MORE! For more information about Country Music Junkies, visit www.countrymusicjunkies.com.

February 9, 2021

In The News (February 2021)

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”. […]