2022 CMAOntario Festival Performers & Free Events Announced

CMAOntario Announces
Performers and Free Events for the
CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend
June 2-5, 2022 in London, Ontario

April 19, 2022 (TORONTO)

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is thrilled to announce programming for the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend taking place June 2-5, 2022 in London, Ontario, including an all-new Street Fair with a series of free concerts.

“We are thrilled to welcome back the CMAOntario Festival & Awards to London UNESCO City of Music this June. 2022 brings an expanded format of programming with more exciting ways for the community to enjoy. The CMAOntario’s return is part of London’s commitment to supporting a robust music ecosystem, bringing employment opportunities, artist performances and public facing activations for Londoners to enjoy,” said Cory Crossman, Music Industry Development Officer, City of London.

On Thursday, June 2 the Legacy Revival will feature Ontario’s treasured pioneers at Purple Hill Country Hall in a celebration of the music that paved the way. Hosted by Jamie Warren and Gary Taylor, the event will feature performances by Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Michelle Wright, seven-time CCMA winner Thomas Wade, Juno nominated country trio Lace, Canadian Songwriters Hall of Famer Robert Paquette, and ten-time CCMA nominee Diane Chase.

CMAOntario is proud to host a free Street Fair at Dundas Place from June 4-5, 2022 with food and game vendors, a super fun kids zone, and a series of free afternoon and evening concerts packed with Ontario’s finest country music stars.

On Saturday, June 4 the Bonfire concert (formerly New Faces showcase) will give fans a chance to take in some of Ontario’s hottest new music, and up-and-coming talent with performances at Dundas Place by: Brian John Harwood, fresh off his latest single Savin’ Up For Friday; Dustin Bird, named one of 9 Canadian Country Artists To Watch In 2022 by Front Porch Music; Gabrielle Goulet, nominated for CMAOntario Francophone Artist of the Year; Karli June, who recently released her EP Where You Come From; Nate Haller, nominated for the Rising Star Award; and four-time 2022 CMAOntario Awards nominee Tebey, who will headline the event.

On Sunday, June 5 the Tailgate Party will kick off the CMAOntario Awards celebrations with a pre-show bash at Dundas Place. This free concert will include performance by 2022 CMAOntario Award nominees Alli Walker, David Boyd Janes, Graham Scott Fleming, and Mackenzie Leigh Meyer.

The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend will close with the 10^th Anniversary celebration of the CMAOntario Awards, presented by Slaight Music, on June 5, 2022 at Centennial Hall. Hosted by Jason McCoy and Robyn Ottolini, the CMAOntario Awards will include previously announced performances by: Tebey, Tim Hicks, Genevieve Fisher, Sacha, Cory Marks, Jason Blaine, Kristine St-Pierre, Nate Haller, River Town Saints, and The Western Swing Authority. The CMAOntario Awards will also include guest artists Michelle Wright, Beverley Mahood, and Patricia Conroy, who will be joined by The Western Swing Authority’s Stacey Lee Guse, in a tribute performance to Impact Award recipient Carroll Baker.

The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend will also include Songs & Stories: Songwriters in the Round, and the R2i TuneUp Conference. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend is presented by Slaight Music with support from Ontario Creates and Tourism London.

CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend
June 2-5, 2022 in London, Ontario

Legacy Revival
Thursday, June 2 at 7:30pm
Purple Hill Country Hall, 20903 Purple Hill Road
Tickets: $40 plus fees
www.cmaontario.ca

Street Fair
Saturday, June 4 – 11am-11pm
Sunday, June 5 – 11am-4pm
Dundas Place, 190 Dundas Street
FREE Admission

Bonfire
Saturday, June 4 at 7pm
Dundas Place, 190 Dundas Street
FREE

Tailgate
Sunday, June 5 at 1pm
Dundas Place, 190 Dundas Street
FREE

CMAOntario Awards
Sunday, June 5 at 7pm
Centennial Hall, 550 Wellington Street
London, Ontario
Tickets starting at $69
Tickets for the CMAOntario Awards are available for purchase now
at Eventbrite or by phone at 1.888.999.8980

www.cmaontario.ca

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @theCMAOntario
#CMAOntario10 #LiveAndLoudInLondon

Media Contact: Damien Nelson, damien@wantandable.ca

	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 nine annual Awards Shows and six two-day Road to Independence educational conferences with the generous assistance of presenting sponsor Slaight Music and support of 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