May 2022 – Country Music Association of Ontario

May 10, 2022

Artist of the Month: Owen Riegling

Owen Riegling has been picking away at a guitar since he was eleven years old. Growing up on a 100-acre farm outside of Mildmay, Ontario, Owen’s childhood consisted of playing hockey, riding dirt bikes, and a life written about in country songs. Country music didn’t really cross his radar until it hit the mainstream. He was more into rock music, and the Best of Steve Miller Band. It was Eric Church and Tyler Childers that captured Owen’s attention and drew his creative mind to the country genre. It was from artists like these that he learned he could bring together the elements of both rock and outlaw country that he loved and give them a modern spin that would resonate with listeners today. […]

May 10, 2022

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Clint Curtiss

// by Larry Delaney // (Born: Toronto, ON) (#63 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) Albert Pink was born in Toronto. As an aspiring singer/songwriter he honed his talents under the guidance of Fred Roden – owner of The Record Corral, a popular record store outlet and music venue in Toronto – presenting live entertainment during the 1950s and 60s by visiting country music legends Ernest Tubb, Carl Smith, Wilf Carter, etc. Albert Pink wanted to pursue a career similar to the “stars” he was meeting. The first step on his trip to stardom was a name change and Albert Pink became “Clint Curtiss”. Clint Curtiss was soon touring country music venues with his band, The Clintsmen, and in the recording studio cutting his first album, […]

May 10, 2022

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Kris Barclay

Growing up in Ajax, Ontario, Kris Barclay got his first guitar for Christmas when he was thirteen years old and would sing along to his favourite country songs when nobody was around. Fast forward – Kris has opened shows for Brett Kissel, The Washboard Union, The Road Hammers, Gord Bamford and Dean Brody. In 2019, Kris was nominated in the Rising Star category for the Country Music Awards of Ontario. At the 2018 Boots and Hearts Music Festival, Kris was voted by fans as the wildcard entry into the Emerging Artist Showcase, allowing him to compete against six other artists in front of a jury of country music artists and industry execs. Kris went on to become the first ever wildcard artist to win the […]

May 10, 2022

In The News (May 2022)

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”. […]

May 4, 2022

CMAOntario Announces More Performers for 2022 CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend

CMAOntario Announces More Performers for the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend Aaron Goodvin, Jason Blaine, Dani Strong, The Wilkinsons, Roslyn Witter, and Ryan Langdon May 4, 2022 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is happy to announce additional programming for the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend taking place June 2-5, 2022 in London, Ontario including the all-new Street Fair. On Friday, June 3 Songs & Stories: Songwriters in the Round will take place at the Toboggan Brewing Co. as country music stars play their fan favourite tunes and share the stories behind them. Hosted by award-winning radio veteran Randy Owen, Songs & Stories will feature: Jason Blaine, nominated for Male Artist of the Year at the CMAOntario Awards; Dani Strong, set to release her […]