September 2022 – Country Music Association of Ontario

September 6, 2022

Artist of the Month: Nick Hedden

Nick Hedden is a Windsor, Ontario native who first picked up the guitar at just five years old. Participating in talent shows and school musicals immersed him in a world of music from a young age. Taking time away from music to focus on school, he returned to music after seven years to pursue his education. He holds a Masters Degree in Criminology. The “aha” moment for Nick happened during his first writing session, surrounded by seasoned writers from Nashville. During this session, he and his co-writers wrote one of Nick’s favourite songs; in that moment, he realized that he could do this for a living as well. Leaning in as a performer and songwriter, Nick started to invest in his career as an artist […]

September 6, 2022

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Ward Allen

// by Larry Delaney // (1922-1965) (Born: Kirkton, Ontario) (#66 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) There have been many Canadian-made songs that have become standards and earned mega-play worldwide… One, however, that often flies under the radar, is the fiddle instrumental, “Maple Sugar”, composed by the late Ward Allen. Most fiddle players in North America and beyond have either recorded or performed a live version of “Maple Sugar” – the tune is immediately identifiable by fans and enthusiasts of fiddle music. Ward Allen’s “Maple Sugar”, originally recorded and released on the Sparton Records of Canada label, was so popular and far-ranging that it also earned a release on the famed Texas-based D-Records label, operated by Pappy Daily. Warden Amber (Ward) Allen was born May 11, […]

September 6, 2022

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Shaylyn

Hamilton’s Shaylyn joins me on the podcast to chat about her music career, her love of traditional country music as well as her new single “Favourite Hello, Hardest Goodbye”. It’s the follow up release to her popular single “The Drink”. Shaylyn released her first album in 2017 titled Lovin’ The Legends which included the very first song she wrote, entitled “Nana’s Little Girl”, as a tribute to her supportive Nana. The great thing about Shaylyn’s shows is that she’s keeping country music’s past alive with the classic songs she covers. A modern girl with a traditional sound.

September 6, 2022

In The News (September 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”. […]