January 18, 2023
January 18, 2023

Call for CMAOntario Board Nominations and Submissions: 2023

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors that will consist of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of thirteen (13) Directors, of which, nine (9) shall be elected and up to four (4) may be appointed at the discretion of the Board. Each elected or appointed Director shall serve for a period of two years. A Director may serve an unlimited number of duly elected or appointed terms. To maintain governance continuity, seat vacancies on the Board are alternated each calendar year; only a portion of the seats on the Board will be available for each election. Existing Directors who are not running for re-election will serve as the Nomination Approval Committee for all nominees. All Directors must be over […]
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January 17, 2023
January 17, 2023

Artist of the Month: Dayna Reid

Dayna Reid made her grand entrance to the country music scene at CCMA’s Country Music Week 2022. This was followed by the release of her debut EP, “Back To The Trailer”, later that month. Calling Elmvale, Ontario, home, Dayna grew up absolutely passionate about music. Her first performance for a crowd was the school talent show in grade two, where she performed Smash Mouth’s “All Star”. And look at her now: “Hey Dayna, you’re a rockstar.” Feeling like a career in music was out of reach, she turned to her second passion for a career – a deep love for helping others. Studying Autism Behavioural Studies, she worked with children and adults with autism. Dayna holds her work close to her heart, as her younger […]
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January 17, 2023
January 17, 2023

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Ron McLeod

// by Larry Delaney // (#70 in the Ontario Country Music Pioneers Series)   Ronald (Ron) James Harry McLeod was born in Hamilton in 1933. Music always played a large part in his life. At age 15, he won a Gold Award playing the accordion at the Waterloo Music Festival. He was first discovered by Canadian dance band leader Slim Gordon, who hired Ron as an accordion player for his band. After honing his skills with the band, he joined up with Johnny Davidson and added Square Dance calling to his talent list. He also called for The Brady Square Dancers. Ron McLeod’s early career fame was likely best achieved when he became a regular on the Main Street Jamboree. In 1958, he spread his […]
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January 17, 2023
January 17, 2023

In The Spotlight with Dave Woods: Aj Astle of Roadhouse Productions

Several years ago, I began noticing that some of the best music videos for independent country artists in Ontario were being made by Roadhouse Productions. It’s certainly not a well kept secret. Their work is quite simply amazing and is extensive – and I wanted to know more about the company and about one of its owners Aj Astle. So it’s time to put Aj & Roadhouse Productions in the spotlight! Along with his music video career, Aj works with several artists playing bass. You can find him playing with artists Mackenzie Leigh Meyer, Elyse Saunders, Greg Williams, Brian John Harwood and a host of others. In 2022, Aj received his first nomination for CMAOntario Music Industry Person of the Year. I asked Aj how […]
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January 17, 2023
January 17, 2023

In The News (January 2023)

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”. […]
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