March 2023 – Country Music Association of Ontario

March 27, 2023

2023 CMAOntario Awards Nominees Announced

The Country Music Association of Ontario Announces 2023 CMAOntario Awards Nominees Josh Ross, Tebey and Robyn Ottolini Lead In Nominations March 27, 2023 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is excited to announce the nominees for the 11th Annual CMAOntario Awards, taking place on Sunday, June 4 at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Ontario. Josh Ross, Tebey, and Robyn Ottolini lead with five nominations apiece, followed by Tim Hicks with four nominations, and Karli June and Nate Haller with three nominations each. Hosted by Jason McCoy and Shannon Ella from Pure Country Radio, the CMAOntario Awards Show will close out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend June 2-4, 2023. The CMAOntario Awards, presented by Slaight Music, will acknowledge the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry across 19 categories. Tickets […]

March 26, 2023

Robbie Watson & 88 Acres Band

Robbie Watson & 88 Acres Band is a Canadian five-piece Country Rock Band from Cornwall, Ontario Inspired by the storytelling of traditional country music and energized by the driving guitar sounds of rock n’ roll – The band blends the genres into a modern sound that is as gritty as it is polished The band features Robbie Watson on lead vocals and guitar, he is supported by lead guitarist Pat Regnier, bassist Steve lefebvre and drummer Greg Poapst- with all members performing backup vocals Starting with the release of their first single “Rock Me Little Country Girl”, the band has launched a series of compelling tracks – ranging from the high octane “New Rock N’ Roll”, the hometown anthem “Where I’m From” and the band’s […]

March 26, 2023

Robbie Watson & 88 Acres Band

Robbie Watson & 88 Acres Band is a Canadian five-piece Country Rock Band from Cornwall, Ontario Inspired by the storytelling of traditional country music and energized by the driving guitar sounds of rock n’ roll – The band blends the genres into a modern sound that is as gritty as it is polished The band features Robbie Watson on lead vocals and guitar, he is supported by lead guitarist Pat Regnier, bassist Steve lefebvre and drummer Greg Poapst- with all members performing backup vocals Starting with the release of their first single “Rock Me Little Country Girl”, the band has launched a series of compelling tracks – ranging from the high octane “New Rock N’ Roll”, the hometown anthem “Where I’m From” and the band’s […]

March 26, 2023

Robbie Watson & 88 Acres Band

Robbie Watson & 88 Acres Band is a Canadian four-piece Country Rock Band from Cornwall, Ontario Inspired by the storytelling of traditional country music and energized by the driving guitar sounds of rock ‘n roll – The band blends the genres into a modern sound that is as gritty as it is polished. The band features Robbie Watson on lead vocals and guitar, he is supported by guitarists Pat Regnier, bassist Steven Lefebvre and drummer Greg Poapst – with all members performing backup vocals. Starting with the release of their first single “Rock Me Little Country Girl”, the band has launched a series of compelling tracks – ranging from the high octane “New Rock N’ Roll”, the hometown anthem “Where I’m From” and the band’s […]

March 26, 2023

Robbie Watson & 88 Acres Band

Robbie Watson & 88 Acres Band is a Canadian four-piece Country Rock Band from Cornwall, Ontario Inspired by the storytelling of traditional country music and energized by the driving guitar sounds of rock ‘n roll – The band blends the genres into a modern sound that is as gritty as it is polished. The band features Robbie Watson on lead vocals and guitar, he is supported by guitarists Pat Regnier, bassist Steven Lefebvre and drummer Greg Poapst – with all members performing backup vocals. Starting with the release of their first single “Rock Me Little Country Girl”, the band has launched a series of compelling tracks – ranging from the high octane “New Rock N’ Roll”, the hometown anthem “Where I’m From” and the band’s […]

March 15, 2023

Save Our Creative Community: Make Your Voice Heard

Currently, 35% of radio airtime for Popular Music formats in Canada is reserved for recordings that meet the criteria for definition as Canadian Content (popularly known as CanCon). Currently, a recording must embody a minimum of two of the following four elements: M (music): the music is composed entirely by a Canadian A (artist): the music is, or the lyrics are, performed principally by a Canadian P (performance): the musical selection consists of a live performance that is recorded wholly in Canada, or performed wholly in Canada and broadcast live in Canada L (lyrics): the lyrics are written entirely by a Canadian This is commonly referred to as the “Maple System” (MAPL). With multiple writers, if the majority of the combined writing credits are Canadian, it qualifies. The Canadian […]

March 14, 2023

Sam Stone

March 11, 2023

Brian Tremblay

Brian remembers listening to his first records on the family RCA portable record player stereo when he was very young. They were his sister’s old Beatle records. They were barely playable but the music came through and he was hooked. It wasn’t until a hockey player that played for the Soo Greyhounds boarded at his family’s home did things really change. Tremblay watched him play his Gibson SG along to B.B. King records. It was fascinating! He decided to ask his parents for a guitar. His very first was a Fender F-25 bought from the local music store. After that, everything was history. But music can be a rocky road. In high school, Brian broke both his wrists and that seriously hampered his guitar playing. […]

March 8, 2023

Artist of the Month: Roslyn Witter

It was back in 2014 when Roslyn Witter had the experience of a lifetime that assured her that she was on right career path. She signed with Slaight Music and won a singing contest that was hosted by a radio station. The contest awarded her the incredible opportunity to sing a duet with Keith Urban for his then-upcoming concert in Hamilton, ON. The major country icon recognized her talent by kneeling in appreciation and surprising her with an autographed guitar that he later mailed to her. The guitar is a permanent display in her living room! Witter not only grew up appreciating country music; she was born into it. Her Dad, Jim Witter, had ten Top 10 hits (“Distant Drum”, “Everything and More” and “Stolen […]