April 22, 2025
Artist of the Month: Sugar Crush From the very first ukulele notes, the tone is set: it’s impossible to stay still when Sugar Crush takes the stage. Their infectious energy, sweet harmonies, and festive vibe turn every performance into a true country party. It’s this unique blend of passion and connection with the audience that makes them so irresistible. Comprised of Joanie Charron and Marie-Soleil Provost, Sugar Crush has made a bold mark on the francophone country scene. Since winning the Fans’ Choice Award at the 2022 Gala Country, held at the Festival Western de St-Tite, and earning a nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, the duo has captured the hearts of fans with their colorful and upbeat style. Their latest EP, PAUSE […]
April 22, 2025
Artist of the Month: Sugar Crush From the very first ukulele notes, the tone is set: it’s impossible to stay still when Sugar Crush takes the stage. Their infectious energy, sweet harmonies, and festive vibe turn every performance into a true country party. It’s this unique blend of passion and connection with the audience that makes them so irresistible. Comprised of Joanie Charron and Marie-Soleil Provost, Sugar Crush has made a bold mark on the francophone country scene. Since winning the Fans’ Choice Award at the 2022 Gala Country, held at the Festival Western de St-Tite, and earning a nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, the duo has captured the hearts of fans with their colorful and upbeat style. Their latest EP, PAUSE […]
March 18, 2025
Artist of the Month: Amber-Jo Bowman Amber-Jo Bowman is a captivating emerging Canadian country singer-songwriter based just north of Stouffville, Ontario. Her latest single “Still Got Time” is available now. The single has received editorial support from Amazon Music, including features on Breakthrough Country and Just North of Nashville, along with Spotify’s Fresh Finds Canada. It’s currently also spinning on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country Radio. “Still Got Time”, the reminder that your timeline is up to you and no one else, follows the summer release “Mad About You”, a whimsical love song about falling hard. Her musical narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a family farm where her early love for singing, hearing her dad harmonizing along with the radio, and self-taught guitar […]
February 26, 2025
Artist of the Month: Brad James If you like Keith Urban, Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley, Midland, and The Glorious Sons, you’ll like Brad James! Earning recognition for his authentic sound and relatable lyrics, the musician from Hamilton has steadily carving out a space for himself in the Canadian country music scene. From James’s previous release “Ain’t Enough Bars” (and social media posts!), it’s clear that he enjoys experimenting, by blending modern sounds with traditional elements. His style is an amalgamation of rock and country. However, if you follow him on TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@bradjamesmusic) you’ll never know who’s song he might just do a cover of! Brad’s journey into country music is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep love for telling stories through song. A memorable […]
January 31, 2025
Artist of the Month: Abby Stewart By: Matt Ersnaught Let’s just open this file by doing a little name-dropping: Kelsea Ballerini, Hunter Hayes, Dan + Shay, Dean Brody, Dallas Smith, Jade Eagleson, Aaron Pritchett, Cold Creek County, Brett Kissel, Tebey, Michelle Wright, Emerson Drive, Tim Hicks… and the Kingston Frontenacs. Huh? Abby Stewart has opened for every one of those names above, with the exception of Kelsea Ballerini – that’s a little different connection. That’s because Abby’s single, “Love’s Gone”, was written by Ballerini (with Nancy Peacock and Brad Ellis). It’s logged over 31,000 YouTube views since its release a year ago. You might have seen her performing the tune onstage at events like Boots and Hearts, Havelock Country Jamboree, Ottawa Bluesfest, Trackside […]
December 23, 2024
Artist of the Month: Cory Marks By Alexa @alexascountryparty If you’re in North Bay and see a Cessna 150L or Yak-52 flying above… it might be country/rocker Cory Marks! When he’s not putting his private pilot license to use, or making music, you can catch him on the ice playing hockey. Fun fact: Marks (legally Marquardt) is the also younger brother of professional hockey player Matt! Unlike many artists, Marks hasn’t dreamt of a music career his whole life. It wasn’t until he was at a bar during his college years where friends encouraged him to sing for the first time publicly. Since then, he’s had the opportunity to tour with Toby Keith, Five Finger Death Punch, ZZ Top, Travis Tritt, and Brantley […]
November 28, 2024
CMAOntario Artiste du mois: Michel Lalonde Originaire de l’Est ontarien, Michel Lalonde est bien plus qu’un musicien : il est une figure incontournable de la musique franco-canadienne. Que ce soit à travers son groupe légendaire Garolou ou ses projets en solo, Michel a marqué la scène musicale avec sa voix chaleureuse et ses textes profondément humains. Dans son nouveau spectacle, “De Glen à Garolou”, Michel déroule, tel un conteur, le fil de ses souvenirs, nous invitant à revivre les étapes marquantes de son parcours. Ce voyage musical mêle souvenirs, anecdotes et chansons emblématiques, de ses débuts modestes avec Glen aux succès retentissants de Garolou. À travers ce spectacle, Michel incarne la mémoire vivante d’une culture, un lien entre le passé et le présent, où chaque […]
October 16, 2024
CMAOntario Artist of the Month: James Downham Contributing Writer: Matt Ersnaught For a guy named Downham, there’s a lot of “Up” in his life lately. James has not one… not two… but three Ontario hometowns: Pembroke, Picton and now, Stratford. James was the winner of Season 2 of The Shot – a web-based talent search show – and was selected from thousands of applicants as one of only 14 artists to participate in The Shot: Canada vs. USA. James also spent over a decade performing in a Tim McGraw tribute act before turning his attention back to original music. In April of 2023, Downham released his “The Long Way Home” album, from which the singles “One Mile at a Time”, “Raised On”, “Wine & Whiskey” […]
August 26, 2024
CMAOntario Artist of the Month: Andy Colonico Andy Colonico hails from Welland, Ontario, and has spent his life surrounded by music. Growing up in a musically-inclined family, his father was a music teacher, and his mother a professional singer and actress. Music was a constant presence in his life, with his parents’ extensive record collection sparking his early interest in southern rock and country music, especially The Beatles, The Eagles and Van Morrison. He fondly recalls selling his mother’s CDs at her shows and hearing fans rave about her talent. In school, Andy was a social butterfly – he became known as “the drummer boy”. ”No one else was really playing drums so it kind of became my identity.” It wasn’t until the eleventh […]
July 19, 2024
CMAOntario Artist of the Month: Griffin Palmer Griffen Palmer’s career journey is one unlike many. The Peterborough native grew up in a large musical family. His father- who is also a musician – encouraged Griffen to explore his musical talents and take up piano, drums and guitar. At 12, he was gifted a guitar and a pair of tickets to see Van Halen in concert. During his teenage years, he played in garage bands and began songwriting. Not only is Palmer a talented musician, but he is also a rugby player, and accepted a scholarship to Bowling Green State University in Ohio. From there, he embarked on what many young aspiring artists do… door knocking! He went out looking for opportunities to perform, in […]
May 13, 2024
Artiste du mois : Les Bilinguish Boys | Artist of the Month : Les Bilinguish Boys Formé quelque part entre Azilda et Chelmsford, dans la banlieue du Grand Sudbury, Les Bilinguish Boys sont bien plus qu’un simple groupe de musique. Stef Paquette, Dayv Poulin et Édouard Landry créent un spectacle sur mesure – on the spot – qui combine voix, guitares et improvisation pour offrir une expérience inédite à leur public. Issu d’une tradition débutée au Lavigne Tavern dans le Nipissing, le trio s’est rapidement transformé en une attraction annuelle incontournable. Leur nom, une blague inspirée d’une soirée où un anglophone les a qualifiés de “bilinguish” plutôt que bilingue, reflète bien l’esprit léger et inclusif de leur performance. Leur style acoustique simple et sans […]
April 10, 2024
Olivia Mae Graham discovered her love for music at the tender age of eleven when she first picked up a guitar. Her favourite childhood memories are of her parents shuffling her to and from music lessons, supporting her passion. Olivia continued to pursue this love for music through education at the Harris Institute for the Arts, where she graduated Valedictorian, with an Honours Music Business Professional Certification. She then obtained her Master of Songwriting in Scotland. At the core of her artistry is a desire to uplift and empower others through the positive messages woven into her heartfelt lyrics. From songs like “Pretty Different” and “Mean Girls”, to “Red Rose” and her latest single “I Can’t Move”, Olivia uses the lessons she’s encountered to […]
March 6, 2024
It was a full house of celebration and new music last month as The Western Swing Authority hosted a release party for their brand-new album “12 to 6 Central” at the Registry Theatre in their hometown of Kitchener. Despite it being their fifth full length album, it was the first time they performed on an actual release date. It was a special day, as they were supported by many fans, friends and family. The seven-piece band is comprised of some of Canada’s most sought-after musicians, who have been performing together for 15 years. Featuring Shane Guse as fiddler, vocalist and frontman, his wife, Stacey Lee Guse (vocals and former member of JUNO and CCMA nominated group LACE), Ed Ringwald (steel guitar), Dan Howlett (fiddle, banjo), […]