January 28, 2017
Born and raised in Bowmanville, Ontario, Meghan Patrick has dedicated her entire life to music, always wanting it to be more than just a passion. “I was drawn to playing guitar so I could start writing music to go along with the words I was writing. I wanted to be self-sufficient as a creative artist.” Prior to setting out as a solo artist, Meghan was the lead singer of the popular roots act The Stone Sparrows. A newgrass / bluegrass band, The Stone Sparrows released an EP and a full-length album before the members parted ways amicably in 2013 after playing their second Boots and Hearts Festival. Meghan has quickly made a name for herself since signing to Warner Music Canada. She has recently signed a publishing […]
January 28, 2017
Their beginnings may be rooted in small towns surrounding the Ottawa River, but there is nothing small about River Town Saints. A 5-piece, harmony-driven group with rock n’ roll roots and life-long friends, Chris Labelle, Chris McComb, Jeremy Bortot, Jordan Potvin and Daniel DiGiacomo, have every intention of proving that a little heart (and a lot of work) does, in fact, go a long way. Led by the strong vocals of Chris Labelle, River Town Saint’s unbeatable energy has already landed them on stage with Tim Hicks and the front page of the Hamilton Spectator. Since signing with Open Road Recordings, the band has shared the stage with The Road Hammers and opened for Tim Hicks. This summer will see the group on the festival […]
January 10, 2017
From an early age on the farm, Ben Hudson knew that music was going to be important in his life… and with a background in piano and guitar, Ben decided to take the leap and show the world that he had country music inside of him that needed to get out and be shared. 2016 was a big year for Hudson with the February release of his self-titled EP, shows on a heap of stages, a CMAO nomination for the Rising Star Award, and with the momentum that he built, it looks like 2017 will be another step in his country music career. In January of last year Ben was also tagged as CMT Canada’s Fresh Face Artist, giving him that shot of awareness and […]
December 21, 2016
The acts selected to open for award winning country artist, Brett Kissel, on the Ontario leg of his upcoming tour have been announced. The winners were selected from close to 100 entries vying to perform with Kissel through the “Kick It With Kissel” contest. Participants were asked to record a video of them performing their favourite original, cover, or Kissel songs and to post it to social media using the “#KickItWithKissel” hashtag. The winners were chosen by a panel comprised of Country Music Association of Ontario board members, Invictus Entertainment, and Kissel himself. “The response to the contest was tremendous,” commented Kissel. “I wish I had room to add more talent.” The winners include: Kansas Stone January 12, 2017 Kiwanis Community Theatre Sault St Marie, […]
December 7, 2016
Sorry for the headline, but I agonized over how to title this, for obvious reasons. Nobody wants to hear about a cost increase and I sure do respect that. So, I lifted some wording that I see regularly included with one of my favourite utility bills (another weak attempt at humour). Whenever I see “changing” I know for sure it doesn’t mean that costs are going down! And so I deliver this news while gritting my teeth, but the fact of the matter is, the CMAO’s costs aren’t going down either. Yes, our main funding sources are via grants and the generosity of Slaight Music, but those applications we fill out are heavily justified specific expenditures that qualify under the funders’ criteria. To keep this […]
December 7, 2016
Country from the cradle, Kelly Prescott was born to sing country music. As a third generation singer/songwriter, music is genuinely in her blood. With the release of her 2016 EP, Hillbilly Jewels, the Ottawa Valley songstress has allowed the country music community to get a closer look at what makes her tick. And after listening to the five song collection, it becomes quite clear that Prescott has made the right decision in following her musical path. With previous albums and recognition, including writing, producing and recording Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s official 2015 campaign song with her brother Kaylen, Kelly Prescott isn’t new to performing – but she also isn’t at the point where she’s ready to kick back and relax. A busy stretch on the […]
December 6, 2016
// by Larry Delaney // Toronto-born singer Diane Leigh can be credited with opening the doors for female singers in Canadian country music. She was the first Canadian female artist to be featured as a regular performer on a country TV series and the first female to be recognized with major awards for her recordings, earning her the distinction of being dubbed “The First Lady Of Canadian Country Music.” Diane Leigh began her music career performing with the Pop band The Sapphires, influenced heavily by the recordings of American Pop stars Joni James, Peggy Lee and Julie London. In the early 1960’s, Diane was ‘discovered’ by Vic Siebert of the famed country & western group Sons Of The Saddle and for a short time, she […]
November 9, 2016
// by Larry Delaney // Born: July 11, 1942 – Ottawa, Ontario Died: May 22, 2005 – Ottawa, Ontario Terry Carisse is among Canada’s most decorated Country singer/songwriters, with numerous Male Artist of the Year, Song and Album of the Year awards presented to him by the Canadian Country Music Association during the height of his career in the early-to-mid 1980’s. As a recording artist, Terry Carisse released six albums and over 30 charted singles on Canadian country hit charts, including ten Top 10 hits; highlighted by such Canadian classics as the #1 hit “Sparkle In Her Eyes”, “All Her Letters”, “We Could Make Beautiful Music Together”, “Windship”, and many more. In addition to his solo recordings, Terry also enjoyed chart success with the 1987 […]