May 10, 2023
My guest for this month’s column is musician Jeff Brown. He’s made quite a name for himself over the years on the country music scene, accompanying a long list of artists – solo and as part of a band, touring with The Washboard Union, etc. He’s a leader and inspiration in the community. Chances are you’ve seen him perform over the years at a country show. It was great to have Jeff answer my questions on his music career and his instrument: the guitar. Tell us about your first guitar. Was it a case of picking it up and never putting it down? My first guitar was a Jay Turser and it was a knock-off of a Fender Stratocaster with a tobacco burst finish. […]
May 10, 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”. […]
May 9, 2023
The Country Music Association of Ontario Announces Performers for CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend Jade Eagleson Added to CMAOntario Awards Lineup Robyn Ottolini, Owen Riegling, The Redhill Valleys, Buck Twenty Play Free Shows and More! May 9, 2023 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is proud to announce the full list of performers for the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend, taking place June 2-4, 2023 in Hamilton. This annual celebration of country music across the province will feature free concerts, family activities, and an artisan market. The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend kicks off with Songs & Stories: Songwriters in the Round on June 2 at Mills Hardware. Hosted by Dave Woods, Songs & Stories will feature Dave (Dwave) Thomson, Jim Witter, Reney Ray, and […]
April 18, 2023
The Country Music Association of Ontario Announces 2023 CMAOntario Awards Performers Robyn Ottolini, Nate Haller, Karli June, Graham Scott Fleming, Sacha, Elyse Saunders and more! Family Brown to Receive Impact Award April 18, 2023 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is proud to announce the first wave of performers for the CMAOntario Awards, presented by Slaight Music, taking place on Sunday, June 4 at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Ontario. The 11th Annual CMAOntario Awards Show, hosted by Jason McCoy and Shannon Ella, will include exciting performances by: Robyn Ottolini, who is nominated for five CMAOntario Awards this year; Nate Haller, Karli June, and Graham Scott Fleming, nominated for three CMAOntario Awards each; plus Sacha and Elyse Saunders, nominated for two CMAOntario Awards each. Additional performers will include: Vincent […]
April 13, 2023
Kristine St-Pierre est une auteure-compositrice-interprète à la voix de velours. Cette chansonnière au coeur voyageur charme son public avec ses mélodies accrocheuses et l’authenticité de ses textes. Connue pour son aisance sur scène, des textes qui nous interpellent et sa voix mémorable, Kristine St-Pierre propose une musique remplie d’émotion, d’espoir et de force. Suite à la sortie d’un EP en 2010 et de l’album Call Me Crazy en 2012, elle lance La promesse en 2017, un premier opus tout en français. L’album lui mérite une nomination au Prix de la musique folk canadienne dans la catégorie « Auteur-compositeur francophone de l’année ». Elle a également récolté plusieurs nominations aux CMAOntario Awards et a performé au Gala 2022. De concert avec sa carrière, Kristine St-Pierre prête […]
April 13, 2023
// by Larry Delaney // (#73 in the Ontario Country Music Pioneers Series) COLIN BUTLER was billed as “Canada’s Young Singing Sensation” – an appropriate title, as, he began performing at age 3; was a special guest at concert and club events by age 5; and by the time he was 12 years of age, had already made guest appearances on The Tommy Hunter TV Show, Family Brown Country TV show, and recorded his first album before he became a teenager. Colin Butler was born New Year’s Eve, 1960, in Lively, Ontario, and as a youngster he spent his early years in Ottawa, where his parents recognized his special talents to sing and entertain audiences. He quickly became a sought-after “child attraction”. He was soon […]
April 13, 2023
Patrick James Clark has written over 750 songs in the last few years. Some of those songs have been recorded by other artists like Aaron Allen, Emily Clair and Sarina Haggarty. But, of course, he had to save some tunes for himself to be included on his debut album, Yacht Money, which is out now. The storyteller in Patrick shines on “Front Door” and “Pay You Back”. It’s his storytelling in his writing and his ease with humour that make him a great performer to see at a show. Those are 2 of the reasons he was named the 2021 winner of the talent competition The Shot. When pitching Patrick’s sound, I tell people “If you like your country mixed with some John Mayer, then […]
April 13, 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”. […]
March 27, 2023
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 […]