CMAOntario Announces Additional Awards Performances & Charitable Partners

CMAOntario Announces Performances by
Susan Aglukark, Kelly Prescott and Elyse Saunders
at the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards

CMAOntario Partners with
Hamilton Food Share and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps
for New Faces and Legacy Revival Drive-In Concerts

July 26, 2021 (TORONTO)

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is proud to reveal more exciting performers for the 9^th Annual CMAOntario Awards, plus new partnerships with Hamilton Food Share and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps as part of the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend, taking place September 3 – 5 at Ancaster Fairgrounds in Hamilton. CMAOntario will donate a portion of proceeds from the New Faces Showcase on September 3, and the Legacy Revival concert on September 4, to these local charities. Tickets for these Pay What You Can shows are on sale now!

On Friday, September 3 the New Faces Showcase and drive-in concert will give fans a chance to take in some of Ontario’s hottest new music, and up-and-coming talent with performances by Aaron Allen, Charissa, Kansas Stone, Owen Barney, Genevieve Fisher, Ryan Langdon, and The Road Hammers.

On Saturday, September 4 the Legacy Revival drive-in concert will feature Ontario’s treasured pioneers in a celebration of the music that paved the way for so many of today’s country artists. Hosted by Wendell Ferguson, The Legacy Revival will feature Marie Bottrell, Michel Lalonde, Russell deCarle, Sylvia Tyson, and The Good Brothers.

The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend will close with the 9^th Annual CMAOntario Awards, presented by Slaight Music, on Sunday, September 5.

Hosted by Jason McCoy and Beverley Mahood, the CMAOntario Award Show will include a special guest performance by Juno Award winning Inuk singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark, as well as: SiriusXM Top of the Country finalist Kelly Prescott, who is nominated for two CMAOntario Awards; and Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase finalist Elyse Saunders, who is also up for two CMAOntario Awards. Previously announced performers include Tim Hicks, Aaron Allen, Buck Twenty, David Boyd Janes, Owen Barney, Reney Ray, Robyn Ottolini, Sacha, The Redhill Valleys, and the CMAOntario Awards house band The Western Swing Authority.

“A big thank you to the kind hearted music fans who help keep local families from going to bed hungry,” said Celeste Taylor, Resource Development Manager, Hamilton Food Share. “For every $1 donated, Hamilton Food Share provides $5 worth of food to 23 hunger relief programs which include food banks and hot meal programs in neighbourhoods across the city.”

“At Tim Hortons Foundation Camps we believe a better future starts with opportunity for youth. Tims Camps equips young people with the skills they need to reach their potential – skills like leadership, responsibility and resiliency,” said Cara Ziegler, Director, Fund Development at Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. “This is made possible in part by supporters like the Country Music Association of Ontario. We are so grateful CMAOntario has chosen Tims Camps as a beneficiary. Together, we can help youth from low income communities change their stories for the better.”

“We’re so proud that our events will generate real support for both Hamilton Food Share and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. Our charity partners share the same baseline of community support, development and growth,” said Steve Kassay, CMAOntario President. “The CMAOntario Festival and Awards Weekend gives all fans the opportunity to help their community while enjoying the spirit of togetherness unique to CMAOntario events.”

CMAOntario is committed to presenting and promoting the work of Ontario’s country music industry, and will continue to work closely with partners in Hamilton to ensure the safe presentation of the drive-in concert events. The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend is presented by Slaight Music, with support from Ontario Creates.

About Hamilton Food Share
We believe no child should go to bed hungry. Last year, Hamilton Food Share distributed almost 4.4 million pounds of food to 20 hunger relief programs, food banks & hot meal programs operating in neighbourhoods across the city. For over 30 years, Hamilton Food Share has been the emergency food acquisition and distribution hub for the city of Hamilton’s Emergency Food Network dedicated to providing nutritious food to people living in poverty.

About Tim Hortons Foundation Camps
Tim Hortons® Foundation Camps is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1974 to expand the horizon of what is possible for young people. A leader in youth development programming, Tims Camps support youth from low-income homes between the ages of 12 to 16 – an important developmental time that helps shape who they will become as adults. Through a multi-year, camp-based program, youth learn skills like leadership, resilience and responsibility, which empower them to believe in their potential. With seven camps in North America that run year-round Summer and School Programs, youth are supported to thrive when they return home, to excel in post-secondary education, to succeed at work and to contribute positively to their communities. More than 300,000 kids have attended a Foundation camp at no cost to them or their families. For more information about Tim Hortons® Foundation Camps, please visit www.timscamps.com.

CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend
September 3 – 5, 2021
Drive-In Style Concerts
Ancaster Fairgrounds
630 Trinity Road South, Hamilton

Friday, September 3 at 7pm – New Faces Showcase & Concert
Tickets On Sale Now on Eventbrite
Pay What You Can (Suggested: $20)

Saturday, September 4 at 7pm – The Legacy Revival
Tickets On Sale Now on Eventbrite
Pay What You Can (Suggested: $20)

Sunday, September 5 at 7pm – CMAOntario Award Show
Tickets On Sale Now on Eventbrite
$119 (GA 2–pack) to $350 (VIP carload)

www.cmaontario.ca

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @theCMAOntario

Media Contact: Damien Nelson, damien@wantandable.ca

	About CMAOntario: In 2007, Rob MacArthur and founding patron Linda Wright together with a number of key industry professionals founded the Country Music Association of Ontario. The Association’s mandate is to foster the growth and development of Ontario’s country music and its industry, provincially, nationally and internationally. The CMAOntario has hosted eight annual Awards Shows and six two-day Road to Independence educational conferences with the generous assistance of presenting sponsor Slaight Music and support of Ontario Creates. www.cmaontario.ca
	About Slaight Music: Slaight Music was started in 2011 with a mandate to support the Canadian music community through a variety of initiatives, and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers. We work with artists from across the country and across the musical spectrum, helping to further careers and get great music heard. We’re also invested in the technology sphere, helping Canadian music entrepreneurs develop the next generation of digital platforms and services. And, we support a variety of music-related events, causes and charities. www.slaightmusic.com
	About Ontario Creates: Ontario Creates (formerly OMDC) is a provincial agency that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. www.ontariocreates.ca Ontario Créatif (anciennement la SODIMO) est un organisme provincial qui encourage le développement économique, les investissements et la collaboration au sein des industries de la création de l’Ontario, notamment dans les secteurs de la musique, de l’édition de livres et de revues, du cinéma et de la télévision, et des produits multimédias interactifs numériques. www.ontariocreates.ca/accueil.htm