Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Ken Reynolds
December 6, 2023
Seryca Lynn
January 2, 2024In The News (December 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”. The deadline for submissions is the 20th of each month.
Unison’s Annual Holiday Schmoozefest
The music industry’s very best seasonal schmooze is back and this year we’re returning to the Liberty Grand in Toronto!
Join us on Wednesday, December 13th to eat, drink, and be merry with your industry peers. Unison’s Annual Holiday Schmoozefest kicks off the festive season with a celebration that includes music, entertainment, and surprise festive appearances, it’s the party of the season you won’t want to miss!
Schmoozefest is a time for us to celebrate our vibrant music community and those who help support and raise awareness for Unison, empowering us to make an even larger impact every year. Join us in celebrating the community that unites us all and in raising funds that will resonate with the future of Canadian music.
Source: Unison website
Grant Joseph: Home Safe Holiday Giveaway
From sharing the campaign on your social media platforms to encouraging your fans and colleagues to do the same, every action counts. Your support will help amplify the message and create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate community. By supporting the Home Safe Holiday Giveaway, we can make a meaningful difference in ensuring that every member of our country music family enjoys a joyous and safe celebration with their loved ones.
Jade Eagleson shares Joy to the World
Multiple CMAOntario and CCMA award winner Jade Eagleson is doing his bit to make the season bright with his version of “Joy To The World,” available everywhere now. Fans will be in familiar Eagleson territory with his signature classic country take on this track. Jade’s 2023 included releasing his third studio album, Do It Anyway – featuring hot singles: Neon Dreamin’, Shakin In Them Boots and Rodeo Queen – and announcing that he and his wife Marina are expecting another baby boy next year.
Stream or download “Joy To The World” here.
Source: CCMA Member News (edited)
Julianne Hobby’s Country Christmas Classic in London, Ontario
London artist Julianne Hobby announces a brand new Christmas Special with all the warmth and heart of country music, taking place at the Wolf Performance Hall, December 17th, 2023 at 2pm.
Featuring holiday favourites, country classics, original music, dancing and guest performances, it is an event for all ages to come together and celebrate the joys of the season!
Tickets available at www.eventbrite.ca and Wolf box office 519-661-5120. More info also at www.juliannehobby.com
This show will feature Julianne Hobby’s new, original holiday single, “SNOWFALL”, released to streaming platforms November 10, 2023
Source: Member Submission
The Reklaws 4-PEAT
Award-winning, multi-PLATINUM duo The Reklaws have scored their fourth #1 at Canadian country radio with “Honky Tonkin’ About”, featuring Texas native Drake Milligan. The star-studded music video for “Honky Tonkin’ About” was filmed in Romania on the set of The Grey House (Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman). The video features appearances from Christopher McDonald (Happy Gilmore), Robert Knepper (Prison Break), and Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) and premiered exclusively on etalk and CMT/Paramount Times Square billboards.
Source: CCMA Member News (edited)
Griffen Palmer Releases New Single: Heart of Exes
Pickering’s Griffen Palmer is back, with his new release, “Heart Of Exes,” out now on the Big Loud label. The single is the follow up to Palmer’s April-released debut album, Unlearn. The album featured his version of the Songland-winning track “Second Guessing”, which he performed on ABC’s The Bachelor earlier this year. As a songwriter, Griffin has had some impressive cuts with Florida Georgia Line (“Second Guessing”), Keith Urban (“Polaroid”), The Band Camino, Chelsea Cutler, MacKenzie Porter, Jade Eagleson and more.
Stream or Download Single Here
Source: CCMA Member News (edited)
Robyn Ottolini Unveils Heartfelt Single I Kissed Your Boyfriend, from Upcoming EP Growing Up to Do
CCMA Award-winning, platinum-selling country sensation Robyn Ottolini is set to tug at heartstrings once again with the release of her latest single, “I Kissed Your Boyfriend.” This compelling preview offers a glimpse into Ottolini’s highly anticipated EP, Growing Up To Do, showcasing her daring departure into the delicate terrain of social etiquette. Known for standing in solidarity with women, Ottolini’s latest offering is a passionate confession that weaves a tale both heart-wrenching and heart-warming. Listen to “I Kissed Your Boyfriend” HERE and Stream HERE.
In “I Kissed Your Boyfriend,” Ottolini narrates the internal struggle of discovering that the person she kissed is in a relationship. Ottolini shares, “It’s a tension-filled, ‘I am so sorry. This is all my fault. I had no idea. This isn’t my fault. I’m gonna take the blame anyway. I’m so sorry…’ where the only thing you really know for certain is that I’m going to tell her the truth. She should know. She deserves to know.”
Adding depth to her repertoire, “I Kissed Your Boyfriend” marks Ottolini’s first outside songwriting cut. The song, penned by Emily Reid and Jacob Durrett, left an indelible impression on Ottolini when she first heard it, giving her “chills down her spine.” Ottolini reflects on the song’s journey, stating, “Way before anybody knew my name, I used to stalk Emily Reid on her SoundCloud. This song was one of hers that stuck in my heart.”
Produced by Cameron Jaymes (Busbee), Ottolini took the song into the studio, where Jaymes brought out a “visceral performance” from both the band and Ottolini herself. The result is a track filled with emotion and desperation, escalating from start to finish. Ottolini expresses her love for the final product, stating, “I still listen back to it now and love how this one turned out.”
For more information about Robyn Ottolini, please visit her official website at www.robynottolini.com and follow her on social media @robynottolini.
Source: Press Release (edited)
The Western Swing Authority Releases New Video: Happy Chickens
Multiple CMAOntario nominees and winner, The Western Swing Authority, are terrorizing the barnyard with a new single and animated video, “Happy Chickens”. It’s the first single from the upcoming album 12 to 6 Central, recorded earlier this year with producer Colin Linden. They’re still teasing us with an album release date, but you can watch and stream “Happy Chickens” right now.
Source: CCMA “The Source” (edited)
(Source: Member Submission)
Paige Rutledge Releases New Single: The Worst Thing
(Source: Member Submission)
Augusta Ray’s Latest Single Out Now
Augusta Ray’s newest single “DANGED IF I DO”, follows her history of tackling the hard topics. Co-written with country music song writing legend Gerald Smith (Hee Haw, Lorrie Morgan, Collin Raye), “DANGED IF I DO” has a traditional country music feel. “I ended up writing the song with an old-time country song writing legend. What came out of our writing session that day was genuine and raw, and that’s exactly what I wanted to portray in the overall production of the song.”
Source: CCMA “The Source” (edited)
(Source: Member Submission)
Kae Shelby’s Sophomore Album
Shelby’s sophomore album, Unbroken reflects what it is to “literally have the fog heavy skies, parted that I could love and trust myself enough and again, that love could come into my world through another heart. A heart steeped in only good intentions, that compassionate, caring heart existed. And so, this the second in the trilogy, speaks to the “Trusting’ again”. The lead single on, Unbroken called “This Time” speaks to how when we find ourselves again, come to trust ourselves, hear ourselves, life will be better. The title track, “Unbroken” in its opening line, speaks to, how the “fog heavy skies, they parted and the dark of the night became the day”, that seeing clearly was mine again, and in that, a beautiful heart could be discerned for.
(Source: Member Submission)
Olivia Mae Graham: Mean Girls
Born and raised in Southern Ontario, Olivia Mae Graham uncovered her musical passion at 11, when she first picked up a guitar. By 18, Olivia Mae packed up and moved to Toronto, Ontario, where she began her music studies at the Harris Institute for the Arts. Graduating Valedictorian of her class, she earned a Music Business Professional Certification with Honours in 2019. She continued her performance training at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, attending their Music Performance Intensive program on Scholarship in the summer of 2019. Olivia Mae’s dedication to mastering her craft, led her to study at the University of the West of Scotland. “Mean Girls” conveys an essential truth: we can’t change others’ minds, but we can control how we react.
Source: Multiple sources
New Music from Jessica Towler: “I Don’t Like Your Boyfriend”
Ontario country artist JESSICA TOWLER released her newest single, “I Don’t Like Your Boyfriend” earlier this month. The single is currently out on all streaming platforms and the new Official Music Video for the single will be released on December 8th.
Upcoming Shows
Country in the City
Moon Shine Cafe Burlington – December 7th
ALL WOMAN
Moon shine Cafe Burlington – January 17th
https://www.jessicatowler.com/
(Source: Member Submission)
