In The News (July)

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.

Voting Now Open for the Boots & Hearts Festival Emerging Artist Showcase

Country music fans now have the opportunity to vote for the eighth and final semi-finalist to be featured in the Boots & Hearts Festival Emerging Artist Showcase. Seven semifinalists have already been selected including: Amanda Sadler, Jade Eagleson, Jason Kirkness, Kalsey Kulyk, Kentucky Rails, Marco Sylver, and The Redhill Valleys. Vying for the eighth spot are Ontario acts Chloé Caroline, Emma Wright, Josh Ross and Mike Ure (Buck Twenty).

The eight semi-finalists will perform at the 2017 Boots and Hearts Festival between August 10 – August 13, where they will compete for two (2) finalist spots to perform on the Main Stage at the 2017 Boots and Hearts Festival. Voting ends July 16.

Vote: http://bootsandhearts.com/showcase/

Country stars fill the hill

On Saturday evening thousands of people sat under a nearly full moon on the grass of Fort Henry overlooking the water just to Chill on the Hill and listen to some country music.

Put on by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, Chill on the Hill featured Canadian artists Meghan Patrick and Aaron Pritchett with headliner Rascal Flatts.

Patrick, 2017 winner of the Country Music Association of Ontario’s Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Rising Star, and Music Video of the Year awards as well as Canadian Country Music Awards songwriter of the year nominee, opened the show with both original music and some classics.

Full story: The Whig

Scar On My Heart: Teagan Littlechief’s Affecting Anthem

Although she will sing ‘O Canada’ for thousands at the Saskatchewan Roughriders July 1st game in Regina’s new Mosiac Stadium and this winter, performed the U.S. national anthem perfectly before the final playoff game between the Regina Pats and the Seattle Thunderbirds, Teagan Littlechief says her latest single, ‘Scar On My Heart’ holds a special place in her heart – and she hopes in the hearts of her listeners.

“David Joseph – who wrote ‘Scar On My Heart’ is a songwriter from Kitchener, Ontario,” says Littlechief. “ I met him during Canadian Country Music Week in London, Ontario in 2016. I asked him if he had any material and when I checked out his work, I kept going back to ‘Scar.’”

“Musically, it’s got kind of a Faith Hill/Martina McBride vibe, but really, what affected me most was the song’s lyrics,” she says. “I wasn’t the only artist who wanted to record ‘Scar On My Heart’ but I was able to convince David what I could do with it and I got the song!”

Full story: The Observer