2021 CMAOntario Festival & Awards Rescheduled for September 3-5, 2021
April 19, 2021
Patrice’s Pick: Paige Rutledge
May 12, 2021In The News (May 2021)
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.
Buck Twenty Back With Release of “Cut Me Off”
(Source: Press Release)
New Music from The Redhill Valleys Puts Women in Charge With Fast Cars and Loud Guitars
The Redhill Valleys’ highly anticipated new single and Music video, “Finish Line”, hits streaming platforms and Radio on May 21, 2021.The Redhill Valleys’ exciting new sound is an amalgam of Alternative Country, Rock and Amerciana, with powerful harmonies, rootsy guitar licks, and timeless songwriting.
This Canadian band is carving their own path with an edge towards the evolution and resurgence of Americana back into mainstream music with influences such as Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Neil Young, The Band, and Fleetwood Mac.
In this latest single, front member and bassist Chelsea McWilliams takes the wheel (literally) with an undeniably confident, edgy and commanding lead vocal. The music video tells the story through a humorous and campy 70’s race car narrative that emanates Rock and Roll energy and female empowerment.
The lyric ‘get me to the finish line’ inspired an amusing and cheeky narrative. It felt very rock and roll in the sense that the female perspective, when it comes to desire and sexuality, is oftentimes a very taboo topic to write about. This song is our own anthem that uplifts female sexuality in a powerful, playful and confident way. It’s really about a woman taking charge of her own desire and attraction, and isn’t afraid to call the shots and demand satisfaction.
(Source: Press Release)
Dayna Shereck Drops Single As An NFT
On May 11, 2021, Canadian and Toronto born and raised singer-songwriter Dayna Shereck, was the first published singer-songwriter in Canada, to drop a country music single as an NFT, also known as Crypto Art, in collaboration with prolific visual artist Cynthia Pechenick.
The song “Faster Than You Can Dream” co-written with well known producer Dave “Dwave” Thomson (credits include: Lady A, Trisha Yearwood, Aaron Pritchett) is a positive message as we endure the toughest stretch of the pandemic in the songwriter’s hometown of Toronto. “The song is about how change can quickly turn our lives around. More people are getting married, moving and starting new careers, people are not wasting time” says Dayna. “In reality the pandemic is showing us that technology is also changing Faster Than You Can Dream and NFT’s and the digitalization of the arts is a big part of that”.
The songwriter has released three EP’s “Suitcase Full of Dreams”, “Chasing the Moon” and “Triggered” over the past few years and has received radio play, including CBC Country and SiriusXM 171. Her co-written songs have been recorded by other independent artists, as well as having one of her song’s licensed for a film placement. The songwriter has also been a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition and was semi-finalist for three consecutive years.
Dayna’s NFT was dropped on rarible.com at the same time the song was released to radio and all digital networks. A :30sec. preview is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PHKSUT1Q2c
NFT Art are digital assets that represent a wide variety of unique tangible and intangible items, from collectible sports cards to virtual real estate and even digital sneakers using blockchain technology. NFT Art are unique collectible tokens that are permanently tied to, for instance, digital artworks and music. They cannot be separated, the token is the art.
(Source: Press Release)
Emilie Roberts Releases New Single “Nervous”
Canadian country pop singer/songwriter Emilie Roberts releases brand new single “Nervous”. “Nervous” is a song that people can relate to. The song is about when you see your crush and want to talk to them but you get extremely nervous around them. Emilie is a unique artist as her music is country with pop influences. The song has a great beat and catchy lyrics. “Nervous” was produced by Jordan Honsinger and written by Madeline Merlo, Emma Lee and Jimmy Thow.
(Source: Member Submission)
Singer/Songwriter Drake Jensen Releases Cover of Lennie Gallant’s “Pieces Of You”
DRAKE JENSEN, Nova Scotia born and acclaimed Nashville recording artist, releases a tribute to renowned Canadian singer songwriter Lennie Gallant with a cover of the 2006 hit Pieces of You.
The track is the second single to Jensen’s upcoming 5th studio album, ICONIC, following the release of the highly successful cover of Corey Hart’s mega hit Never Surrender in early 2021. In addition to two Lennie Gallant covers, it will include versions of other iconic Canadian songs from Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Cockburn, and Rita MacNeil.
“Drake Jensen has once again transformed a well-crafted song into a country-pop hit, bolstering the melodic hooks and the poignant lyric with his unique vocal style.” (Vince Leigh, BMA Magazine)
Drake Jensen’s 2011 debut album On My Way to Finding You, recorded on Nashville’s Music Row, marked the start of an exciting chapter in this Glace Bay native’s music career. Writing in Music Row Magazine, Robert K. Oermann called the album ‘…unmistakably country but with a certain sonic majesty and terrific, multi-layered production finesse.’
In 2012, Drake’s career took off following the phenomenal success worldwide of a YouTube video of the album’s title track. His second Outlaw album followed, which included the smash Scars, focusing on the darkness that often accompanies victims of bullying. 2015 saw the release of Drake’s third album, Retro with his interpretation of Everytime I See Your Picture earning him praise from renowned Canadian rock icon Luba, who called Drake a “maverick” in the industry. In 2016, his album Sideshow was released with the lead single Wherever Love Takes Us bulleting into the Top 40 Country Charts in Australia. Jensen’s single, Burn the Floor released in May of 2020, was a huge hit at Australian Radio and was voted “Video of the Year” by fans of the site Country Queer.
“Pieces of You” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other music outlets. The video is available on Youtube at https://youtu.be/lJT6xUpIxR0
(Source: Press Release)
Now Open: Submissions for the 2021 CCMA Songwriters’ Series
Each year, the CCMA solicits submissions from its members who excel at the craft of songwriting and want to share their stories with audiences during our annual event.
The 2021 CCMA Songwriters’ Series, as part of Country Music Week in London, ON, will feature three sessions. Each session will showcase eight (8) artists; four (4) of whom will be selected from submissions received, and four (4) of whom will be decided upon by a CCMA-appointed talent advisory committee made up of impartial industry members.
Submissions received for the 2021 CCMA Songwriters’ Series will be reviewed by an impartial industry-led jury and successful applicants will be notified of their opportunity to showcase as part of the event this spring.
Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 21, 2021 at 2:00pm ET, (no exceptions).
(Source: Press Release)
