Artist of the Month: Jessica Sole / Artiste du mois: Jessica Sole
November 14, 2025In The News (November 2025)
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 submitted online here: https://cmaontario.ca/submit/
The deadline for submissions is the 20th of each month.
GRAHAM SCOTT FLEMING ANNOUNCES EL MOCAMBO RESIDENCY
“BOOTS IN THE STARLIGHT” is making history at the legendary El Mocombo as the first country music residency since it’s opening. Where Country Soul meets city lights– a night drenched in good whiskey, heartfelt lyrics, and the kind of energy that keeps your boots two steppin’ long after the lights go down. Hosted by Country recording artist Graham Scott Fleming, each show features a special guest artist, new collaborations, and the raw, authentic magic that only live music can deliver. Whether you come for the hits, the harmonies, or the heart, you will leave with dust on your boots and a song in your heart.
Opening night is January 30th! Ontario country artist Jessie T will kick things off before Graham Scott Fleming and special guest Stacey Kay hit the stage for an unforgettable evening of music.
“BOOTS IN THE STARLIGHT” will return to the El Mocambo stage on the last Friday of each month in 2026.
Source: Member Submission (Edited)
LISA MCEWEN IS UNWRAPPING A BRAND-NEW FESTIVE SINGLE, “VINTAGE CHRISTMAS”
AMANDA & JAMES RELEASE REIMAGINED WHAM! HIT “LAST CHRISTMAS”
With a CMA Ontario nomination for Group or Duo of the Year and a calendar packed with live shows, 2025 has been a standout year for Canadian Country Duo Amanda & James. Their new holiday release reimagines the iconic WHAM! hit “Last Christmas” as a heartfelt country duet.
Featuring soaring vocals, rich harmonies, and modern country production by 3x CCMA-nominee Matt Koebel, “Last Christmas” is mixed and mastered by 7x JUNO-nominee Brandon Unis. The result is a fresh take on a festive classic that’s equal parts nostalgic and new – perfect for holiday playlists and seasonal programming.
Source: Member Submission (EDITED)
AMANDA KEELES IS ON THE “NAUGHTY LIST” WITH NEW HOLIDAY SINGLE
2025 FCLMA Country Artist of the Year , Amanda Keeles brings the festive fun with a playful new holiday hit about Santa’s notorious Naughty List—and the hilarious realization that she just might be on it!
This toe-tapping tune mixes retro rock ’n’ roll energy with Keeles’ signature charm, wrapped up in twangy guitars, soaring fiddle, and feel-good holiday spirit.
Featuring a star-studded lineup of CCMA-winning musicians:🎧 Produced by Shawn Moore , 🎸 Chris Bray – Guitar (Jade Eagleson / CCMA Guitar Player of the Year), 🎶 Kevin “The General” Neal – Steel Guitar (Jade Eagleson / CCMA Steel Player of the Year), 🎻 Tyler Beckett – Fiddle (Jade Eagleson / CCMA Fiddle Player of the Year),🎤 Kristen Rogers – Harmony Vocals (Post Malone / Lee Brice / Zach Bryan), 🥁 Shawn Moore
With its catchy hook, lively rhythm, and a wink of holiday mischief, Amanda Keeles’ “Naughty List” is destined to become a seasonal favorite for country and rockabilly fans alike.
Source: Member Submission (EDITED)
KRISTIN NICHOLLS BAND TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE “WHEN LIFE FEELS GOOD”
Kristin Nicholls Band are excited to share the first single “When Life Feels Good” off their upcoming EP entitled ‘Paradise Garage Sessions’, coming out the end of the month. Written and recorded in Peterborough, ON with long time friends and collaborators Ryan Kennedy & Colin Kennedy at the studio Paradise Garage. Nicholls says, “it’s easier for me to write a song about a break up or when life feels chaotic, but right now life feels good so I want to write about that”. The song talks about working hard on yourself and getting to a place “Where Hell feels like the life you left behind”, it’s a song of redemption, a song of hope, that no matter how bad things get, you always have the ability to turn it around. Mixed in Nashville, by Jordan Honsinger, the song has highway driving energy.
Listen where you stream when the song is released at the end of November.
Source: Member Submission (Edited)
PAIGE RUTLEDGE RELEASES UPDATED VERSION OF BLUE CHRISTMAS
Paige Rutledge turns the classic Christmas crooner track “Blue Christmas” into a swinging, honky-tonk toe tapper. And, the unrequited love theme becomes more tongue in cheek as Paige updates the lyrics to say that it’s HIM who will be missing out.
From Oakville Ontario, Paige Rutledge has become one of the artists to watch on the country scene. Her debut EP “Break Up Rules” (released at the end of 2024) has over 600,000 streams, and was nominated for Album of the Year at the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards, and Paige also picked up a nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year .
Check out “Blue Christmas” across streaming platforms!
