In The News (September 2018)

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.

THE REKLAWS “LONG LIVE THE NIGHT” CERTIFIED GOLD

It has been a momentous week for brother-sister country duo The Reklaws. This past weekend, they won the SiriusXM Rising Star award at the 2018 CCMA Awards in Hamilton, performing on the televised broadcast. Now comes news that their recent hit single, “Long Live The Night,” has been certified gold. The track is the first single and title track from their three-song EP, out via UMC.

FYI Music News

THE MVP PROJECT TO BOOST CANADIAN MUSIC VIDEOS

RBC and the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (The Canadian Academy) have partnered on a new initiative called the Music Video Production Project (MVP Project). A press release states that “the MVP Project will support and promote emerging Canadian recording artists and filmmakers in the creation of music video content, increasing resources available within the national music community.”

The MVP Project is expected to help fill the void left by the cancellation of the MuchFACT fund last year.

Full story: FYI Music News

ANDREW HYATT HAS SOME SIRIUS-LY GOOD NEWS

Ontario country singer/songwriter Andrew Hyatt received a significant career boost in Hamilton last weekend. The Sudbury resident won the inaugural SiriusXM Top of the Country competition, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA). Hyatt took home the grand prize of $25,000, entry into a SOCAN songwriting camp in Pender Island, BC, and more.

To win the prize, Hyatt battled it out onstage with the other two finalists, Jason Benoit and Leaving Thomas, on Friday, September 7 at an event in the CCMA Fan Village as part of Country Music Week. Chart-topping country music star Tim Hicks closed out that show.

Full story: FYI Music News

CRTC REQUIRES THE PRODUCTION OF CANADIAN ORIGINAL CONTENT

The CRTC responded today (August 30, 2018) to the government’s Order-in-Council to reconsider its decisions regarding large television groups by imposing conditions of licence on them to ensure the continued support of the Canadian creative sector. The government asked the CRTC to re-examine original Canadian French-language programs, programs of national interest in the English-language market and short-form programming, including music. These changes were made to preserve the viability, stability and competitiveness of the creative sector and the Canadian television market.

For the French-language market, the CRTC now requires each group to make significant investments in the creation of French-language programs, representing 75% of its Canadian programming expenditures for original French-language programs starting in 2019-2020. The percentage in 2018-2019 will be 50%, which will enable the groups to adjust to the new requirements and ensure sufficient support for the production of original French-language content for the French-language market.

The CRTC is also increasing expenditure requirements for programs of national interest in the English-language market. The percentage will now be based on historical expenditures, to ensure sufficient investment in the production of these programs and financial contributions according to each group’s financial resources. Therefore, the requirements are increasing from 5% to 7.5% of previous years’ revenues for Bell, and from 5% to 8.5% for Corus, while requirements for Rogers remain at 5%. The CRTC believes this approach will ensure the Canadian production sector continues to play an essential role in the Canadian economy and offer high-quality content to viewers in Canada and abroad.

The CRTC determined that the groups in both language markets will be required to allocate an average of $5.5 million per year to support the production of musical programs (FACTOR and MUSICACTION). These expenditures will be imposed from 2019 to 2022, and will ensure regulatory uniformity among the groups.

Full release: CRTC

NEW SINGLE “TAKE A LOT OF PAIN” BY THE REDHILL VALLEYS

CANADIAN ALT-COUNTRY & ROOTS ROCK
LISTEN TO THE BRAND NEW SINGLE “TAKE A LOT OF PAIN”
AND WATCH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE ON ALL MUSIC DOWNLOADING AND STREAMING SERVICES.

 CLICK TO WATCH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

SPOTIFY
APPLE MUSIC
ITUNES
SOUNDCLOUD

www.theredhillvalleys.com

FREEDOM MUSIC LAUNCHES TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES

They say that music is therapy for the soul.  It stirs within each of us in its own unique but meaningful way, and thus becomes our outlet of escape that brings us to a time and place where we feel a sense of calm and contentment.

Freedom Music, the brainchild of music veteran Michael Peters, has officially been launched, and will use the power of music in support of the overwhelming mental health issues affecting our society today..

Freedom offers creative music programs and music experiences, helping individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, and PTSD.

Its services will be offered to a wide range of the population, including First Responders and the Military, and will serve as the official music program partner of Frontline Forward, a new PTSD wellness center in Kitchener-Waterloo.  www.frontlineforward.com 

There will also be an emphasis in helping people in high stress careers such as Sports Professionals, IT Professionals, Media and Entertainment Professionals, and others in the general population who have at one time or another, experienced a traumatic experience in their life.

The creative space of Freedom Music is a relaxing environment, offering a combination of comprehensive music modalities, all mentored by Freedom’s professional team, enabling our program participants to express themselves in ways they never thought possible.

Freedom will also host workshops, live performances and fundraisers, locally, and in various cities across Canada, and will include special well known musical guests, where program participants and music industry elite can share their stories and songs, and be advocates for awareness of mental health issues.

The program is being supported and mentored by several accredited mental health professionals, with the flagship office located in Kitchener-Waterloo Ontario.

www.freedommusic.ca

CHELSEA CRITES RELEASES NEW SINGLE “READY FOR THE FIGHT”

Chelsea Crites has just released her brand new single “Ready For The Fight” to country radio and official music streaming services with a stunning official music video to go with it she has an EP coming out in 2019 titled “Civil War” featuring some of her most personal and inspirational music yet .

Watch the official video here : https://youtu.be/eTdTmgtuDSc

Available on ITunes , Spotify , Amazon Music , Google Play & More .

LISTEN TO CHARLIE MAJOR’S NEW SINGLE

CHARLIE MAJOR + FRIENDS

‘It Can’t Happen To Me’
25th Anniversary Edition

The 25th Anniversary of ‘It Can’t Happen To Me’ features Dean Brody, Terri Clark, Johnny Reid, Gord Bamford, Jess Moskaluke, Derek Miller, Jason Blaine, Tim Hicks, The Road Hammers, Doc Walker, Bobby Wills, Brett Kissell, Aaron Pritchett, Aaron Goodvin and Tebey.

All proceeds of this track will be donated to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

LISTEN HERE