Artist of the Month: Sully Burrows / Artiste du mois: Sully Burrows
September 15, 2025In The News (September 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.
OWEN RIEGLING SIGNS WITH U.S. RECORD LABEL BIG LOUD
The rising (Ontario) Canadian country star revealed that the influential country label Big Loud Records — which recently expanded their marketing leadership team — has signed on as his U.S. label partner, joining forces with his home label Universal Music Canada.
Since winning the 2022 Boots & Hearts Festival Emerging Artist Competition, Riegling has established himself as one of Canada’s emerging voices in country music, and the goal is to expand his reach south of the border.
Last year, the Mildmay, Ontario native earned two Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards, one of which was for his track “Old Dirt Roads,” which peaked at No. 69 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Billboard Canada Country Airplay chart. He’s currently charting on Country, with “Coming Home To You (Bigger House),” his duet with Mackenzie Porter. Not to mention opening stints for country stars Brett Young, Jake Owen, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line and Chase Rice.
NEW MUSIC FROM THE REDHILL VALLEYS
“‘I Know You’re Gonna Leave’ is about that gut feeling you get when you know someone’s slipping away. It’s painful, but there’s also a strength in admitting the truth to yourself instead of holding on to something broken. We wrote this song to capture both the heartbreak and the release that comes with letting go of something that was never meant to be.”
Source: Member Submission (EDITED)
ANDY COLONICO “CAN’T PUT A PRICE ON A GOOD TIME”
Unapologetically fun and brimming with singalong energy, “Can’t Put A Price On A Good Time” is a Country-Rock anthem celebrating the timeless truth that memories outweigh money. Breakout Country artist Andy Colonico (Revive The Rose) teams up with rising four-piece powerhouse Small-Town Strip Club to deliver a gripping, feel-good and catchy hit built on soaring guitar riffs, powerful harmonies, and a classic country melody. Written while reminiscing on a long drive, the song reflects Colonico and Small-Town Strip Club’s mutual small-town roots and the priceless nights spent with friends. Colonico and Small-Town Strip Club frontman Johann Yundt penned this tune based on a Country hook, filling in the gaps on why good company, even on a limited budget, is more fulfilling than the flashy living commonly amplified on social media. The second verse tips its hat to Canadian icons like The Tragically Hip and April Wine, with a call-and-response that feels like belting out lyrics shoulder-to-shoulder in a crowded bar. With its stadium-ready sound, “Can’t Put A Price On A Good Time” is an instantly relatable track that emphasizes that while money comes and goes, the best moments in life are truly priceless and unforgettable.
Source: Member Submission (EDITED)
JULIAN TAYLOR FALL TOUR AND SHOW DATES
Catch Julian Taylor on tour in Ontario this fall! For more info and TICKETS.
Solo Shows:
September 27th – Newmarket, ON
September 30th – Ottawa, ON
Songs & Stories Tour with Logan Staats:
November 15th – Thunder Bay, ON
November 16th – Atikokan, ON
November 17th – Dryden, ON
November 19th – Red Lake, ON
Source: Member Submission (Edited)
STRATFORD’S JANNA LEDUC UNVEILS “THAT’S HOW” OFF UNCOMING DEBUT ALBUM
Country music has a new voice that’s as real and grounded as the gravel roads she grew up on. Rising artist Janna Leduc, from Milverton and now based in Stratford, Ontario, is gearing up to release her debut album ‘Long Time Comin’’ this fall, with the single “That’s How,” out now.
Janna’s music is unapologetically country. It blends the storytelling heart of the genre with a rock edge that keeps her sound bold and fresh. Her shows aren’t just concerts—they’re rowdy, line-dancing, crowd-singing parties where authenticity and energy are front and centre.
Her new single “That’s How” was recorded in Nashville with an all-star team of musicians, including Andy Leftwich on fiddle and Doug Frasure on drums. It’s a no-nonsense anthem about living life on your own terms, wrapped in a high-energy sound that’s destined to get fans singing along.
JESSICA SEVIER ANNOUNCED AS iHEARTRADIO FUTURE STAR
JAMES BARKER BAND ARE BACK WITH THEIR SOPHOMORE ALBUM “ONE OF US”
NEW MUSIC FROM BML MUSIC: BREA LAWRENSON “YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO I AM”
Ottawa born Country artist, Brea Lawrenson has been leading the charge for Indie artists for several years, with many charting releases to radio. Today, she records all of her music in Nashville.
When she’s in Ottawa, the self-titled homebody enjoys connecting with her fan base on social media, and hosts her own 5 star rated, Podcast called The Distillery , where she shares stories from her times performing, writing and recording in Canada, the US and the UK.
With the help of her 260,000 TikTok followers, her audience is world wide. In 2023, Brea celebrated a career milestone and one of her wildest dreams she shared the stage as one of the opening acts for Shania Twain at Ottawa Bluesfest.
LAUREN CARSON RELEASES NEW SINGLE “BEHIND THE BAR”
Lauren Carson is a Canadian country artist known for her buttery vocals, magnetic stage presence, and songs that feel like stories told over coffee (or whiskey). Rooted in country but shaped by indie-folk and bluegrass influences, her sound is where honest lyrics meet honey-smooth melodies.
Described by Soundcheck Entertainment as “a sunrise,” Lauren’s music captures the quiet in-between moments of life, making the regular moments special. Her songwriting reflects a sharp instinct for detail and wit, drawing comparisons to artists like Ella Langley, Brandi Carlile, and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
With recent performances on the RBCxMusic Emerging Artist stage at Cavendish Beach Music Festival and Departure (prev. Canadian Music Week), and her most recent single earning a spot on Sirius XM’s Top of the Country, Lauren is quickly making her mark on the Canadian country scene.
TARA SHANNON’S COVER STORY ALBUM RELEASE
ONTARIO LIVE MUSIC PRESENTERS SUMMIT OPEN CALL FOR DELEGATES
We’re excited to announce the Open Call for Delegates for the Ontario Live Music Presenters Summit, taking place during VENUExVENUE 2025 music festival + conference — happening NOVEMBER 6–8 in London, Ontario, Canada’s only UNESCO City of Music.
The Ontario Live Music Presenters Summit brings together venue owners, festival programmers, bookers, music offices, and associations from across the province to address the most pressing issues in our live music ecosystem and explore solutions to strengthen touring routes, venue sustainability, and regional collaboration.
Delegates are also encouraged to attend artist showcases throughout the event to discover emerging talent for future bookings and programming.
Deadline: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 – APPLICATION
PRE-SAVE NEW MUSIC FROM TIM HICKS
“I really identify with the story in the sense that I had a dream to play music for a living and I wasn’t gonna stop until I made it a reality. I think that’s what makes this song so identifiable in general – it’s for anyone with a dream, anyone who isn’t willing to let their plan take a back seat to someone else’s. That feeling is an insatiable itch that I understand completely.” – Tim Hicks
