January 25, 2018

A Message from the President (January 2018)

The CMAOntario’s Board Members would like to wish all a belated Happy New Year, and all the best for 2018. I believe we are all in for a much smoother and more bountiful year. Opportunities abound! As the Board continues to prepare for 2018 in London, the Membership Committee has created some new performance opportunities with a number of Ontario Fairs. These performance opportunities will be decided by a submission-based application and the chosen artists will be selected by a jury made up of industry personnel. Keep an eye on the newsletter to get all the deets – it will be coming up soon! I was unable to make the 2017 Unison Holiday Schmoozefest, but that party raised $35,000 for Canadian Music Workers in Crisis. […]
December 21, 2017

A Message from the President (December 2017)

2017 has been an incredible year for the Country Music Association of Ontario and the continued success stories of our members. The Board of Directors would like to thank all of our members for their ongoing support and friendships. It really does feel like a big family. Our membership is at a record high and new members continue to join weekly, and as a gentle reminder, January 2018 is the month that memberships are to be renewed. Please visit our website at www.cmaontario.ca for online renewal. Tickets are going fast for the 2018 Award Show and CMAOntario members can still take advantage of a special members-only price. Promo codes to access the members’ discount will be sent to CMAOntario members via email through the Association. […]
December 21, 2017

Winners Selected to Open for Brett Kissel on His “We Were That Song” Tour

Countless fans have uploaded videos of themselves performing their favourite Brett Kissel song to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook entering for their chance to #KickItWithKissel this Winter on his ‘We Were That Song’ national tour. The winners have now been selected! Congratulations to our members chosen to open for Brett on the tour dates below: •    Fri, Feb 2 – Thunder Bay, ON – Thunder Bay Community Auditorium – Augusta Ray •    Thu, Feb 22 – Barrie, ON – Georgian Theatre – Nicole Rayy •    Fri, Feb 23 – North Bay, ON – Capitol Centre – The Small Town Girls and Ben Hudson •    Sat, Feb 24 – Sudbury, ON – Fraser Auditorium – Amanda Jordan •    Sun, Feb 25 – Sault Ste Marie, ON – The Machine […]
November 20, 2017

2018 CMAOntario Awards Show Announces Jason Mccoy Returning As Host & Public Onsale Date!

The Country Music Association of Ontario is excited for the return to London, Ontario as the host city for the 2018 CMAOntario Awards show. Set to take place Sunday June 3, 2018, at Centennial Hall, Jason McCoy of The Road Hammers resumes his role as host. Ever-engaging and entertaining, Jason McCoy, a two-time CCMA Male Vocalist of the Year, has become a popular host on many fronts. From voicing the nationally syndicated Country Radio show, Sounds Canadian, (2007-2010), to stepping in front of the camera as host of Smashtown (CMT Canada/USA), two seasons of CMT’s Pet Heroes (2010/2011), and Jason McCoy Eats America. As creator and front man of the best-selling band in Canadian country music history, The Road Hammers, Jason took on the Country […]
November 17, 2017

A Message from the President (November 2017)

Short message this month folks, but I do want to remind everyone of some important deadlines. “KICK IT WITH KISSEL” CONTEST If you have not already uploaded your video to Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #KickItWithKissel you will be missing a chance to open for Brett on his northern Ontario dates in February. Check out our October newsletter as well as our website for contest rules and available markets and dates. The deadline to upload your video is November 30th. CMAOntario ROADSHOW GOES TO PETERBOROUGH On Saturday, November 25th, the CMAOntario Roadshow will be pulling into Fleming College to host a daylong program of educational seminars. For aspiring music professionals, artists and songwriters, it is a unique opportunity to network with peers and access […]
November 13, 2017

CMAOntario RoadShow Hits Peterborough

CMAONTARIO ROADSHOW: LEARNING EXCHANGE IN PETERBOROUGH Saturday, November 25, 2017 Kawartha Trade & Technology Centre at Fleming College Room 1129 – 599 Brealey Dr., Peterborough, ON On Saturday, November 25th, the CMAOntario RoadShow will be pulling into Fleming College, to host a daylong program of educational seminars. For aspiring music professionals, artists and songwriters, it is a unique opportunity to network with peers and access industry experts with the potential to impact your career. SEND US YOUR DEMO A perennial favourite, the DEMORAMA LISTENING SESSION, provides you with the captive audience you’ve always wanted. Send a demo and get direct feedback from industry professionals – both from a craft and business point of view. Find out what these experts have to say about song structure, lyric writing and generally […]
October 31, 2017

Kick It With Kissel Contest Returns

Want to open for Brett Kissel on his “We Were That Song” tour? Here’s your chance! Submit a video of you performing your favourite Brett Kissel song to win an opportunity to open for him on his We Were That Song tour. Simply record yourself, stating your name, location, and why you want to open for Brett, then rip into your rendition of your favourite Kissel tune. Upload your video to Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook by November 26, 2017 using the hashtag “#KickItWithKissel” and tagging CMAOntario. Winners will be announced on December 4, 2017. Contest open to current CMAOntario members for the Ontario dates on the tour.  Brought to you by the Country Music Association of Ontario, Invictus Entertainment, and BK himself. Contest Rules: 1) Winner will […]
October 20, 2017

MusicOntario & Rogers Hometown Hockey Looking for 2017-2018 Tour Stop Performers

The Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour is proud to announce that Season 4 will roll into 24 communities across Canada this season with a weekend of free outdoor hockey festivities for all ages. Each tour stop is full of activities, prizes, giveaways and great live music from local bands all culminating in an outdoor viewing party of an NHL game broadcast live every Sunday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW. Ron MacLean and Tara Slone host live on site from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio. For more information on the tour stops, please follow Rogers Hometown Hockey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MusicOntario is pleased to assist in the search for local artists and bands to perform at each tour stop! Are you from one of the following […]
September 19, 2017

Partner Spotlight: MusicOntario

What is MusicOntario? Launched in 2012, MusicOntario is a non-profit, membership-based Music Industry Association (MIA), representing Ontario’s independent artists and businesses. As a division of the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), our mission is to provide professional development, services and support to the independent music industry in Ontario. What do we do? MusicOntario curates programs, events and initiatives that assist in nurturing, promoting, and sustaining growth within the provincial music sector. We do this by both creating accessible opportunities for emerging local talent and professionals, and connecting them to Ontario’s existing industry infrastructures, festivals and organizations within Ontario’s communities. From 2015-2017, MusicOntario delivered over 108 events (and counting), ranging from workshops, panels, b2b and peer mentorship sessions, to showcases, domestic and international market access, networking […]