October 16, 2024
CMAOntario Artist of the Month: James Downham Contributing Writer: Matt Ersnaught For a guy named Downham, there’s a lot of “Up” in his life lately. James has not one… not two… but three Ontario hometowns: Pembroke, Picton and now, Stratford. James was the winner of Season 2 of The Shot – a web-based talent search show – and was selected from thousands of applicants as one of only 14 artists to participate in The Shot: Canada vs. USA. James also spent over a decade performing in a Tim McGraw tribute act before turning his attention back to original music. In April of 2023, Downham released his “The Long Way Home” album, from which the singles “One Mile at a Time”, “Raised On”, “Wine & Whiskey” […]
October 9, 2024
ONTARIO’S COUNTRY PIONEERS: ROY PENNEY (#87 in the Ontario’s Country Pioneers series) by Larry Delaney Guitar picker extraordinaire, ROY PENNEY was born in Corner Brook, NL. He met with the legendary Dick Nolan and the pair made their way to Toronto during the mid 1960s, where they teamed-up with fellow Maritimers Johnny Burke and Bunty Petrie to form “The Blue Valley Boys”. The act became a popular country club fixture in Toronto, with their music captured on the album, “On Stage At The Drake”. During the 1970s, the group moved on to become the house band at the famous Horseshoe Tavern, where they backed all the hot touring acts of the time. Many mainline acts from Nashville left their tour bands at home, thanks […]
October 8, 2024
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”. […]
August 26, 2024
IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH DAVE WOODS: RYAN LANGDON Niagara Falls, Ontario country artist Ryan Langdon recently released his new single “Whiskey Bottle” via Hidden Pony Records/Slaight Music. Ryan is known for his energetic anthems like “Lit In The Sticks” and “Crossfaded” and showcases another side of his musical and personal artistry with his new single “Whiskey Bottle”. Co-written with Jim Witter and Andrew Martino (Down with Webster), this emotional ballad diverges from your typical “sad country song” that romanticizes the effects and abuse of alcohol. While creating this single, Ryan and his co-writers strived for an honest approach that sheds light on the harsh reality that drowning your sorrow in liquor only intensifies heartbreak and causes more problems. Ryan scored his first Top 30 […]
August 26, 2024
// by Larry Delaney // (#86 in the Ontario Country Music Pioneers Series) PRAIRIE OYSTER was one of Canadian Country music’s most popular groups during the 1990s, scoring a number of nationally charted hit singles, best-selling albums, and a barrel full of awards. The band had its early roots in Ontario with original members Russell DeCarle, Keith Glass and steel guitarist Dennis Delorme coming from various Country and Bluegrass bands, most notably, The King City Slickers. Russell DeCarle performed in house bands on the TV show, “Sounds Good Country” (co-hosted by Carroll Baker and Tim Daniels), as well as the “George Hamilton IV” TV Show. Keith Glass spent early years as the lead guitar player for Sneezy Waters in his stage show, “Hank Williams: The […]
August 26, 2024
CMAOntario Artist of the Month: Andy Colonico Andy Colonico hails from Welland, Ontario, and has spent his life surrounded by music. Growing up in a musically-inclined family, his father was a music teacher, and his mother a professional singer and actress. Music was a constant presence in his life, with his parents’ extensive record collection sparking his early interest in southern rock and country music, especially The Beatles, The Eagles and Van Morrison. He fondly recalls selling his mother’s CDs at her shows and hearing fans rave about her talent. In school, Andy was a social butterfly – he became known as “the drummer boy”. ”No one else was really playing drums so it kind of became my identity.” It wasn’t until the eleventh […]
August 26, 2024
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”. […]
July 19, 2024
IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH DAVE WOODS: ANGELICA APPELMAN Dave Woods chats with Kitchener, Ontario’s Angelica Appelman for the July 2024 CMAOntario In The Spotlight feature. Songwriting became a part of Angelica’s life when she was 13. It was her way of expressing her emotions. She calls this period in her life “Taylor Swift-ing” her way through high school. Angelica made a great first impression on the Canadian country music scene with the release of her debut single “Happy Place” in January 2022. “My single “Happy Place” is a song that means so much to me, because it was my debut single, all about cherishing the simple times and the simple things with the ones you love and who love you.” shares Angelica. “I was […]
July 19, 2024
CMAOntario Artist of the Month: Griffin Palmer Griffen Palmer’s career journey is one unlike many. The Peterborough native grew up in a large musical family. His father- who is also a musician – encouraged Griffen to explore his musical talents and take up piano, drums and guitar. At 12, he was gifted a guitar and a pair of tickets to see Van Halen in concert. During his teenage years, he played in garage bands and began songwriting. Not only is Palmer a talented musician, but he is also a rugby player, and accepted a scholarship to Bowling Green State University in Ohio. From there, he embarked on what many young aspiring artists do… door knocking! He went out looking for opportunities to perform, in […]