Newsletter
February 9, 2021
2020 was a big year for Sacha’s country music career, and 2021 looks like it’s going to be even bigger! The Ontario singer-songwriter released her “The Best Thing” EP in July last year, with her single Standards approaching 400,000 streams on Spotify and picking up adds on country radio stations. It has landed on great playlists, picked up great reviews and recommendations, and cracked the Top 50 on the charts, with momentum for more. But, the biggest news right now might be her inclusion in CMT’s Next Women of Country, Class of 2021! With Canadian stars MacKenzie Porter and Tenille Arts, as well as talented artists like Ashland Craft and Reyna Roberts, Sacha finds herself in great company on the list – and the exposure […]
February 9, 2021
// by Larry Delaney // Born: Dec. 10, 1944 – Seaton (Devonshire) England Home: Ottawa, Ontario (#46 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) In the Bluegrass Music world, Mike O’Reilly has long been one of Canada’s “best kept secrets”. The now-veteran Canuck has done it all: a masterful musician, a gifted singer, a quality songwriter, and a stage presence that balances a traditional bluegrass voice with a comedic side that keeps an audience enthralled. Today’s bluegrass fans will likely be aware of Mike O’Reilly’s quartet of albums recorded with long-time music partner Dick Smith, releasing the four albums (from 2002-2008) on the New Era Recording label under the “Dick Smith – Mike O’Reilly Band” banner. Amazingly, all 56 songs featured on these albums were written solely […]
February 9, 2021
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”. […]
January 11, 2021
Y’all know Meghan Patrick. She’s the 15-time Country Music Association of Ontario award winner, the CCMA Rising Star, two-time Female Artist of the Year, and Ontario-born-and-raised hit machine. From the very start of her solo career with Bow Chicka Wow Wow, to her most recent single (and entry to the US country radio market), My First Car, Meghan Patrick has been capturing the attention of country music fans and building a reputation as a world class singer, songwriter and performer. Note: If you still haven’t seen Meghan Patrick perform live, we highly recommend that you make a plan to do that when our stages are reopened and it’s safe to get out there and dance and sing along! The Bowmanville, ON native was once in […]
January 11, 2021
// by Larry Delaney // (#45 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) Seven albums, 20 charted singles, including three #1 hits and eight Top 10 hits to their credit… but still, Canadian Zephyr remain as one of Canadian country music’s all-time “mystery” acts. A product of the pre-CD, pre-video era of Canadian country music, Canadian Zephyr were the perfect example of being “ahead of their time.” The early origins of the band go back to the late 1960s as a foursome called The Four Jacks, featuring the talents of John Hayman, Bill Meens, Marty Steiger and Chris Plewes. In 1971, after Steiger and Plewes left the act, Hayman and Meens were joined by bassist/vocalist Garth Bourne, billing themselves as CANADIAN ZEPHYR, with a home base in […]
January 11, 2021
Ottawa’s country brother duo Lemon Cash visits In The Country to chat with Dave about about their upcoming single “Wine Tonight” produced by CMAOntario Producer of the Year Jeff Dalziel, their influences, how they came up with their duo name & much more! Dave Woods is a monthly columnist for the CMAOntario Newsletter and has been hosting the popular online radio show In The Country with Dave Woods since 2009! To hear episodes, please visit www.inthecountryinterviews.com, www.soundcloud.com/dave-woods-3 and iTunes.
January 11, 2021
This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Jason Blaine! We caught up with Jason Blaine to chat about his new EP, Go With Me, which was released on October 23, 2020! He shares the stories behind the tunes, including a behind-the-scenes look at his love story with his wife Amy – the inspiration for the title track (along with many others)! Jason also talks about his upcoming live streams and so much more! For more information about Country Music Junkies, visit www.countrymusicjunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview here and below: About Patrice: To Patrice Whiffen, country music is a lifestyle. As the appropriately deemed, “Country Music Junkie,” she strives to share her passion for country music with […]