March 6, 2024

In The News (March 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”. […]
March 6, 2024

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Dan Paul Rogers

// by Larry Delaney // (#82 in the Ontario Country Music Pioneers Series) DAN ROGERS was born June 18, 1957, in Trenton, Ontario and has lived in the Ottawa Valley town of Renfrew for most of his life, where he has since become a fixture on the Country Music scene, now affectionately known as DAN PAUL ROGERS. In his teen years, Dan Rogers performed with the Gospel Music group Shilo, and then as a member of the Traditional country band, The Countrymen, which led to forming his own band, Home Coming. Rogers was “discovered” in 1984, during an Ottawa Valley Talent Contest. One of the judges for the event was multi-award-winning producer/musician Randall Prescott and he recognized the special vocal and songwriting talents that Dan […]
March 6, 2024

Artist of the Month: The Western Swing Authority / Artiste du mois : The Western Swing Authority

  It was a full house of celebration and new music last month as The Western Swing Authority hosted a release party for their brand-new album “12 to 6 Central” at the Registry Theatre in their hometown of Kitchener. Despite it being their fifth full length album, it was the first time they performed on an actual release date. It was a special day, as they were supported by many fans, friends and family. The seven-piece band is comprised of some of Canada’s most sought-after musicians, who have been performing together for 15 years. Featuring Shane Guse as fiddler, vocalist and frontman, his wife, Stacey Lee Guse (vocals and former member of JUNO and CCMA nominated group LACE), Ed Ringwald (steel guitar), Dan Howlett (fiddle, banjo), […]
March 6, 2024

In The Country with Dave Woods

SPOTLIGHT ON JESSICA SEVIER My guest for this month’s column is Jessica Sevier!   Since her debut single “Ghost of Tom” in 2019, Jessica’s music has been collectively streamed over 1 million times. Performing live has been a key part of growing her audience, and Jessica has shared the stage with artists including Jason McCoy and Tim & the Glory Boys, and has performed at music festivals and renowned venues including Whisky Jam in Nashville and the legendary Lee’s Palace in Toronto. She has also showcased at Canadian Music Week each year since 2021.   Growing up, Jessica took piano and voice lessons and had an elementary school music teacher that saw her passion for music and encouraged her to explore it through school musical […]
February 2, 2024

In The Country with Dave Woods

SPOTLIGHT ON PAIGE RUTLEDGE My guest for this month’s column is Paige Rutledge! Paige got her first break on stage at The Moonshine Cafe at a very young age and continues to perform there to this day in songwriters rounds. Along with playing her original songs at the legendary Oakville venue, you’d be lucky to be there on the nights when she covers the Dolly classic “Jolene”. In July 2023, Paige performed at the iconic Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto and at Country On The Bay in Thunder Bay opening for Walker Hayes (“Fancy Like”) as well as Tim Hicks and Robyn Ottolini. She has already been announced as one of the performers for The Hollyrood Country Jamboree in July 2024 featuring headliners Tyler Joe Miller […]
February 2, 2024

In The News (February 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”. […]
February 2, 2024

Artist of the Month: Amanda Keeles / Artiste du mois : Amanda Keeles

  CMAOntario Artist of the Month: Amanda Keeles London, Ontario’s Amanda Keeles new album release and tour is counting down for the launch pad in February 2024. Considering that Amanda is a two­-time winner of The Canadian Open Singing/Songwriting Contest, her debut single, “Blame it on the Moonlight” (released January 30, 2023), peaked in the top 10 at #6 on the Canadian Country Indie Top 100 Chart and “My Heart Feels The Same Way Too” has accumulated over 73K streams since its release in May of 2023, her forthcoming album, titled “Can’t Stop Me Now”, sure sounds like a “Just try it” challenge! Growing up in a family of musicians, country music was part of the diet in her home, which prepared her for performing […]
February 2, 2024

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Terry Sumsion (1947-2011)

// by Larry Delaney // (#81 in the Ontario Country Music Pioneers Series) Country singer/songwriter/entertainer TERRY SUMSION was born February 7, 1947, in the Southwest Ontario town of Burford. He spent much of his early years driving trucks and buses, but that lifestyle changed dramatically in the late 1970s when he won the Male Vocalist category in the Canadian Open Singing Contest held in Simcoe, Ontario. In fact, he won the prestigious honour in three consecutive years, as well as the 1981 BX-93 (London) Country Roads Contest. By the early 1980s, after paying some early career dues as a member of the band Maple Creek, Terry was working club dates and festival events with his own back-up band, Stagecoach. He also launched his recording career […]
January 11, 2024

Artist of the Month: Mitch Jean / Artiste du mois : Mitch Jean

  En tant qu’artiste franco-ontarien originaire de Smooth Rock Falls, et maintenant établi à Cochrane, Mitch Jean fait de la musique avec de fortes racines. Depuis qu’il a pris la guitare pour la première fois à l’âge de douze ans, il a exploré de nombreux styles musicaux différents, mais a trouvé son son entre le country moderne et le rock. S’inspirant des légendes de la guitare des années 80 comme Def Leppard et du style d’écriture de chansons d’artistes country comme Eric Church, Mitch Jean s’est taillé une dimension musicale qui lui est propre. Que ce soit en solo ou full band, en français ou en anglais, l’artiste dynamique capte l’attention de son public grâce à son énergie débordante, faisant de chaque spectacle une expérience […]

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