Newsletter
August 29, 2019
August 29, 2019 (TORONTO) The CMAOntario Awards are heading back to southwestern Ontario as The Country Music Association of Ontario announced today that London will host the 2020 CMAOntario Festival and Awards, May 29-31, 2020. Presented by Slaight Music, the 8th annual CMAOntario Awards will cap off a weekend of festivities on Sunday, May 31, 2020 at Centennial Hall. This will mark the third time that London will host the event, with previous editions taking place in 2017 and 2018. With a thriving country music market and excellent track record of events, London offers tremendous opportunity to showcase and celebrate Ontario talent. “The support of our members, Ontario artists and fans is what keeps our Festival, Conference and Awards weekend evolving to greater heights. […]
July 29, 2019
A lot of people look forward to the summer months for many reasons, but in 2019 David Boyd Janes has his own reasons… and they’re big ones! The emerging country artist from big-city Toronto has a lot on the go this summer, with a busy tour schedule, new opportunities, and a chance to grow into a new stage of his career – highlighted by the Boothill Jamboree, Canadian National Exhibition’s Northern Comfort Saloon, the Havelock Jamboree, and the Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase. Those venues alone will put David in front of thousands of country fans. But before he gets to those stages, he has some celebrating to do. In Cobourg, ON at the Country Wild Music Festival, David Boyd Janes was named the […]
July 29, 2019
At the CMAOntario Festival & Awards in Ottawa, I had the opportunity to moderate a songwriting panel with Andrew Hyatt, Chris Buck and JT Harding. I invited JT on the podcast to chat about his massive songwriting success with artists including Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Blake Shelton. Tune in to hear the stories behind some #1 country songs on this latest episode of In The Country! 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.
July 29, 2019
“Canada’s Yodeling Sweetheart” Born: July 21, 1933 – Val Gagne, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Terry Parker is something of a “Mystery Lady” in Canadian country music. She earned the title of “Canada’s Yodeling Sweetheart,” and was the inspiration for many Canadian female vocalists that followed in her footsteps… yet very little is known about this talented country pioneer. Born Theresa Pacaud, July 21, 1933, in the small Ontario town of Val Gagne (near Timmins), she became “Terry Parker” when she launched her music career. One of Terry’s favourite artists at that time was Patsy Montana, fondly remembered for her yodeling singing style, and Terry began emulating her musical mentor’s vocal delivery. Terry began performing at various venues in Northern Ontario and eventually made her way […]
July 29, 2019
This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music band, Gentlemen of the Woods! Mario from Gentlemen of the Woods talks about the band’s start in country music, and the story behind their unique name. He also talks about their sophomore album, ‘This Great Unknown,’ and what stories fans can expect to hear on the 11-track project. For more information about Gentlemen of the Woods, click here: https://www.gotwband.com/. For more on Country Music Junkies, visit www.CountryMusicJunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview with Mario from Gentlemen of the Woods 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 the world. As a radio […]
July 29, 2019
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”. […]
June 17, 2019
The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) tonight celebrated the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry across 19 categories at the 7th Annual CMAOntario Awards in Southam Hall at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Meghan Patrick from Bowmanville, Ontario lead with five wins, followed by Tim Hicks and The Reklaws with two wins each. Hosted by Jason McCoy, the CMAOntario Awards included performances by Cold Creek County, Gabrielle Goulet, Jade Eagleson, Jason Blaine, Kira Isabella, Meghan Patrick, Ryan Langdon, Tebey, The Abrams, The Reklaws, The Washboard Union, The Western Swing Authority and Tim Hicks. Multi-award winning country vocal group The Good Brothers were also honoured with the Impact Award for their enduring and indelibly positive footprint on the landscape of country music […]
May 20, 2019
Alli Walker made Toronto her home when she was 19 years old and ready to chase her dream. And now, she’s starting to see more and more evidence of that dream coming true. The release of songs from her upcoming debut album, The Basement Sessions: What I’ve Learned So Far, has taken her to country radio, media outlets all over the landscape, and all signs point to more of the same coming in the near future. None of this happened overnight, of course. Like so many artists before her, Alli’s career is already hundreds of shows and songs deep, as she has worked to hone her craft and find her voice as an artist. The result of that work and exploration is what Alli Walker […]
May 20, 2019
Born: July 18, 1935 – Jansen, SK Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Dallas Leon Harms was born July 18, 1935, in Jansen, Saskatchewan, and moved to Hamilton, Ontario as a two-year old with his family. He began playing the local music scene in the mid-1950’s and was a frequent guest performer on the popular radio/TV series Main Street Jamboree. While working The Flamingo Club in Hamilton in 1957, Dallas met and performed with then-rising-star Conway Twitty, and helped introduce Ronnie “The Hawk” Hawkins to the local club scene. His friendship with Hawkins would later result in Dallas Harms paying tribute to the rocker with the song “Rockin’ The Hammer”; “The Hammer” referring to the steel-town of Hamilton. As a touring act, Dallas Harms […]