Newsletter
September 18, 2020
Aaron Allen has had a pretty good 2020 (all things considered) and it’s not over yet. This spring he released a new EP, Highway Mile, was named Apple Music’s New Artist of the Week, AND he earned two nominations for the 2020 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards where he is up for Rising Star and Male Artist of the Year. The London, ON singer-songwriter and tattoo artist knew in his teens that country music was where he wanted to go and what he wanted to do, but like many artists before him, it was a long and winding road. When asked about country music, what it means to him and what draws him into it, he says, “I’ve always loved how simple and direct […]
September 18, 2020
Dave catches up with rising country artist Elyse Saunders about her new single & music video “Free” and all the great strides she’s made this year in her music career! In The Country Radio Show · Interview With Elyse Saunders (July 2020) 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.
September 18, 2020
Born: May 22, 1960 – Kitchener, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Paul Weber was raised in a Kitchener, Ontario-based country music family. His father – Howard “Smoky” Weber – played in various local bands in Southwest Ontario, and his older brother Mike Weber was a gifted steel guitarist. In 1985, the Webers celebrated the family’s collective talents with a full-length album, “The Webers – Together.” In the mid-1970s, Paul Weber joined his brother Mike as a member of Joe Firth’s Promised Land band; a group that toured extensively across Canada. By the early 1980s, Paul Weber would strike out on his own as a solo artist, recording albums on the Boot and Great North American Phonodisc (GNAP) labels. Later CD albums were released on Cardinal […]
September 18, 2020
This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music band, Boots of Hazard! Patrice chats with Dennis from Boots of Hazard, who shares the story behind the band’s tune “Old Guitar,” and how they got their name! 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 the world. As a radio broadcaster with an inside view of the world of country music, Patrice currently works with radio stations across Ontario to bring listeners the newest of new country music. You can find out […]
September 18, 2020
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”. […]
September 14, 2020
THE 8TH ANNUAL CMAONTARIO AWARDS 1st Ever Live Drive-In Country Awards Show Releases New Block of Tickets PLUS Ryan Langdon Added to Line-Up September 14, 2020 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) today announced the release of a limited block of tickets for the 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards. The first ever, live drive-in country awards show will be taking place Sunday, October 4, 2020 on The Raceway at the Western Fair District in London, Ontario. The CMAOntario Awards, presented by Slaight Music with support from Ontario Creates, has also added Ryan Langdon, hot off the release of his debut EP Lit in the Sticks, to the roster of live performers. Tickets for the show are on sale now and are available online here. […]
August 28, 2020
Awards To Be Presented In A Drive-In Style Show At New Venue on the Raceway at Western Fair District August 28, 2020 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) today announces a new concept and location for the 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards, taking place Sunday, October 4, 2020 in London, Ontario. Presented by Slaight Music with support from Ontario Creates, the CMAOntario Awards will now be a drive-in style event on The Raceway at the Western Fair District featuring performances by Tim Hicks, James Barker Band, The Reklaws, Jade Eagleson, The Abrams, Eric Ethridge, Genevieve Fisher, Kelsi Mayne, Les Rats d’Swompe, Nicole Rayy, The Western Swing Authority, and special guest Kalsey Kulyk! “On behalf of the CMAOntario and its members, we’re thrilled that the […]
August 1, 2020
Kitchener, ON’s Josh David is ready to make his mark on the country music scene, and he’s making his first move with his debut single, Safe Place to Break. With more than 50,000 streams on Safe Place to Break, Josh came back with a little something special and released an acoustic version of the song to go alongside it. Both versions feature the emerging artist’s strong vocal talent and make for a great introduction to Canadian country music fans. Earlier this year, when asked about his sound and who he would put his own music on a playlist with, Josh mentioned Chris Young, Keith Whitley, Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton, and Hardy. And when we asked him who he would love to duet with, he said […]
August 1, 2020
Ontario’s Steven Lee Olsen’s latest single “Can’t Not” continues to climb at Canadian Country Radio. It’s the follow up to “Hello Country” which was the most added song at Canadian Country Radio when it was released. Since moving to Nashville in 2004, Steven has worked tirelessly, honing his craft as an artist and songwriter, and all the hard work has paid off impressively. He co-wrote Keith Urban’s double-platinum hit “Blue Ain’t Your Color” which in 2017 was named the NSAI Song of the Year and crowned Single of the Year at the CMA Awards, in addition to being nominated for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance at the 59th Grammy Awards, and Song of the Year at the ACM Awards. He also co-wrote […]