April 22, 2025

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers (April):

  ONTARIO’S COUNTRY PIONEERS: MAC BEATTIE (#93 in the Ontario’s Pioneers series) by Larry Delaney   The late John McNab (Mac) Beattie was born December 21, 1916, in Arnprior, Ontario. Like many young Canucks, he spent his early years playing hockey, which took him to the west coast, where he was the goaltender for the Nanaimo Clippers. In the early 1930s, after returning to his Ontario homestead, Mac Beattie turned his talents to music, forming the first edition of “The Melodiers” with Gaetan Fairfield, Horace Blanchette, Mervyn Leitch and Harold Mosley; with Mac leading the group vocally and with his soon-to-be signature “washboard” music. Thanks to a weekly radio show initially aired out of Pembroke, Ontario, their music was being heard throughout the Ottawa Valley […]
April 22, 2025

Artist of the Month: Sugar Crush / Artiste du mois: Sugar Crush

  Artist of the Month: Sugar Crush From the very first ukulele notes, the tone is set: it’s impossible to stay still when Sugar Crush takes the stage. Their infectious energy, sweet harmonies, and festive vibe turn every performance into a true country party. It’s this unique blend of passion and connection with the audience that makes them so irresistible. Comprised of Joanie Charron and Marie-Soleil Provost, Sugar Crush has made a bold mark on the francophone country scene. Since winning the Fans’ Choice Award at the 2022 Gala Country, held at the Festival Western de St-Tite, and earning a nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, the duo has captured the hearts of fans with their colorful and upbeat style. Their latest EP, PAUSE […]
April 22, 2025

In The News (April 2025)

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 submitted online here:   https://cmaontario.ca/submit/ The deadline for submissions is the 20th of each month. ** […]
March 20, 2025

In the Country with Dave Woods (March):

IN THE COUNTRY WITH DAVE WOODS – SPOTLIGHT ON TIM ALBERTSON Born and raised in the small town of Hurkett, Ontario, Tim Albertson is a “small town boy with stadium like sound”! His powerful vocals and party-like nature creates an event that continues to be talked about long after the lights go down. “My whole life has led up to these moments, I remember standing at my family home, on the big industrial gutters, dreaming of it as a stage, and the field as the crowd. When I hit that stage, and I see that crowd, it’s like electricity courses through me and I let the whole venue feel it.” Welcome to the spotlight, Tim! Your next single “Do What You Do” drops on March […]
March 19, 2025

2025 CMAOntario Awards On Sale

THE CMAONTARIO AWARDS RETURN TO HAMILTON IN 2025 HAMILTON, ON – The Country Music Association of Ontario announced today that Hamilton will be the host city of the 2025 CMAOntario Festival and Awards, presented by Cowbell Brewing Co., from May 30-June 1, 2025. With a legendary music scene and thriving country roots, Hamilton offers the perfect stomping grounds to showcase and celebrate Ontario’s country music talent. This will mark the third time that Hamilton will host the event, with previous editions taking place in 2021 and 2023. The 13th annual CMAOntario Awards will cap off a weekend of festivities on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at The Music Hall. Country music fans will have the opportunity to celebrate their favourite country artists and experience up-close interactive […]
March 18, 2025

In The News (March 2025)

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 18, 2025

Artist of the Month: Amber-Jo Bowman / Artiste du mois: Amber-Jo Bowman

  Artist of the Month: Amber-Jo Bowman Amber-Jo Bowman is a captivating emerging Canadian country singer-songwriter based just north of Stouffville, Ontario. Her latest single “Still Got Time” is available now. The single has received editorial support from Amazon Music, including features on Breakthrough Country and Just North of Nashville, along with Spotify’s Fresh Finds Canada. It’s currently also spinning on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country Radio. “Still Got Time”, the reminder that your timeline is up to you and no one else, follows the summer release “Mad About You”, a whimsical love song about falling hard. Her musical narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a family farm where her early love for singing, hearing her dad harmonizing along with the radio, and self-taught guitar […]
March 18, 2025

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers (March):

  ONTARIO’S COUNTRY PIONEERS: PAUL GURRY (#92 in the Ontario’s Pioneers series) by Larry Delaney   The late PAUL GURRY was born October 5, 1943 in Cobourg, Ontario. He was a masterful guitar player, a gifted songwriter, and a stylish vocalist. As a much in-demand guitarist/performer Paul Gurry first played with the Peterborough-based group Davey Gibbs & His Country Hoppers, appearing on their pair of RCA Camden albums, with his guitar work and solo song entries. He later joined on with the Montreal-based groups Dougie Trineer & The Hackamores, and the Dusty King & His Country Kats band. After settling in Ottawa in the early 1980s Paul Gurry continued to perform with several Ottawa Valley groups headed-up by Ron McMunn (and “Carbine”), Chris McCann (and […]
February 27, 2025

In The News (February 2025)

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”. […]