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”. […]
February 27, 2025

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers (February):

  ONTARIO’S COUNTRY PIONEERS: BRENT WILLIAMS (#91 in the Ontario’s Pioneers series) by Larry Delaney Singer/songwriter BRENT WILLIAMS was born (Levi Brenton Williams) March 25, 1940 in Hassett, NS. He continues to enjoy a lengthy career on the Canadian entertainment scene.  As a teenager Brent Williams performed and recorded in the duo “Brent & Harry” with friend, the late Harry Cromwell. During the early 1960’s they both performed with “The Beck Family” band; and went on as founding members of the Bluegrass band “The Birch Mountain Boys”. With group leader Vic Mullen, they became an in-demand act on the East Coast circuit, appearing on the famed Don Messer’s Jubilee show.   Later, Brent headed-up “The Maritime Playboys”. On the recording scene, Brent & Harry released […]
February 27, 2025

In The Country with Dave Woods-February

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH DAVE WOODS: RACHEL & AYDEN This month the spotlight is on Rachel & Ayden!   Rachel & Ayden are a power-duo established in February of 2022, located in the Greater Toronto Area, consisting of artists Rachel Jeans and Ayden Jacobs. Both experiencing a similar upraising, growing up playing music publicly from a young age, they instantly bonded over their love for music and shared background. Rachel competed and won both Toronto’s Rising Star and Open Mic Canada, granting her the opportunity to record her original music in studio at the age of 16. Ayden won the position of lead guitarist in The “Kid” Mitchell Band, which led to the opportunity of recording in studio, playing live on radio & a documentary […]
February 26, 2025

Artist of the Month: Brad James (February) / Artiste du mois: Brad James

Artist of the Month: Brad James If you like Keith Urban, Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley, Midland, and The Glorious Sons, you’ll like Brad James! Earning recognition for his authentic sound and relatable lyrics, the musician from Hamilton has steadily carving out a space for himself in the Canadian country music scene. From James’s previous release “Ain’t Enough Bars” (and social media posts!), it’s clear that he enjoys experimenting, by blending modern sounds with traditional elements. His style is an amalgamation of rock and country.  However, if you follow him on TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@bradjamesmusic) you’ll never know who’s song he might just do a cover of! Brad’s journey into country music is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep love for telling stories through song. A memorable […]
January 31, 2025

In The News (January 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”. […]