Newsletter – Page 21 – Country Music Association of Ontario

December 11, 2020

Artist of the Month: Jess and Tay

Toronto-based country duo Jess and Tay have been steadily working to build their country music career, step by step. And as a strange and challenging 2020 fades into 2021, there are more steps waiting for them to climb. We first saw Jess and Tay back in 2016, when they competed in the Emerging Artist Showcase at Boots & Hearts. In 2020, the duo was scheduled to hit the stage at Burl’s Creek again, but when the festival was postponed for the year because of the pandemic, they had to put that plan on pause. However, with the announcement of the 2021 B&H lineup, Jess and Tay are poised to return on Friday, August 6. While they may not have been able to tour as much […]

December 11, 2020

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Hugh Scott

Born: April 4, 1940 – Riceville, Ontario // by Larry Delaney // (#44 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) Hugh Scott is the epitome of the “hometown hero”… a singer, songwriter and performer who had the pure talent to become a huge star at the national level, but chose to stay close to home to pursue his music career. Born April 4, 1940, in the Eastern Ontario town of Riceville, Hugh Scott was raised in Ottawa and began playing the fiddle at age 5. By his mid-teens, he was playing in his first professional band, Smokey Rand & The Drifters, working shows at the popular Chamberland Hotel in nearby Aylmer, Quebec. Later, while heading-up his own group, The Meteors, Hugh generated a huge fan following with […]

December 11, 2020

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Dani Strong

Dave welcomes Dani Strong to the show to chat about her new album, Undefined, and to share some songs from it. She’ll also talk about Tom Petty, Shane & Stacey Lee Guse, “task writing”, music therapy & much more! In The Country Radio Show · Interview With Dani Strong (October 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.

December 11, 2020

Patrice’s Pick: Mike Robins

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Mike Robins! Mike Robins was formerly half of Autumn Hill and half of East Adelaide, but he’s now launched his own solo project! Mike talks about his decision to release music as a solo artist, as well as the swoon-worthy story behind his new SMASH “Lightning Don’t Strike Twice.” 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 […]

December 11, 2020

In The News (December 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”. […]

November 3, 2020

Artist of the Month: Owen Barney

Toronto born and raised, but still able to dive deep into a country feeling, Owen Barney is being recognized as an up-and-comer on the Canadian country music scene. The 19-year-old singer-songwriter recently released his second EP, No Road Too Long, with four tracks that show off his talent, potential, and personality. Owen Barney’s musical journey began at just seven years old when he started strumming a guitar and found influence and inspiration in superstars like Eric Church, Jason Aldean, and Steve Earle. In his early teens, he started playing shows and growing his skills on stage, and from there he has covered a lot of ground. Owen hit our radar hard in 2019 with his EP Home, and we had the chance to see him […]

November 3, 2020

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Marie Bottrell

Born: January 16, 1961 – London, Ontario // by Larry Delaney // (#43 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) Marie Bottrell has been writing songs and singing since her pre-teen years. After performing in her family group (Whitestone Bridge) and singing at dances and Legion Halls in her hometown of London, Ontario, Marie was signed to The Mercey Brothers’ MBS Records label in 1978. She pursued a solo career, releasing two albums on MBS and an additional three albums after being signed to RCA Records. Many of the songs on these albums were original songs written by Bottrell. Her debut “Just Reach Out And Touch Me” album featured four songs, which she composed, including the title track, which became the first of her twenty nationally-charted hit […]

November 3, 2020

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Brian John Harwood

Dave welcomes Barrie’s Brian John Harwood to the podcast to chat about his new single & music video, “All That I Was Missing”, written as a proposal to his girlfriend. Brian is releasing singles as a solo artist while continuing to release new Kansas Stone material with Matt Davey. Also on the show, we’ll hear Brian’s summer anthem “Hotter Than Summer.” In The Country Radio Show · Interview With Brian John Harwood (October 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.

November 3, 2020

Patrice’s Pick: Ryan Laird

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Ryan Laird! Ryan shares the story behind his new tune “Make It Work,” the upcoming music video for the tune and what fans can expect to hear next! 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 more about […]