Newsletter

Progress! “Progress” is forward or onward movement toward a destination. In 2017, the CMA Ontario continues to progress to provide our members and the Ontario country music community with incredible opportunities to connect, learn, expand and celebrate. The CMAO staff and Board of Directors have been hard at work programming and planning our biggest year ever. In 2017, the Country Music Association of Ontario will launch CMA Ontario RoundUp – four days of events taking place in London, Ontario, from June 7th to 11th. Here are the programming highlights: Thursday June 8: The Legacy Show at Purple Hill Country Hall Friday June 9: Celebrity Softball Game and concert at Labatt Field Saturday June 10 and Sunday June 11: Road to Independence conference at the Delta […]

Aspiring artists and songwriters… CMAOntario is presenting a daylong program of educational seminars for aspiring artists and songwriters in Ottawa, followed by a showcase of emerging Ontario artists. Hear expert panelists’ advice on how to develop an artist’s support team, imaging, marketing and branding tools to help you cut through the noise. You will also hear from experts in performance technique and songwriters who have written real hit songs. Registration for the RoadShow Ottawa is $25.00 for CMAOntario members and $30.00 for non-members – THIS INCLUDES LUNCH! Email info@cmaontario.ca with CMAOntario R2I Ottawa in the subject heading. WANT TO SHOWCASE?  CMAOntario members interested in showcasing at the RoadShow Ottawa now have until this Friday, February 10th to submit for a performance opportunity. To be eligible for consideration, you need to […]

(presented by thereviewsarein.com) Mississauga’s Alessia Cohle has been putting in work – and it’s paying off! The country songstress released her Talk To Me album in November 2016 and launched an East Coast tour on the strength of the first single, How Bad (track 1 on the album), before releasing the title track to radio in January 2017. Cohle helps to reinforce the city-girls-singing-country world that we live in. Even though she’s not a farm girl, her voice sounds as country as you could hope for – or would expect to hear on country radio – and the songs that she’s putting together could just as easily have come from a girl that lived in a one-stoplight town. There’s a pop influence, but the twang […]

Born: March 21, 1940 – Thessalon, ONTARIO Died: October 14, 2003 – Didsbury, Alberta (by Larry Delaney) Gary Buck was a leader on the Canadian country music scene as a “builder”, as well as a recording artist, songwriter and producer. His talents in all of these fields have been largely responsible for laying the groundwork and development of the Canadian country music industry. Gary Buck began his own music and recording career while based out of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and would soon become recognized for his work at the international level. As a recording artist, Gary Buck released albums on the Canatal, Tower, Sparton, Capitol, RCA Camden and his own Broadland Records labels. He charted more than 25 singles on the Canadian Country Hit […]

Catching Up with Jamie Warren Ontario country artist Jamie is a singer, songwriter, entertainer and a songwriting teacher. His hits on country radio over the years include “One Step Back”, “The Way Love Goes”, “Cried All The Way Home” and “Sunny Day In The Park”. Anyone who has been to a show of his will attest to the fact that you’ll get an equal dose of music and comedy. Fortunately for country music fans, Jamie is working on new music, to be released in 2017. In your teen years, you had dreams of playing hockey professionally in the NHL and then later you went to Conestoga College to learn radio. Eventually, you pursued your love of music instead. What was it about music that made […]

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Amanda Sadler! Kingston native, Amanda, talks about her start in music, and her unique contemporary-country sound. She talks about the release of her single, Drop The Needle Down, which she wrote in Nashville with Dwave Thomson and Patricia Conroy. Amanda also talks about the video for the song, and how to connect with her on social media. To find out more about Amanda Sadler, visit: www.amandasadler.com. For more on Country Music Junkies, visit: www.CountryMusicJunkies.com. Check out the exclusive interview with Amanda Sadler 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 […]

Cithara Guitars is a Custom Guitar Shop. Located on the mountain in Hamilton Ontario, forty-five minutes west of Toronto, they offer a full line of hand-crafted acoustic and electric guitars, and complete repair, setup and restoration services. Cithara is a certified Fender Warranty Shop, servicing all Fender, Squire, Gretsch, Jackson, Charvel, SWR and EVH products. They also provide warranty service for Guild and Cordoba Guitars. For all CMAO Members, Cithara Guitars is offering a 20% discount on all repair services. Contact them and learn more about Cithara at: citharaguitars.com

Congratulations again to all of the CMAO artists who had the opportunity to open for Brett Kissel through the Kick It With Kissel contest. Check out some of the live photos of their performances below. (photo credits: Aesthetic Magazine, Canadian Beats, Tourbus Entertainment, PNP Promotions)