Newsletter

The 2017 CCMA Songwriters’ Series, as part of PotashCorp Country Music Week, will feature three sessions this year: Thursday, September 7; Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9. Each session will showcase eight (8) artists; four (4) of whom will be selected from submissions received, and four (4) of whom will be decided upon by a CCMA-appointed talent advisory committee. Submissions will be reviewed by an impartial industry-led jury and successful applicants will be notified of their opportunity to showcase as part of the event this spring. CLICK HERE for more information on the 2017 CCMA Songwriters’ Series and to apply. Deadline for submissions: Friday, February 24, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Congratulations to all of the acts selected to open for award winning country artist, Brett Kissel, on the Ontario leg of his upcoming tour. The winners were selected from close to 100 entries vying to perform with Kissel through the “Kick It With Kissel” contest supported by the CMAO. Participants were asked to record a video of themselves performing their favourite original, cover, or Kissel songs and to post it to social media using the “#KickItWithKissel” hashtag. The winners were chosen by a panel comprised of Country Music Association of Ontario board members, Invictus Entertainment, and Kissel himself. “The response to the contest was tremendous,” commented Kissel. “I wish I had room to add more talent.” The winners include: Kansas Stone January 12, 2017 Kiwanis […]

(presented by thereviewsarein.com) From an early age on the farm, Ben Hudson knew that music was going to be important in his life… and with a background in piano and guitar, Ben decided to take the leap and show the world that he had country music inside of him that needed to get out and be shared. 2016 was a big year for Hudson with the February release of his self-titled EP, shows on a heap of stages, a CMAO nomination for the Rising Star Award, and with the momentum that he built, it looks like 2017 will be another step in his country music career. In January of last year Ben was also tagged as CMT Canada’s Fresh Face Artist, giving him that shot […]

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO GORDIE TAPP (1922-2016) (by Larry Delaney)  Gordie Tapp, a legend in Canadian country music, even though he has had few record releases to speak of, passed away December 18, 2016, at his home in Burlington, Ontario. He was 94. Tapp, who was equally known as “Cousin Clem”, is best recognized worldwide for his comedy character skits performed on the long-running “Hee Haw” TV series taped in Nashville studios. Gordie Tapp was born June 4, 1922 in London, Ontario. His early years were spent as a member of the Main Street Jamboree, one of Canadian country’s most popular radio shows. He then moved on, becoming a regular on the CBC’s Country Hoedown show, which aired for 13 years before transitioning into The […]

Best of In The Country Columns 2016 The CMAO and the Ontario Country Music scene are stronger than ever. I can’t wait to see what 2017 holds for our established acts as well as the new voices ready to make their mark. It is my great pleasure to host my online radio show In The Country and to contribute monthly columns to the CMAO Newsletter. I hope you enjoy the following highlights from columns that were published in 2016. Brian Vain of Kansas Stone: What advice do you have for artists who are just beginning their journey? I always like to tell artists to “stick to your guns” if you want it bad enough. Some musicians treat music as a hobby. I have made music my life. I eat, breathe […]

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Ryan Laird! Ryan talks about his new single, Wear Me Out, and how his beautiful bride was the inspiration for the song. He also talks about his busy cross-Canada tour, and the amazing work he’s doing with #BiggerThanThat in Canadian schools. To find out more about Ryan Laird, visit: www.ryanlaird.com. For more on Country Music Junkies, visit www.CountryMusicJunkies.com. Check out the exclusive interview with Ryan Laird 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, […]