March 31, 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”. […]
March 27, 2020
Celebrating Ontario’s Country Music Industry March 27, 2020 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) has rescheduled the 2020 CMAOntario Awards for Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Centennial Hall in London. Presented by Slaight Music with support from Ontario Creates, the 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards will close out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend in London October 1 – 4, 2020, previously scheduled for May 28 – 31. Following the recommendations from government officials regarding COVID-19, CMAOntario took the steps to reschedule the festivities to ensure that the health and well-being of artists and audiences is protected. CMAOntario is committed to presenting and promoting the work of Ontario’s country music industry and looks forward to celebrating in the Fall. Nominees for the 2020 CMAOntario Awards will be announced this Spring. Performers will be announced in the coming weeks. […]
February 29, 2020
Stirling, ON, native Dustin Bird has built his road into the Canadian country music scene with hard work, great appearances, and solid songs. We first saw Dustin at the Boots & Hearts festival in 2018, when he earned his spot as a finalist in the Emerging Artist Showcase competition. It was a fantastic introduction to the young artist and one that put him on a lot of fans’ radars moving forward. Since then, Dustin Bird has released four singles: She Likes My Guitar, Wake Up, People, and his most recent release, Unscripted. Wake Up leads the way for Bird, piling up more than 125,000 Spotify streams. It’s a breakout achievement for the emerging artist and should be acknowledged and celebrated. The four songs have amassed […]
February 29, 2020
Born: Dec. 6, 1932 – Almonte (Clayton), Ontario Died: July 17, 2007 – Ashton, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Ottawa Valley country music performer Ron McMunn was dubbed “The Silver Fox” long before Nashville hit-maker Charlie Rich used the descriptive tag. McMunn has been acknowledged as a huge mentor and influence in the Ottawa Valley country music scene and for the artists who followed in his footsteps. He remains best recognized for his classic country songs, “Reserve Me A Table”, “Play Me One More Country Song”, “My Old Truck” and “This Bottle Filled With Wine” – all songs that he wrote. Ron McMunn was born December 6, 1932, on the family farm in Almonte, Ontario. He learned to play fiddle, harmonica and guitar during family gatherings, […]
February 29, 2020
Dave chats with Barrie’s John Anderson about his just released debut single “Grew Up On It”, songwriting with Jamie Warren and Beverley Mahood, how lessons in baseball can apply to success in a music career & more! 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.
February 29, 2020
This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Karli June! Karli talks about her brand new tune, “Say Too Much,” including the story behind the song! She also talks about her radio tour, and more of what’s to come in 2020! For more information about Country Music Junkies, visit www.countrymusicjunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview with Karli 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 […]
February 29, 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”. […]
January 29, 2020
Karli June introduced herself to the Canadian country music scene in 2016 when her singles, Black & White and Setting Me on Fire, were both distributed to radio. Now, she’s ready to kick off 2020 with the release of her newest song, Say Too Much, on January 24. Over the last five years, the Listowel, ON native has been putting in work playing shows with artists like Dierks Bentley, Jason Blaine, Brett Kissel and Terri Clark. But she was a performer even before that. Like many other artists, Karli started singing in the church choir and then moved on to local fairs and signing competitions. By the time she was a teenager, she was taking piano, taught herself how to play the guitar, and started […]
January 29, 2020
Born: 1947 – Gaspe, Quebec Hometown: Mattawa, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Country singer Julie Lynn was born Julia Catherine FLYNN, of Irish heritage, in the Gaspe region of Quebec. She later relocated to Fort Coulonge in Western Quebec, and by her late teens was making her home in Mattawa, Ontario, where she began pursuing her career in music; first, as a member of the group Pauline Noland & Her Jamboree Pals, and later (1966) forming her own Julie Lynn Showband. The group featured Julie, her brother Bobby Flynn, Pete McCormick and Gary Spicer; the latter going on to become a member of the award-winning Family Brown group. Julie began her recording career in 1970, with the release of her album “The Nickel Song” on the […]