Newsletter – Page 3 – Country Music Association of Ontario

January 31, 2025

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers(January):

ONTARIO’S COUNTRY PIONEERS: ED PRESTON (#90 in the Ontario’s Pioneers series) by Larry Delaney At 93-plus years of age, J. EDWARD PRESTON has the distinction of being the eldest living inductee of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame; being so honoured with his induction in 2003. Ed Preston was born February 7, 1931, in Hamilton. Music has always been a part of his life. As a 10-year-old, he was playing drums for the local Cadet group; and during his formative years, he performed all styles of music – Classical, Jazz, and Pop-flavoured material of the times. During the late 1940s, Ed ventured into radio show productions for local Hamilton radio stations – most notably producing the “What’s On Tapp” show, […]

January 31, 2025

Artist of the Month: Abby Stewart (January) / Artiste du mois: Abby Stewart

Artist of the Month: Abby Stewart By: Matt Ersnaught Let’s just open this file by doing a little name-dropping: Kelsea Ballerini, Hunter Hayes, Dan + Shay, Dean Brody, Dallas Smith, Jade Eagleson, Aaron Pritchett, Cold Creek County, Brett Kissel, Tebey, Michelle Wright, Emerson Drive, Tim Hicks… and the Kingston Frontenacs. Huh? Abby Stewart has opened for every one of those names above, with the exception of Kelsea Ballerini – that’s a little different connection. That’s because Abby’s single, “Love’s Gone”, was written by Ballerini (with Nancy Peacock and Brad Ellis). It’s logged over 31,000 YouTube views since its release a year ago. You might have seen her performing the tune onstage at events like Boots and Hearts, Havelock Country Jamboree, Ottawa Bluesfest, Trackside […]

January 31, 2025

In The Country with Dave Woods-January

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH DAVE WOODS: JADE HILTON My guest for this month’s column is Jade Hilton! I’ve been fortunate enough to have Jade perform at several of my writers rounds. She’s a dynamic entertainer & solid songwriter currently working on her debut country album with producer Doug Romanow. Jade performed during the CMAOntario Festival & Awards weekend in 2024, NXNE 2024, at the Underdog in Nashville, was the official anthem singer and a live performer at the National Bank Open in Toronto the past three years, and performed at Hotel X Toronto, Muskoka Music Festival, Sofar Sounds Toronto as well as multiple other venues in the city in the past year. Last year, she was named Songwriter Of The Year at the Mississauga Music […]

December 23, 2024

In The Country with Dave Woods-December

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH DAVE WOODS: DANI My guest for this month’s column is DANI! DANI is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter whose music is deeply rooted in her rich cultural heritage. She was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia, and raised in Mississauga. Music has been a central part of her life from an early age – starting with guitar lessons in church as a teenager and later performing with her high school a cappella group. Their success, winning first place at the Dufferin Peel Annual Music Week and advancing to regional competition finals, helped her develop an early passion for performance and songwriting. DANI’s musical journey took a pivotal turn while studying at the University of Edinburgh, where she rediscovered her love for storytelling through song. In […]

December 23, 2024

In The News (December 2024)

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”. […]

December 23, 2024

Artist of the Month: Cory Marks (December) / Artiste du mois: Cory Marks

Artist of the Month: Cory Marks By Alexa @alexascountryparty If you’re in North Bay and see a Cessna 150L or Yak-52 flying above… it might be country/rocker Cory Marks! When he’s not putting his private pilot license to use, or making music, you can catch him on the ice playing hockey. Fun fact: Marks (legally Marquardt) is the also younger brother of professional hockey player Matt! Unlike many artists, Marks hasn’t dreamt of a music career his whole life. It wasn’t until he was at a bar during his college years where friends encouraged him to sing for the first time publicly. Since then, he’s had the opportunity to tour with Toby Keith, Five Finger Death Punch, ZZ Top, Travis Tritt, and Brantley […]

December 23, 2024

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers(December):

ONTARIO’S COUNTRY PIONEERS: EARL HEYWOOD (#89 in the Ontario’s Pioneers series) by Larry Delaney The late Earl Heywood (1917-2006) was dubbed “Canada’s No. 1 Singing Cowboy”. He is remembered as a true “pioneer” in Canadian Country music – a songwriter and recording artist and a radio and television personality with the CKNX Barn Dance in Wingham, Ontario. Earl Carlyle Heywood was born March 12, 1917 on a farm near Exeter, Ontario. He joined CKNX in 1942 and remained with that station (and its later TV and radio affiliates) as a singer and an announcer for more than 40 years; performing for almost 20 years on the weekly CKNX Barn Dance, and serving during 1946-1953 as host of the “Serenade Ranch” program. During the […]

December 4, 2024

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers(November):

ONTARIO’S COUNTRY PIONEERS: THE POST FAMILY (#88 in the Ontario’s Pioneers series) by Larry Delaney They were billed as “The Singing Post Family”; an accurate description for the foursome based out of Carrying Place, a small community off the eastern shores of Lake Ontario, near Belleville. The “Family” consisted of patriarch Norm Post, his daughters Joanne and Debra (Debbie), and son Kenny… all of whom thrived in the family package show, performing Country and Gospel music and later, pursuing separate musical careers. The late Norm Post (1932-2019) was a gifted musician, singer and songwriter. Many of his songs graced their series of albums released during the 1970s, including such notable tunes as “My Prince Edward County Home”, “That Tragic Day”, “Just Me And […]

December 4, 2024

In The Country with Dave Woods-November

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH DAVE WOODS: Paige Rutledge My guest for this month’s column is Paige Rutledge! From her first single “Take Me Back To Tiki” in 2020 to the recent release of her debut EP Break Up Rules, Paige Rutledge has steadily made a name for herself on the country music scene in Ontario and beyond. Whether it’s playing full band shows at venues like the Stampede Ranch in Guelph and Big Texas in Niagara Falls – or country music festivals – or songwriter rounds, Paige shines with a genuine star quality and a love for what she’s doing. And in case you didn’t know, her sparkly guitar – which she designed herself – is named Dolly. One of Paige’s favourite songs to […]