Newsletter

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 […]

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

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 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)