Newsletter

By Stephanie Brooks Ontario is home to one of Canada’s largest outdoor music festivals – Ottawa’s annual Bluesfest – and this year, on its 20th anniversary, country music felt at home. The 10-day-long outdoor music festival is held at Lebreton Flats, where fans of all kinds can sneak evening views of the light shining from Parliament Hill and feel refreshing, cool breezes blowing off the nearby Ottawa River. For a festival that prides itself on being about more than just blues, it certainly delivered on that promise this year – with a diverse range of music and people who came out to enjoy it. Sure, it brought rhythm. It brought the blues. And it also brought country. Lots of it. Set in the nation’s capital, […]

There are going to be a lot of good things happening for many of our CMAO members at Country Music Week in Edmonton this September – showcase opportunities, performances, awards nominations and more. Deane Cameron will be receiving the 2014 Hank Smith Award of Excellence to add to his Order of Canada and his Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award. Wendell Ferguson will be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (Artist) along with Ron Sakamoto (Builder). Beverley Mahood is being presented with the Slaight Music Humanitarian Award. Leah Daniels has won the CCMA Spotlight Contest. Both Nicole Scott and the Lovelocks have been chosen for the Project Discovery Showcases, Runaway Angel (Cadence Grace, Ann Chaplin and Stacey Zegers) have won a performance slot […]

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music newcomer, Emily Reid! Emily’s songwriting and southern soul vocals provide a unique indie-country sound. As the sole composer of the songs she records, Emily expresses her own stories through her music. Her powerful three-song EP, “Drifter,” is available now on iTunes. Emily will also be representing the CMAO on the CMAO Side Stage at Lucknow’s Music In The Fields coming up on August 22, 2014. Check out the exclusive interview here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHB8gp2pUoE 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 […]

Dear members: I want to congratulate the CMAO’s own Wendell Ferguson on his induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame! He is a valuable member and Director of the CMAO and has been an irreplaceable asset to the organization. He has played key roles for the CMAO by producing the monthly newsletters and by producing our key live events; including our first CMAO Performance Opportunity at in 2011 at Country Music Week and our two CMAO Awards shows. People say that if he wasn’t great at playing the guitar, he would have been a great comedian. Luckily he chose to play music, because he would have starved as a comedian…! As a reminder, the AGM is going to take place on Monday, July […]

Behind the Board will return next month. However YOU could be featured in Behind the Board in a future issue! If you think you can bring your skill set to the table and want to have a say in the country music industry here in Ontario all you have to do is run for the CMAO board. Come to the AGM on Monday July 14 at the North York Civic Centre, Members Lounge, 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto, 7:00-9:00PM. If you wish to register to run, you can do so onsite. Be prepared to give a 2-3 minute address to the assembled members, outlining why you would be a valuable Director. If you can’t attend be sure and get your vote in via proxy. For information […]

The Board of Directors of the CMAO was proud to learn that fellow Director Wendell Ferguson is to be inducted into the CCMA Hall of Fame in September 2014. He has served on the CMAO Board for three years and has proven to be a tireless contributor to the organization. His commitment to the country music industry is well known and he is respected by all. He is the epitome of a team player. A true behind-the-scenes dynamo, Wendell Ferguson is known just as well for his wit and humour as he is for his unparalleled instrumental capabilities. A Juno-nominated performer, Ferguson is also a multiple CCMA Award nominee, has won the CCMA All Star Band’s Guitarist Award six times, and served on the CCMA […]

Artist Spotlight: Dave Woods interviews Beverley Mahood Beverley Mahood is more than a triple threat. She’s a successful singer, songwriter, actress, model, and television host. Right from her debut on the country music scene in 1998 with her award-winning album Girl Out Of The Ordinary, it was clear that this talented artist was here to stay. She’s gone on to have her songs & videos climb to the top of the charts consistently. Beverley isn’t just dedicated to her music, she’s dedicated to giving back to her community through her involvement with several charitable organizations. Last year’s “Hope and Gasoline” – written by Beverley, Patricia Conroy & Danick Dupelle – was a big hit with radio, CMT and country fans. Now, Beverley has a brand […]

Excerpt #11 from “Winning The Music Game” by Brian Allen Artists and business people think differently, but they commonly express frustration that the other doesn’t think and act like them. All too often, this frustration and refusal to accept the differences morphs into full-blown arguments. Consider this metaphor: “Artists think in blobs and squiggles and business people think in lines and squares.” To be effective creatively, many artists must allow their minds to wander to find and develop unique ideas. Their thinking follows a more abstract path. Rules and boundaries are structures that can cripple the creative process before it gets enough spiritual momentum to be called “inspired”. That’s not to say that creative types aren’t or can’t be structural business thinkers as well. Go […]