Newsletter
August 29, 2016
// by Larry Delaney // Born: March 30, 1941 – Shelburne, Ontario Joe Firth was born in Shelburne, Ontario, and raised on his parent’s farm in Keldon. He began his music career in late 1960s, fronting the group Joe Firth & The Rockabillys, which also included his cousins Gord Henry and Grant Middaugh. The group soon underwent a name change to Joe Firth & The Country Gentlemen, and quickly became a mainstay on the Toronto country club circuit, working show dates at such notable venues as The Edison, The Horseshoe Tavern and The 300 Club. By the early 1970s, he formed the country band Joe Firth & The Promised Land, a group that would tour extensively in Ontario and across Canada, often sharing the stage with […]
August 9, 2016
A huge congratulations to all Ontario artists, bands, musicians, companies, and industry members up for nominations at the 2016 CCMA Awards. We couldn’t be more proud! Ali Raney Amanda Kingsland (CKBY FM) Antoine Moonen Barrytone Studios Boots & Bourbon Saloon Boots and Hearts Music Festival Brianne Deslippe (Universal Music Canada) Bronwin Parks (Feisty Creative) Canadian Country Spotlight Cold Creek County The Crazy Horse Stonegrill Steakhouse & Saloon Dayna Bourgoin (CKKL FM) Deric Ruttan Doug Elash Doug Johnson Ed “Pee Wee Charles” Ringwald The Field Jason Barry Jason Blaine Jimmy Boudreau Johnny Reid Kira Isabella Leah Daniels Mark Maryanovich MDM Recordings Inc. Meghan Patrick Mike Denney (MDM Recordings Inc) Open Road Recordings Inc. Patrick Duffy (Attention) Paul Ferguson (CHCQ FM) Revolution Recordings RGK Entertainment Group Inc. […]
July 5, 2016
// by Larry Delaney // Born : Merla Arlene West September 5, 1939 – Grafton (Cobourg), Ontario While working as a ticket agent (1961-67) for Air Canada at Toronto International Airport, and later for American Airlines, Merla West was also pursuing her love of singing country music, working the Toronto area country club scene with a variety of pick-up bands and adopting the stage name Honey West. The name was inspired by a successful Hollywood TV series in the late 1960s featuring the private-eye detective character, “Honey West”. By the late 1960s Honey West launched her recording career, cutting a series of albums for the Paragon Record label: “Meet Honey West”, “A Touch Of Honey” and “Sweet Dreams”. Her fourth album for the label, […]
May 10, 2016
// by Larry Delaney // Born: Harvey E. Bates – October 16, 1937 – Kirkland Lake, ONTARIO Died: January 8, 1997 – Ullswater (Bent River), ONTARIO Harvey “Smiley” Bates was one of Canada’s most popular country balladeers, yet one who has been least recognized by the Canadian country music industry at large. A diehard country traditionalist, Smiley Bates was influenced by the music of Hank Snow; and in fact, promoted his music career much in the same fashion as his idol by travelling to his shows hauling a trailer filled with his albums and cassettes – a hot commodity with his many fans. Smiley Bates came from a musical family, with his father and mother (Sidney and Pearl Bates), seven brothers and three sisters all […]
