Newsletter

Article By: Stephanie Brooks Country music has its original roots tied to the deep south of the States, where blues and folk combined in the 1920s to spawn a new genre of music that spoke to the lifestyle of its inhabitants. Various influences have since transformed what was previously known as country & western and honky tonk into today’s modern country, and formed what we now know as the world-renowned Music City in Nashville, Tennessee. But Canada is the world’s second biggest home of country music, and today is producing some of Music City’s top stars – many of whom come from Ontario. Culturally, the roots of country music in Canada are ingrained in the prairies and Atlantic provinces where rural lifestyles prevail and the […]

If you’re a Country Music Association of Ontario member, then by now you have heard about the upcoming CMAO Awards. Cool, right? Oh hell yeah! After years of hard work, it’s due time for our provinces’ finest to be honoured and no doubt, this will be a great show. Better than other shows? We’ll probably have a smaller budget than the Grammys had, but there are reasons that Country Awards shows at any level will indeed bring people to their feet. 7 reasons why? 1. At Country Music Award Shows, nobody would ever dream of crashing the stage during a presentation. 2. At Country Music Award Shows, a clean shirt & jeans meet all wardrobe requirements. 3. At Country Music Award Shows, nobody lip synchs […]

In the world of law, ‘music lawyers’ are a distinctive breed… especially lawyers who work with copyright law. Because in today’s hi-tech world of music delivery systems, they’re the ones who must constantly adapt, address and champion the protection of intellectual property. This month’s Behind the Board featured Board member is none other than the CMAO’s legal counsel and Secretary-Treasurer, Craig Parks. Craig has worked in just about every area of music law. From back in the days of visiting delinquent record labels in Montreal on behalf of the CMRRA and explaining how mechanical rights should work, to negotiating settlements on behalf of the uncredited songwriters of “Who Let The Dogs Out” and R. Kelly’s “Fiesta”! From being the first in-house counsel for PROCAN, (SOCAN’s […]

PRESS RELEASE (January, 2013) Larry Delaney, Editor/Publisher of Country Music News, which ceased publication in 2012 after serving the Canadian country music industry for the past 32 years, is now providing the Canadian country music industry with coverage in the U.K.-based monthly publication Country Music People. Delaney’s “CANCOUNTRY” report in the glossy, full-colour magazine will feature current news and coverage in support of Canadian country artists and industry. The column debuted in the January, 2013 issue of Country Music People and featured a historical overview of the Canadian country music scene as an introduction to the magazine’s readers. All Canadian artists, record labels, publicists, event promoters, etc. are urged to service Larry Delaney with new CD releases, Press Releases, tour schedules, etc. for inclusion in […]

A new permanent section in our Newsletter and on our website will list upcoming deadlines, providing you with information about what funding is available and when you need to submit your application. However, most agencies have a fiscal year which ends March 31st. Currently, most are in the process of setting their deadlines for the upcoming year. In the meantime, we have gathered some information that describes where you can apply to receive funding. We have also provided some information about their mandates. CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS The Canada Council for the Arts provides support for the development of individuals, groups, small ensembles, orchestras and other professionals working in the Canadian music community. In addition to tours, concert production and festival programming, the Music […]

The CMAO is happy and excited to present our nomination process (see the nomination process article). We hope all members and non-members will get the word out and help stimulate the nominations. Any member or non-member could submit a nomination, but the ultimate selection of the finalists will be in the hands of all voting CMAO members (those who are in good standing). Make sure your dues are up to date or join our organization to be eligible to be part of making history! If there are any questions related to the nomination process, please submit them to info@cmaontario.ca and someone will respond to your email. I would like to welcome Stephanie Brooks aboard the newsletter team. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from […]

The CMAO is pleased to present the information and criteria for our nomination process. Please be advised that the deadline for all nominations is February 28, 2013. Who can nominate an artist, group or company? Anyone, including non-CMAO members, can nominate an artist, group or company as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Ultimately, only CMAO members in good standing will have the ability to vote on the finalists through a balloting process. Does the artist, group or company have to be a member of the CMAO to get nominated? They don’t have to be a member to be nominated, but they need to be a member to be acknowledged as a finalist or to receive their award. How do I submit a nomination? […]

Over 4 years ago, back when the Country Music Association of Ontario was first forming, one of its founding directors was Peter Linseman. He served two years on the board and then decided to step down due to health reasons. Not his own, but to help a loved one. That kind of dedication and caring is one of the reasons we’re so pleased that he decided to run for the board again and was elected at the September 2012 AGM. We would like to welcome Peter Linseman back as a director of the CMAO. Spending over a decade as the owner of Music Mentor Productions, a CCMA nominated recording studio & Independent Record Label, Peter has worn every hat imaginable in the music industry. On […]

A new year often brings with it a host of new things. For some, it’s a fresh start. For others, it’s about minor changes to habits, mannerisms, or goals for work, love, and career. And to make these changes a reality, sometimes we find ourselves pausing to reflect on the year that just passed – the mistakes, achievements, trials and tribulations we endured – in order to move onward and upward. And when it comes to country music, the case is no different. From Ontario to across North America and around the world, 2012 saw a surge of country music talent – both new and old – lighting up studios, bars, radio stations, arenas, the media and popular culture. And if I can put forward […]