Newsletter – Page 37 – Country Music Association of Ontario

January 8, 2014

The Power of a Song

IN THE COUNTRY WITH DAVE WOODS Country music can make us feel empowered. Feel inspired. Feel comforted. Indeed, Country music can make us feel. Some would say it’s the genre’s greatest strength. Look no further than the lyrics of Michelle Wright’s recent single Strong for evidence of this. She’s strong as steel, forged in the fire, fighting through the scared and the tired, set on moving on. Strong enough to bend but never breaking, strong in the face of the battle raging, till all the weak is gone, she’s strong. Just imagine the many listeners who have embraced this song as an anthem and felt strengthened by its message. I asked several Ontario Country artists (Riki Knox, Tianna Woods, Elyse Saunders, Cory Marquardt & Brea […]

January 8, 2014

Behind The Board : Jane Harbury

Jane Harbury is one of the top publicists in this country. With a client list that reads like a who’s who in the international music business, Jane has been at her work for more than 40 years. She slaves away for her clients to make sure their latest release, their new video, their award nomination, their story … gets out to the public. Her job … to promote, publicize, and sing the virtues of each client. To do a job like that you have to believe in your clients. As Jane repeatedly states, “They’re not ‘acts’. It’s not ‘product’. It’s artists and music!”. In fact, Jane feels the best piece of advice she ever got was “Believe in what and who you work with. And […]

January 8, 2014

CANADIAN ARTISTS IN THE U.S.A

As your career grows and you start venturing to the USA for opportunities, you have to be aware of various items relating to the US tax system. I will cover two key items that artists should be aware of. If you are considering immigrating to the USA, the subjects covered in this article do not apply. The subjects in this article only relates to Canadian residents traveling to the U.S. for opportunities. The first thing you must be aware of is that Canadian artists who have booked performances down in the US are subject to 30% withholding tax on your gross income. The implication of this could leave you in a negative cash position after deducting all your expenses relating to the trip. In […]

January 8, 2014

6 Tips For Your Best Music Year Ever

by Stephanie Brooks With the ushering in of a new year, many people look to the time as a fresh start – a chance to reflect upon the previous one and plan for the upcoming. Many vow to change their health habits in January, while others focus on their relationships or attempt to learn a new skill. So what better time to embrace positive change for your music? If what you were doing for your music career wasn’t working last year, now’s the time to revamp it. And goal setting is where the transition from dreams to reality starts. From small-scale – like learning to tune your own instruments – to life-altering — like moving your family to Nashville to pursue a record deal – […]

January 8, 2014

Patrice’s Pick

by Patrice Whiffen This month our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies is with Ontario’s own Kerosene Creek. Nominated for a CMAO Award last year, this group has built its brand playing a jam-packed schedule of cover shows featuring both a male and female lead vocalist. Through hard work on the stage they’ve grown their fan base and exposure, and last year they released their first original radio single as a group – “Girls Get In Free”. Watch to learn more!

January 8, 2014

DemoRama Live in Tillsonburg!

GREAT performance opportunity for singer/songwriters, up & coming artists and established artists…with great prizes too! The next DemoRama LIVE will be in Tillsonburg (my back still hurts…) with sponsoring radio station Country 107 and host venue My Bar & Grill on Sun. Feb 2nd at 1pm, Our Special Guest & Expert Panelist is Rob Kirkham & Neon Rain. Other Expert Panelists include Country 107.3’s Randy Owen, CMAO Executive Director, Bruce Good from the Good Brothers and hosted by CMAO Director, Peter Linseman. The CMAO want to wish you a prosperous and preposterous New Year and we’d like to tell you in person; so the DemoRama LIVE hits the road running in 2014 with another 3 or 4 destinations before the CMAO 2014 Award Show in May 2014! Although the dates have not […]

January 8, 2014

In The News

Travis Mealing put together his annual top ten list of names in the news from Simcoe Country. Making the list were both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, (Gerry Marshall and Stephan Kramp respectively), Adam Dixon, a local hockey hero, and several others in sports, modeling and film making. Also making Mealing’s list was country music singer Amy Rose. To quote the Mirror; “The past year was a significant one for the Midland singer, who was nominated for the Rising Star award at the inaugural Country Music Association of Ontario awards. She topped that by receiving the Independent Country Music Association award as top emerging artist, and the country entertainer-of-the-year award at the inaugural International Music and Entertainment Association awards. In another career highlight, Rose opened […]

January 8, 2014

CMAO Seminar in Barrie featuring Michelle Wright

Set Saturday January 25 aside in your calendar if you want to learn how to turn a talent into a career. Canada’s own Michelle Wright will be our featured guest. Michelle who performed on our inaugural awards show last May and who recently released the single ‘Strong” off her album of the same name, will be in Ontario doing charity work for World Vision Canada. Michelle is their honourary spokesperson of that organization. Michelle has always been one who gives back and she has graciously agreed to take part in our January Seminar to be held in Barrie at the Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery, 107 Dunlop Street East. You’ll soon hear the announcements on our presenting radio station (CICX) KICX-106 radio and if you’re a […]

December 9, 2013

A Message From the President by Sam Arraj

Dear members: The CMAO is pleased and honoured to have Slaight Music on board for the second straight year as the CMAO awards presenting sponsor. Their leadership and commitment to the country music community is instrumental in the successes of the CMAO awards show and many country music artists. As a reminder, the 2014 CMAO awards show will be held on May 26, 2014 at the Markham Theatre. The event will be spectacular and extremely entertaining. Tickets are now on sale; visit www.cmaontario.ca for details. It is important that the country music community continues to support this event, so if you don’t have time to attend, share the news with your friends and family. With Ontario’s ever-changing economy due to globalization, the arts are playing a […]