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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 […]

31 artists/groups submitted applications for the opportunity to secure a performance spot at Music In The Field festival, to be held August 22-23 in Lucknow, Ontario. Thanks to all applicants for your submissions. The CMAO is pleased to inform you an independent jury met and judged all the submissions and Emily Reid has been selected as the winning candidate. Her performance is scheduled for August 22nd. Emily Reid is a fresh-faced, country-folk artist with a sound rooted in her west coast upbringing, meshed with the soul and polish of Nashville. Components of Emily’s performances have drawn comparisons to several well-known artists, including: Kacey Musgrave’s writing, Emmy Lou Harris’ soul and Dolly Parton’s stamina. If you get a chance to attend the festival, watch for Emily […]

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music newcomer, Kaitlin Kozell. Kaitlin talks about her debut single, her experience singing the anthem at Toronto Maple Leaf games, and the music video that changed her life and career path. Kaitlin’s new single, “Up From Here,” is now available on iTunes. Check out the exclusive interview here! 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 the world of country music, Patrice currently works with radio stations across Ontario to bring listeners the newest of new country music. You can […]

Dear members: Wow! If you haven’t heard, we just completed our 2nd annual awards show. It was an incredible night hosted by one of Ontario’s finest, Jason McCoy. Jason Blaine kicked off the night with his performance of “Friends of Mine”, joined by Deric Ruttan, Jason McCoy and Tebey. Next up was the first of twelve awards of the evening, as winners “got the Boot” – we saw Deric Ruttan take home two Boots, and Tim Hicks, Tebey, Jordan Macintosh and Small Town Pistols receive their first awards ever. To finish it off, the Impact Award was handed off to the legendary Gordon Lightfoot. My favourite moments were in seeing artists receive their first awards ever. That particularly resonated with me, because it reinforced that […]

This month, we’re going to look at a man who has already achieved an unbelievable amount in the music business… and shows no signs of stopping. And to think his earliest job was detailing cars at a Calgary Chrysler dealership… Ah, where life can take you… Randy Stark was born in Edmonton, Alberta, the youngest of 4 children, and maintains they are all “much older” than himself. His Mom was a homemaker and his dad managed a bank for the Alberta Treasury. It seems all the Stark children went in totally different directions in life… one becoming an air force pilot (and now runs the simulator in Trenton); another brother is a Baptist Minister in Vancouver; and his sister is a retired Calgary schoolteacher. Randy, […]

By Stephanie Brooks At the 2010 Winter Olympics, you saw him and ice dance partner Tessa Virtue grab the gold and our hearts. Just a few short months ago, we rooted for this deserving duo once again as they competed for the top prize in ice dancing in Sochi. He and Tessa have been skating together for 17 years and are Olympic Gold and Silver medalists, two-time World Champions and six-time Canadian National Champions. As a talented, energetic skater with an outgoing attitude, Scott Moir has travelled the world representing Canada and performing for millions. But no matter where in the world he goes, country music helps keep him connected to his roots. Off the ice and podium, this Ontario native is a country boy […]

The 2nd Annual CMAO Awards Show once again took place in Markham, Ontario and sold out a few weeks ahead of this very special night. The importance of this event and the CMAO in general cannot be emphasized enough. The sense of community and support it provides for artists in this province is a valuable ingredient in those artists’ future success. And the night was not only enjoyed by artists and media, but also by enthusiastic fans. Jason McCoy did an excellent job as host – always funny and always able to deliver a country song in a first class way. The Western Swing Authority and Wendell Ferguson were once again the multi-talented house band. Country 107.3’s Randy Owen’s voice was perfect for the night’s […]