October 20, 2017

Artist of the Month: The Redhill Valleys

The Redhill Valleys may not be a household name yet, but the Hamilton, Ontario-based trio are earning their reputation as talented entertainers with every song and show they play. Danielle Beaudin, Tim Allard, and Chelsea McWilliams create a tight sound, merging their instruments to create the music that forms a backdrop for their harmonies – harmonies that are the backbone of the band and, from song to song, make us want more. This summer, we were introduced to The Redhill Valleys as they competed in the Emerging Artist Showcase at Boots & Hearts. The band took to the main stage and performed for the crowds on Thursday and again in the finals, finishing second in the competition. In both performances, the band proved that they […]
October 20, 2017

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Orval Prophet

Born: August 31, 1922 – Edwards, Ontario Died: January 4, 1984 – Ottawa, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Orval Prophet was affectionately dubbed “The Canadian Plowboy”, reflecting his Ottawa Valley farm-life upbringing and his musical roots. Orval originally performed as part of the Ottawa Valley groups Fiddler’s Fling and Mac Beattie & His Melodiers. Following his early success with his Decca recordings, Orval “Rex” Prophet toured across Canada with both Wilf Carter and Johnny Cash. During his heyday, Orval Prophet’s live performances were typically filled with a touch of showmanship rarely seen with country music performers of the day… Orval would work a room using a 50-foot microphone cord, throwing one arm in the air, and shaking hands with patrons as he walked among his audience, […]
October 20, 2017

MusicOntario & Rogers Hometown Hockey Looking for 2017-2018 Tour Stop Performers

The Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour is proud to announce that Season 4 will roll into 24 communities across Canada this season with a weekend of free outdoor hockey festivities for all ages. Each tour stop is full of activities, prizes, giveaways and great live music from local bands all culminating in an outdoor viewing party of an NHL game broadcast live every Sunday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW. Ron MacLean and Tara Slone host live on site from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio. For more information on the tour stops, please follow Rogers Hometown Hockey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MusicOntario is pleased to assist in the search for local artists and bands to perform at each tour stop! Are you from one of the following […]
October 20, 2017

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Alessia Cohle

Tell us about your new single “Wanderlust”, which you co-wrote with your producer Doug Romanow and Jane Bach. It’s not a typical country song. There are influences of soul and R&B with country roots. It’s a song about a sense of freedom, travel and a desire to explore. I hope “Wanderlust” inspires listeners to do just that – explore! And I hope they dance and groove to the song while doing so! When we went to write this song, I expressed to my co-writers that I was looking for a song that grooves, that’s fun, and expresses my love of exploring. At the time, the screensaver on my phone was a quote that said “Wanderlust: the desire and longing to travel and roam about”, so […]
October 20, 2017

Patrice’s Pick: Ty Baynton

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Ty Baynton! Waterdown, ON, native Ty Baynton talks about his new single, “I’ll Never Know”, which dropped at the end of August. He talks about his experience writing the song with Jordan from Cold Creek County, along with the story behind the song. Ty has had the opportunity to open for Blake Shelton, Tim Hicks and Chad Brownlee, and he shares with us some of the advice these country greats have passed along. For more information about Ty Baynton, or to check out his new single, click here: https://www.tybaynton.com/. For more on Country Music Junkies, visit www.CountryMusicJunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview with Ty Baynton below: About Patrice: To Patrice Whiffen, country […]
October 20, 2017

In The News (October)

This section of the newsletter is comprised of news stories, press releases and links to Internet articles that are sent in by our members who believe they will be of general interest to the membership.  We include them as a courtesy to our members but do not verify or edit their content.  Their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by the CMAOntario nor do their contents reflect the views or opinions of the CMAOntario. SING OUT FOR CHEO! Fundraising Event On October 21, 2017, Danny Sylvestre, in partnership with Tim Tierney, Ottawa Councillor, Country 101 our exclusive radio partner and with the help of a fantastic team of devoted volunteers and local sponsors, will join River Town Saints, Danny Sylvestre, John Allaire and Sandi Skye […]
September 19, 2017

A Message from the President (September 2017)

Most of the CMAOntario Board of Directors and many of our members attended the 2017 CCMA Country Music Week held in Saskatoon this past week. The weekend was full of great events and performances. Highlights included the opening reception and Discovery Showcase (with Danielle Bourjeaurd, Jesse Gold, Steph La Rochelle and special guest Eric Ethridge) and the songwriting sessions, which featured a number of our own: Andrew Hyatt, Jason Blaine, The Lovelocks, Patrick Ballantyne, Buck Twenty, Deric Ruttan, James Barker (James Barker Band), Gavin Slate, David Leask and Jessica Mitchell. Another sold-out Legends show, hosted by Deric Ruttan and Cal Gratton, blew everyone away with stand-out performances. The CCMA Industry Lunch and Awards honoured Ontarians Paul Ferguson, CHCQ-FM, Belleville with Music Director of the Year […]
September 19, 2017

Artist of the Month: Ty Baynton

Ty Baynton is a small town Ontario boy, growing up an hour outside of downtown Toronto in Waterdown, but that hasn’t stopped him from making it to the big city and beyond with his own country music. The first time we saw Baynton live on stage was at the Boots & Hearts Music Festival as a finalist in the 2014 Emerging Artist Showcase. In the three years since, we’ve had the chance to see Baynton grow as an artist, a performer, and we’ve had the chance to catch up with him at the jewel of Canadian country at Canadian Country Music Week 2016 in London. Baynton counts Randy Travis as one of his earliest influences. When we spoke with him at the CCMAs, he told […]
September 19, 2017

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Bob King

Born: January 6, 1934 – Joyceville, Ontario Died: January 20, 1989 – Ottawa, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Bob King was one of Canada’s first country stars to earn recognition beyond our national borders. Raised in the Ottawa Valley, Bob King headed up his first band, The Country Cousins, at age 14, playing area talent contests. At age 16, he became a solo artist, beating out another Ottawa youngster, Paul Anka, in a talent show. Soon afterwards, Bob King joined on as a member of the popular traditional country group, Mac Beattie & The Ottawa Valley Melodiers. In 1954, at age 20, Bob King was signed to a solo recording contract with RCA Victor. His debut single, “Laurel Lee”, became an instant hit, selling a reported 50,000 […]

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