Newsletter

Attend the Country Music Association of Ontario’s upcoming Seminar and Demorama. Learn how to record, fund and promote your music project. Have your songs/recordings listened to by leaders of the industry. Saturday September 15th 10:00AM at Trebas Institute, 2340 Dundas Street West in Toronto. http://www.trebas.com/ If you sing, play music or write songs, do not miss this great opportunity to talk to industry experts. There’s limited seating so get your tickets today. Only $15 each, available online at cmaontario.ca

ArtsCan Circle is a charity that sends artists and musicians to work with at-risk indigenous youth in Canada’s North. ArtsCan’s programs depend on funding for art supplies and instruments, as well as transportation to the remote communities they visit.  Friends and supporters make this happen by direct donations and by organizing fund-raising concerts and activities. This summer and fall, they are organizing raffle and hope to count on your help. And you could win some great prizes. The raffle prizes include: • $1000 Gift Certificate for the 12th Fret Music Store in Toronto • A Paul Reed Smith Electric Guitar – value $700 • A Gibson Dobro – Hound Dog Model – value $500 • A solid mahogany soprano ukulele – value $300 • A […]

We at CMA Ontario are starting a new program featuring CMA Ontario members on our  website. If you’re a member in good standing, please send us a picture and brief Bio at: info@cmaontario.ca

LARGE FORMAT STUDIOS (over 250 sq. ft. live floor) BLUE BEAR SOUND www.bluebearsound.com Contact: Bruce Valeriani / studio@bluebearsound.com / 613.822.0726 CEDARTREE RECORDINGS STUDIO Contact: J Richard (Rick) Hutt / jrhutt@bellnet.ca / 519.748.5810 EMAC RECORDING STUDIOS www.emacstudios.com Contact: Rob Nation / info@emacstudios.com / 519.667.3622 HOWL STUDIO www.howlstudio.com Contact: David Falco / info@howlstudio.com / 905.257.2424 / 905.891.0336 VELVET SOUND STUDIOS www.velvetsoundstudios.com Contact: Mark McLay / worldrockschool@gmail.com / K.G. RECORDS HYPERLINK “http://www.kgrecords.com Contact: Kevin Gorman / HYPERLINK =mailto:Kevin@kgrecords.com”Kevin@kgrecords.com / 519.709.5384 SMALL FORMAT STUDIOS (under 250 sq. ft. live floor) STUDIO NOWHERE www.makeahitsong.com Contact: Glenn Talsky / glenn@makeahitsong.com / 416.266.3079

And The Award Goes To…….. Yes, the Board of Directors has been working diligently toward putting your inaugural awards show together for you.  It has been a long and difficult process to determine which awards we should give out in the first year.  We recognize that there are many additional awards to be considered for future years, but for our first show, we want the focus to be on providing as many performance opportunities as possible. I am pleased to announce that the following awards will be given out at the inaugural CMAO Awards (yet to be given an official name) at The Markham Theatre on May 28, 2013 are: Female Vocalist Male Vocalist Group or Duo Rising Star Single of the Year Songwriter of […]

  Sam Arraj came to the board of the CMA Ontario at precisely the right time. He’s a chartered accountant and we definitely needed someone to put  our finances in order and steer us toward financial stability. Originally from Lebanon, Sam and his family emigrated to Canada back in 1988 and he appreciates everything about being a Canadian and the opportunities it affords. As Sam says, “I believe I’m very lucky to be living in the best country in the world. My siblings and I have grown  up to love and appreciate this country, its history, and the sacrifices that were endured to give us our freedoms and rights.” He  wasn’t always an accountant. He was a baker, a factory worker, a door-to-door salesman and […]

Ontario based Alt./Country/Punk/Surf band The Sadies have scored another big gig. This time they’re the opening act for the Neil Young/ 20 Crazy Horse Tour’s seven Canadian dates this fall. Starting in Vancouver on November 11, they’ll also hit Calgary on the 13th, Saskatoon on the 14th, Winnipeg on the 16th, Toronto on the 19th, Montreal on the 23rd and finish up in Ottawa on November 24th. The first five dates also feature Los Lobos on the bill. The last two dates feature Patti Smith – definitely good company for these hard working musicians. Their most recent album, “Darker Circles”, was  shortlisted for a Polaris prize in 2011. The Sadies consist of twins Travis and Dallas Good on guitars, Mike Belitsky on drums and upright  […]

On Sunday June 24, from 2PM until 7PM, CCMA Hall of Fame member Marie  Bottrell, along with friends and family organized a benefit at the Paris Fairgrounds for 2 year old Kylie Hass. Kylie is the niece of Bottrell and her husband Ed Norris and was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She is undergoing aggressive chemo treatments (5 times what a child her age would normally receive, due to the fact that the leukemia was also attacking her central nervous system) at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Bottrell called on many area musicians and performers to help draw a crowd. Fellow Hall of Famers, Larry Mercey (who performed with his trio) and Michelle Wright (who couldn’t attend) signed a guitar that was auctioned off. And Grant […]

            This recent Canada Day long weekend, Dauphin, Manitoba held its annual Countryfest. Headliners like Reba, Zac Brown Band, Chris Cagle, Jimmy Rankin, Ronnie Dunn, Aaron Pritchett, Dallas Smith, Melanie Morgan Band, Bachman & Turner, Marlee Scott, Jerrod Neimann, Aaron Lines, Clayton Bellamy, Tara Oram and Justin Moore were just some of the acts performing there. Ontario was well represented, with acts like Mike Lynch, Ryan Laird, Joel Stewart, Charlie Major, Jack Marks and the Lost Wages, The Beauties, Who’s Army, Scarlett Jane, Wendell Ferguson and the Good Brothers. And Kim Mitchell – although he’s not technically a ‘country’ artist, a few of his songs could translate to country very easily. For a full list of performers visit: http://www.countryfest.ca/