Newsletter – Page 44 – Country Music Association of Ontario

July 10, 2017

Artist of the Month: Kris Barclay

Trading in a hockey stick for a guitar may not have been the plan when Kris Barclay was growing up in the suburbs outside of Toronto, but it has turned into a pretty good move for the country singer/songwriter. Barclay has been a busy dude in the last 18 months, working on a new EP that will showcase his singing and writing chops, and playing as many shows as there are stages across the province. We’ve had the chance to see a few of those live shows, and we can tell you this: he’s exactly where he should be when he’s up on stage with the band. As an entertainer, it’s clear that Kris Barclay knows what to do with a crowd. Whether he’s at […]

July 10, 2017

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Mickey McGivern

Born: December 13, 1931 – Pembroke, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Quite likely the “most heard” and “least credited” musician on the Canadian country music scene during the 1960’s-80’s was Pembroke, Ontario-born guitarist Mickey McGivern. His tasty guitar talents were featured on hundreds of albums released by the popular Canadian indie label Arc Records, but many of these releases were issued in an era when session musicians were not credited on the back cover liner notes. Mickey McGivern’s guitar work played a key role on Arc Records albums released by such Canadian artists as Dick Nolan, Jimmy James, Dusty King, Irwin Prescott, Freddy McKenna, etc.; as well as on Arc albums featuring Nashville artists Red Sovine, Donna Darlene, Ramblin’ Lou Shriver, etc. At the time, Mickey […]

July 10, 2017

In The Country with Dave Woods: One On One With Elyse Saunders

Tell us about your new recording “Rise” that you wrote with Daryl Scott & Kyle Renton. My talented co-writers Daryl Scott, Kyle Renton and I got together for a write and they approached me with the song idea of “Rise”, which was inspired by the incredible story of our Canadian Olympian and four-time Pan Am Medalist, Jessica Phoenix – a talented equestrian athlete, leading eventer. They had some strong lines, including one of my favourites – “Like a powerful phoenix, it’s your time to rise” – and I knew in that moment that it was a song we had to write together. At that point, I had heard Jessica’s name before, but didn’t know very much about her and found out she had a massive fall at […]

July 10, 2017

Patrice’s Pick: River Town Saints

This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music band, River Town Saints! After first interviewing the band two years ago at Peller Estates’ Wine Country Fare, Patrice catches up with Chris Labelle from RTS about the band’s highly anticipated self-titled debut album. Chris talks about what fans can expect from this upbeat album that features many high-energy songs, but also their new single which is a little softer sound for the band. The single, “Woke Up Like This,” takes a different approach – turning a one-night stand scenario into a love story. Chris also talks about the CMA Ontario Awards which took place in June in London, ON. The interview was recorded on the Friday, and the […]

July 10, 2017

In The News (July)

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. Voting Now Open for the Boots & Hearts Festival Emerging Artist Showcase Country music fans now have the opportunity to vote for the eighth and final semi-finalist to be featured in the Boots & Hearts Festival Emerging Artist Showcase. Seven semifinalists have already been selected including: Amanda Sadler, Jade Eagleson, Jason […]

June 7, 2017

A Message from the President (June 2017)

To all CMAOntario members, As we find ourselves days away from our 5th annual award show, I would like to thank each and every one of you for the support and dedication you have shown the Country Music Association of Ontario. Without your input and interest, this organization could and would not exist. You are the mighty ocean that keeps this vessel afloat. When I was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2008, it was with great pause and trepidation that I accepted the position offered by Barry Haugen, who would later become President of the newly christened ship “Ontario Country Music Association”. Those first few voyages were challenging but our captain led the way as we got our sea legs. Under Barry’s command, […]

June 7, 2017

Ben Hudson Announced as Finalist for 2017 CCMA Spotlight Performance

Congratulations to Ben Hudson on being selected as a finalist in the 2017 CCMA Spotlight Performance Contest. Ben was selected among numerous submissions to the CMAOntario to represent Ontario and the Association in the national competition. Voting is now open. To vote for Ben, click here to access the CCMA Spotlight Performance online voting poll. The finalist that receives the most votes on the poll by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, June 16, 2017 will win one performance spot during PotashCorp Country Music Week 2017. Only one (1) vote per IP address will register with the online polling system – so make your one (1) vote count!

June 7, 2017

Artist of the Month: Buck Twenty

All the way from Harrow, Ontario to the 2017 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards, Buck Twenty has been on one heck of a journey. Mike Ure and Aidan Johnson-Bujold’s up-and-coming country duo has worked hard to get to where they are now, playing showcases, acoustic sets, festivals, the Canadian National Exhibition, and more. Most recently, the boys have been seen in the spotlight playing both the CBC’s Easter Seals Telethon, and Canadian Country Music Week. At each stop reports have rolled in that Buck Twenty are well worth the price of admission, and on their way to being seen even more. And if you’re interested in seeing Mike and Aiden do their thing live, you’ll find them all over the province again this summer, […]

June 7, 2017

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: David Thompson

Born: April 4, 1950 – Kapuskasing, Ontario Died: November 9, 2010 – Aylmer, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) David Thompson’s career in the spotlight was relatively short, but quite productive. Born in the Northern Ontario town of Kapuskasing, the family moved to Detroit when he was 5 years old… and while there, he absorbed various styles of music. During his teenage years, he played with local bands. At age 20, he returned to his hometown in Ontario, where he further developed his songwriting skills and performed with various local bands, most notably, The Richard Gordon Trio. David Thompson’s songwriting talents took him to Thunder Bay, Ontario, in an effort to pitch his tunes and secure a recording contract. In 1977, he was signed to RCA Canada, […]