Newsletter – Page 44 – Country Music Association of Ontario

March 19, 2013

Message from the President

Dear Members: I want to thank all who submitted nominations and congratulate all those who made it to the first ballot; the response has been spectacular. Please note that the balloting committee worked hard to sort through hundreds of nominations and put in many hours to verify and compile the list. The first ballot returns were due by March 18, 2013. For all of you who made the first ballot and did not garner enough votes to make the second ballot, please take pride in your accomplishments and keep following your hearts. There are going to be some disappointed members, but do understand that we have maintained an independent and fair process in all of this; I recommend that all of the artists who were […]

March 19, 2013

CMAO Awards! More Performers Confirmed!

The CMAO are proud and honoured to welcome Slaight Communication Inc. aboard as the presenting sponsor of the inaugural CMAO Awards Show! https://cmaontario.ca/ In addition to Charlie Major and The Western Swing Authority, the CMAO are pleased to announce confirmed performances by Kira Isabella and The Heartbroken for the Awards Show. The event will take place at The Markham Theatre, in Markham, Ontario on Monday, May 27th. Tickets are now available online at www.ticketbreak.com or by phone at 1-866 943 8849. More performances to be announced.

March 19, 2013

Loud Cheers for Blood, Sweat and Beers: The Chief Rocks Ottawa – By Stephanie Brooks

What better way to warm up a frostbitten city in the dead of winter than with some steel guitars, bursts of flames, gunshots and 20,000 screaming fans? The Eric Church Blood, Sweat and Beers tour, celebrating his most recent album, Chief, delivered all that and more to Ottawa’s country-rock fans at Scotiabank Place on Saturday, February 16. Known for his bad-boy attitude and badass vibe, Church brought in a rowdy crowd of fans of all ages, but a more mature fan base (at least age-wise) than many other touring country shows these days. In what appeared to be a sold-out stadium, the three-hour show started with former professional golfer from Athens, Georgia, Colt Ford. Ford set the stage for the concert with his patriotic lyrics […]

March 19, 2013

Maddy Rodriguez to play the Bluebird

Maddy Rodriguez is thrilled that she’s going to be gracing the stage of the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville this May 9th. This famed venue has become a Mecca for songwriters, and hosts early and late rounds almost every night of the week. Definitely a feather in young Maddy’s cap. Maddy received an honourable mention in the USA Songwriting Competition for her tune, “Falling Up”. Along with the other winners, she will be sharing the Bluebird stage with another Canadian, Edmonton’s Ben Sures, who also received an honourable mention. “Falling Up” is coincidentally also the title of a Shel Silverstein book. (Shel was an author/songwriter who wrote “Cover of the Rolling Stone”, A Boy Named Sue”, “Wasn’t That a Party” and “The Unicorn” among many others.) […]

February 15, 2013

Message from the President, February 2013

The CMAO is buzzing with activity as we head towards the inaugural CMAO Awards. Since opening up the nominations in mid January, the response has been very encouraging. I had the opportunity to have discussions with some of the artists enquiring about nomination, and I’m very impressed with the variety and talent level that we have here in Ontario. The awards show tickets have been on sale for our members since Friday February 8, 2013 and they are now available to the general public. I encourage everyone to go and buy your tickets before they sell out, so you can take part of this historic moment and this unique Ontario celebration. Don’t forget, the first round of nominations will close on February 15, 2013. If […]

February 15, 2013

Ontario Country Music Artists / Songwriters To Be Honoured, May 27th, 2013.

[twocol_one] Charlie Major[/twocol_one] [twocol_one_last] Western Swing Authority[/twocol_one_last] TORONTO: The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) is proud to announce its inaugural Awards Show! The event will be held on Monday, May 27th, 2013, at Markham Theatre at 171 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario. The CMAO has confirmed that multi-award winning celebrated singer-songwriter and recording artist from the Ottawa Valley, Charlie Major, will host the awards. Major has enjoyed many #1 singles including fan favourites such as ‘I Do It For The Money” and “The Other Side.” Also confirmed to perform at the concert and accompany the show’s performers are renowned top musicians The Western Swing Authority, a group of seasoned professionals whose bio includes multiple Canadian Country Music Awards, Juno nominations, as well as a […]

February 15, 2013

2013 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards Show

Tickets On Sale Now! Tickets are officially on sale for the first-ever Country Music Association of Ontario Awards show, to take place at the Markham Theatre on May 27th, 2013. Featuring appearances by some of the hottest names in the Country Music industry today, this awards show will be an evening of celebrating the contributions of artists, writers, bands, radio stations and the many others who contribute daily to the thriving community of country music in Ontario and abroad. Get your tickets today before they sell out! Only $35 plus tax and applicable fees. Tickets available at Ticketbreak.com

February 15, 2013

What country music means to Ontarians

Article By: Stephanie Brooks Country music has its original roots tied to the deep south of the States, where blues and folk combined in the 1920s to spawn a new genre of music that spoke to the lifestyle of its inhabitants. Various influences have since transformed what was previously known as country & western and honky tonk into today’s modern country, and formed what we now know as the world-renowned Music City in Nashville, Tennessee. But Canada is the world’s second biggest home of country music, and today is producing some of Music City’s top stars – many of whom come from Ontario. Culturally, the roots of country music in Canada are ingrained in the prairies and Atlantic provinces where rural lifestyles prevail and the […]

February 15, 2013

Country From the Hart – Bill Hart

If you’re a Country Music Association of Ontario member, then by now you have heard about the upcoming CMAO Awards. Cool, right? Oh hell yeah! After years of hard work, it’s due time for our provinces’ finest to be honoured and no doubt, this will be a great show. Better than other shows? We’ll probably have a smaller budget than the Grammys had, but there are reasons that Country Awards shows at any level will indeed bring people to their feet. 7 reasons why? 1. At Country Music Award Shows, nobody would ever dream of crashing the stage during a presentation. 2. At Country Music Award Shows, a clean shirt & jeans meet all wardrobe requirements. 3. At Country Music Award Shows, nobody lip synchs […]