Newsletter

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/  

If you live in south central Ontario and you’re a country fan, you probably already know about this: The Annual Holstein Rodeo Weekend.  It’s presented by the Egremont Optimist Club and it’s fun for rodeo 20 fans and country music fans alike. Come for the day or camp for the weekend. There’s plenty to see and do here for the whole family. After  a hard day of rodeo events, like roping calves, wrestling steers, riding bulls and busting saddle broncs (with men, ladies and teams), it’s good to kick back to some entertainment. In past years  they’ve  featured such fine country entertainment as Jo Hikk, Emerson Drive and Aaron Lines. This year it’s George Canyon, Marshall Dane,  Wendell  Ferguson, The Good Brothers, Megan Morrison and […]

This will be of interest to any Canadian recording artist who made a recording in 1978 or later while signed to a US record label. Under the US Copyright Act, an artist signed to a US record company may, 35 years after a recording was made, give notice to the record company to terminate their transfer of copyright to that record company. This effectively means that the copyright in the recording reverts to the artist. The year 2013 is the first year that falls 35 years after the 1978 Copyright Act came into force. But bear in mind that, each year, a new crop of recordings becomes eligible for termination. There is a two-year window during which notice can be delivered. For example, for recordings […]

Would you like a chance to perform at FanFest this September at PotashCorp Country Music Week in Saskatoon? Last year’s Fanfest at CCMA week in Hamilton brought a raft of star  performers: Gord Bamford, Victoria Banks, Jason Blaine, Dean Brody, Chad Brownlee, George Canyon, Terri Clark, Doc Walker, High Valley, Charlie Major, One More Girl, Tara Oram, Aaron Pritchett, Deric Ruttan and Michelle Wright… and this September in Saskatoon is sure to be just as star-studded. Think your name would look good in that list? Check this out: The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has invited all the Provincial Country Music Associations to take part in a contest to select one lucky artist for the CCMA FanFest this year at Potash Corp Country Music Week in […]

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

Ah, Summer! I was sitting on my deck, ignoring the humidity as I drank a cold beer from my Toronto Maple Leaf freezer mug while ‘creeping’ my peers on Facebook via my laptop when I started thinking! Usually not a good thing! What does Europe know that Canada doesn’t? Off the top of my head I know of two artists who get SQUAT support in their home country, yet have a following across the pond! Case in point, Dawson Reigns from Cambridge, Ontario! I’ve yet to hear ONE of his songs on the radio here, yet last summer “Someone Watching Over Me” climbed to #8 in Australia giving Dawson his SECOND Top 10 single there from his debut CD “Enjoy The Ride, a disc that […]