Newsletter

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/  

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