Newsletter

A new permanent section in our Newsletter and on our website will list upcoming deadlines, providing you with information about what funding is available and when you need to submit your application. However, most agencies have a fiscal year which ends March 31st. Currently, most are in the process of setting their deadlines for the upcoming year. In the meantime, we have gathered some information that describes where you can apply to receive funding. We have also provided some information about their mandates. CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS The Canada Council for the Arts provides support for the development of individuals, groups, small ensembles, orchestras and other professionals working in the Canadian music community. In addition to tours, concert production and festival programming, the Music […]

The CMAO is happy and excited to present our nomination process (see the nomination process article). We hope all members and non-members will get the word out and help stimulate the nominations. Any member or non-member could submit a nomination, but the ultimate selection of the finalists will be in the hands of all voting CMAO members (those who are in good standing). Make sure your dues are up to date or join our organization to be eligible to be part of making history! If there are any questions related to the nomination process, please submit them to info@cmaontario.ca and someone will respond to your email. I would like to welcome Stephanie Brooks aboard the newsletter team. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from […]

The CMAO is pleased to present the information and criteria for our nomination process. Please be advised that the deadline for all nominations is February 28, 2013. Who can nominate an artist, group or company? Anyone, including non-CMAO members, can nominate an artist, group or company as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Ultimately, only CMAO members in good standing will have the ability to vote on the finalists through a balloting process. Does the artist, group or company have to be a member of the CMAO to get nominated? They don’t have to be a member to be nominated, but they need to be a member to be acknowledged as a finalist or to receive their award. How do I submit a nomination? […]

Over 4 years ago, back when the Country Music Association of Ontario was first forming, one of its founding directors was Peter Linseman. He served two years on the board and then decided to step down due to health reasons. Not his own, but to help a loved one. That kind of dedication and caring is one of the reasons we’re so pleased that he decided to run for the board again and was elected at the September 2012 AGM. We would like to welcome Peter Linseman back as a director of the CMAO. Spending over a decade as the owner of Music Mentor Productions, a CCMA nominated recording studio & Independent Record Label, Peter has worn every hat imaginable in the music industry. On […]

A new year often brings with it a host of new things. For some, it’s a fresh start. For others, it’s about minor changes to habits, mannerisms, or goals for work, love, and career. And to make these changes a reality, sometimes we find ourselves pausing to reflect on the year that just passed – the mistakes, achievements, trials and tribulations we endured – in order to move onward and upward. And when it comes to country music, the case is no different. From Ontario to across North America and around the world, 2012 saw a surge of country music talent – both new and old – lighting up studios, bars, radio stations, arenas, the media and popular culture. And if I can put forward […]

Happy New Year! Got to say I’ve got a good feeling about 2013. NHL hockey is back, the Blue Jays are an early World Series favourite, and some big things are brewing on the stove of your CMAO! It’s also a time where many of you are planning to take that step on the ladder of success. In a world of tight budgets and financial responsibility you will find yourself asking a ton of questions like: Should I make the drive to Sudbury to visit the radio station’s Music Director? Gas isn’t cheap and is it really worth it to make the trip only to have your record stay on the shelf? We’ve never said ‘no’ to anyone wanting to drop by, but we have […]

Over the past month, the CMAO board has been hard at work trying to provide a better service to you the members. We have revamped the look of our website. Take a look and let us know what you think. Send your feedback to info@cmaontario.ca. For those of you whose renewal dates are coming up, you will notice that we have sent our renewal requests in the mail. We are community (a country music community) and we require the support of everyone in this community. You might be wondering what’s in it for me, well in addition to some of the benefits that we are continuing to offer and enhance, you will be supporting your community. Having a strong community will provide opportunities to our […]

We hope that you are getting as excited as we are! We’ve been working hard over the last while to put together the first annual CMAO Awards for our members, which will be happening on May 27th, 2013, at Markham Theatre in Markham, Ontario. As a new organization we are constantly striving to provide strong benefits to our members and feel there is no better way to celebrate the individual accomplishments and diverse pool of talent that our members bring to the country music genre in our region and abroad, than with an awards show! The 1st CMAO Awards will be a special evening featuring live performances, special guests and the presentation of our inaugural awards. We have selected our nine nomination categories and eligibility […]

As we all know, luck is when “Preparation meets opportunity”. And our new addition to the board, Cadence Grace is a gal that makes her own luck. After working with us for only two months, we on the board feel that she’s destined for great things. She’s shown us her ability in web-site design, writing, poster and flyer production and a myriad of computer and graphic design skills. Plus she’s very adept at social media and event planning. But did we mention that as a youngster she was raised on and influenced by music of all kinds, and got into acting and musical theatre, doing a full run of Joseph at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto? Or that she was signed to a Management/Development deal […]