Newsletter
October 12, 2022
// by Larry Delaney // (born: August 2, 1944 – Toronto) (#67 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) BLAKE EMMONS is likely best known for hosting the TV series “Funny Farm”, a short-lived (one season-1974) Canadian-produced answer to the long-running Nashville TV show “Hee Haw”. For diehard country music fans, Blake Emmons will also be remembered for a pair of albums – I Wish You Love, released in 1976, and First Flight, a 1983 album on Columbia Records. The debut album, released on Canadian label Condor Records, contained five songs written by Blake Emmons, including his two biggest chart hits: “Let Me Do Something Lord”, which peaked at #9 on the RPM Charts, and the follow-up single “Sunchild”, a Top 30 hit. The album also contained […]
October 12, 2022
Kitchener’s Angelica Appelman recently released her third single “U-Turn”. The song was written by Angelica along with David Madras. “I love the story we’re telling with ‘U-Turn’ because it feels like such a relatable topic that we hear so often with the current dating landscape. I think this song reminds us to keep hope because it just takes that one person to change your perspective,” says Angelica. “We wrote U-Turn last fall and it was after a summer I spent with someone who treated me so well and had really transformed my mindset on romantic relationships,” explains Angelica. “I wanted to write a song with a more positive outlook about being in the dating scene because I think it is a time where you can […]
October 12, 2022
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. If you would like to have something included in the newsletter, please send us a short synopsis, a photo or graphic and the hotlink that can be included in the news listing. Submissions can be sent to verle@cmaontario.ca. Please make sure the Subject Line reads “For inclusion in the CMAOntario Newsletter”. […]
September 6, 2022
Nick Hedden is a Windsor, Ontario native who first picked up the guitar at just five years old. Participating in talent shows and school musicals immersed him in a world of music from a young age. Taking time away from music to focus on school, he returned to music after seven years to pursue his education. He holds a Masters Degree in Criminology. The “aha” moment for Nick happened during his first writing session, surrounded by seasoned writers from Nashville. During this session, he and his co-writers wrote one of Nick’s favourite songs; in that moment, he realized that he could do this for a living as well. Leaning in as a performer and songwriter, Nick started to invest in his career as an artist […]
September 6, 2022
// by Larry Delaney // (1922-1965) (Born: Kirkton, Ontario) (#66 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) There have been many Canadian-made songs that have become standards and earned mega-play worldwide… One, however, that often flies under the radar, is the fiddle instrumental, “Maple Sugar”, composed by the late Ward Allen. Most fiddle players in North America and beyond have either recorded or performed a live version of “Maple Sugar” – the tune is immediately identifiable by fans and enthusiasts of fiddle music. Ward Allen’s “Maple Sugar”, originally recorded and released on the Sparton Records of Canada label, was so popular and far-ranging that it also earned a release on the famed Texas-based D-Records label, operated by Pappy Daily. Warden Amber (Ward) Allen was born May 11, […]
September 6, 2022
Hamilton’s Shaylyn joins me on the podcast to chat about her music career, her love of traditional country music as well as her new single “Favourite Hello, Hardest Goodbye”. It’s the follow up release to her popular single “The Drink”. Shaylyn released her first album in 2017 titled Lovin’ The Legends which included the very first song she wrote, entitled “Nana’s Little Girl”, as a tribute to her supportive Nana. The great thing about Shaylyn’s shows is that she’s keeping country music’s past alive with the classic songs she covers. A modern girl with a traditional sound.
September 6, 2022
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. If you would like to have something included in the newsletter, please send us a short synopsis, a photo or graphic and the hotlink that can be included in the news listing. Submissions can be sent to verle@cmaontario.ca. Please make sure the Subject Line reads “For inclusion in the CMAOntario Newsletter”. […]
August 4, 2022
What makes outstanding talent – nature or nurture? Kelly Prescott is an example for considering a balance of both as the optimum recipe. Kelly’s parents, Tracey Brown and Randall Prescott, are highly respected Canadian country royalty, so Kelly has had quality music in her life since before birth. Kelly and brother Kaylen inevitably teamed up to form the duo “Prescott”, and even though Kelly went on to forge her own career with the 2016 solo EP “Hillbilly Jewels”, Kaylen teamed up with Kelly again to produce her “Love Wins” release – a six song collection with co-writes from venerable songwriters Donovan Woods and Patricia Conroy. “Love Wins” also featured guest vocals from Shawn Austin and Jessica Mitchell, but one listen to Kelly’s rich voice will […]
August 4, 2022
// by Larry Delaney // (Born: Cornwall, Ontario) (#65 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) Cornwall, Ontario-born singer/songwriter/producer GILLES GODARD is one of Canadian country music’s best all-around success stories. He began as a musician (steel guitar), was a prolific songwriter, an in-demand record producer, and completed the picture by forming his own record label, Book Shop Records, which became a home to many Canadian recording artists. By the mid-1980s, he was making Nashville his base of operations, where he not only became a hit songwriter but also a music publishing executive. To better grasp Gilles Godard’s massive career, one must review his accomplishments somewhat chronologically. After graduating from the Royal Conservatory of Music as a master steel guitar musician, still in his teens, Gilles formed […]