March 7, 2017
Larry Mercey – (born Dec. 12, 1939 – Hanover, Ontario) Ray Mercey – (born Nov. 21, 1940 – Hanover, Ontario) Lloyd Mercey – (born Dec. 12, 1945 – Hanover, Ontario) (by Larry Delaney) One of Canada’s most decorated country groups, THE MERCEY BROTHERS were perennial award winners for Group Of The Year, including the Canadian Country Music Association’s 1985 Group Of The Year award and six-time (1970-74 and 1976) Juno Award winners as Best Country Group. Led vocally by Larry Mercey, who also wrote several of their top hits, the group released albums on Columbia, RCA and their own MBS Records label. Larry Mercey (on guitar) and brother Ray (on bass guitar) began their music careers in the mid-1950’s as members of The Town And […]
March 7, 2017
Celebrating 8 years of In The Country! “Congratulations Dave on your 8th year Anniversary of In The Country. Your love of country music and your interest in the artist always makes your interviews fun and engaging. I appreciate the time you take to put such a great show together. Here’s to many more years. You’re one of the best.” – Michelle Wright, award-winning Country artist “Here’s to In The Country with Dave Woods, celebrating 8 years! So many great stories yet to tell and I am so proud to have been a part of the musical journey. Keep on keepin’ it country, Dave!” – Patricia Conroy, hit songwriter “Congrats on 8 years of In The Country, Dave! Thank you so much for supporting not […]
March 7, 2017
This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Alessia Cohle! Alessia talks about her start in music, and the important role her family played in her journey. She also talks about what fans can expect from her new album, Talk to Me. Alessia shares her excitement about opening for Brett Kissel, and what it was like to be part of the 2016 CCMA house band. To find out more about Alessia Cohle, visit: www.alessiacohle.com. For more on Country Music Junkies, visit: www.CountryMusicJunkies.com. Check out the exclusive interview with Alessia Cohle below: About Patrice: To Patrice Whiffen, country music is a lifestyle. As the appropriately deemed, “Country Music Junkie,” she strives to share her passion for country music with the […]
March 7, 2017
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. Country Wild Music Festival Announced The first Country Wild Music Festival, to be held Saturday, June 3 in Cobourg’s Victoria Park, was announced February 14th. Hosted by Cobourg local residents Matt Williams and Andrew Hall of Cobourg Music Festivals Inc., the event aims to celebrate Canadian country music […]
February 9, 2017
Mississauga’s Alessia Cohle has been putting in work – and it’s paying off! The country songstress released her Talk To Me album in November 2016 and launched an East Coast tour on the strength of the first single, How Bad (track 1 on the album), before releasing the title track to radio in January 2017. Cohle helps to reinforce the city-girls-singing-country world that we live in. Even though she’s not a farm girl, her voice sounds as country as you could hope for – or would expect to hear on country radio – and the songs that she’s putting together could just as easily have come from a girl that lived in a one-stoplight town. There’s a pop influence, but the twang that comes from […]
February 6, 2017
Aspiring artists and songwriters… CMAOntario is presenting a daylong program of educational seminars for aspiring artists and songwriters in Ottawa, followed by a showcase of emerging Ontario artists. Hear expert panelists’ advice on how to develop an artist’s support team, imaging, marketing and branding tools to help you cut through the noise. You will also hear from experts in performance technique and songwriters who have written real hit songs. Registration for the RoadShow Ottawa is $25.00 for CMAOntario members and $30.00 for non-members – THIS INCLUDES LUNCH! Email info@cmaontario.ca with CMAOntario R2I Ottawa in the subject heading. WANT TO SHOWCASE? CMAOntario members interested in showcasing at the RoadShow Ottawa now have until this Friday, February 10th to submit for a performance opportunity. To be eligible for consideration, you need to […]
February 6, 2017
Born: March 21, 1940 – Thessalon, ONTARIO Died: October 14, 2003 – Didsbury, Alberta (by Larry Delaney) Gary Buck was a leader on the Canadian country music scene as a “builder”, as well as a recording artist, songwriter and producer. His talents in all of these fields have been largely responsible for laying the groundwork and development of the Canadian country music industry. Gary Buck began his own music and recording career while based out of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and would soon become recognized for his work at the international level. As a recording artist, Gary Buck released albums on the Canatal, Tower, Sparton, Capitol, RCA Camden and his own Broadland Records labels. He charted more than 25 singles on the Canadian Country Hit […]
January 10, 2017
From an early age on the farm, Ben Hudson knew that music was going to be important in his life… and with a background in piano and guitar, Ben decided to take the leap and show the world that he had country music inside of him that needed to get out and be shared. 2016 was a big year for Hudson with the February release of his self-titled EP, shows on a heap of stages, a CMAO nomination for the Rising Star Award, and with the momentum that he built, it looks like 2017 will be another step in his country music career. In January of last year Ben was also tagged as CMT Canada’s Fresh Face Artist, giving him that shot of awareness and […]
January 9, 2017
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO GORDIE TAPP (1922-2016) (by Larry Delaney) Gordie Tapp, a legend in Canadian country music, even though he has had few record releases to speak of, passed away December 18, 2016, at his home in Burlington, Ontario. He was 94. Tapp, who was equally known as “Cousin Clem”, is best recognized worldwide for his comedy character skits performed on the long-running “Hee Haw” TV series taped in Nashville studios. Gordie Tapp was born June 4, 1922 in London, Ontario. His early years were spent as a member of the Main Street Jamboree, one of Canadian country’s most popular radio shows. He then moved on, becoming a regular on the CBC’s Country Hoedown show, which aired for 13 years before transitioning into The […]