May 12, 2021
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”. […]
April 19, 2021
2021 CMAONTARIO FESTIVAL & AWARDS Rescheduled for September 3-5, 2021 in Hamilton, Ontario Celebrating Ontario’s Country Music Industry April 19, 2021 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) has rescheduled the 2021 CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend in Hamilton to September 3 – 5, 2021, following the recommendations from officials regarding COVID-19. Previously scheduled for May 28 – 30, the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend, presented by Slaight Music, will now host three drive in concerts in September at Ancaster Fairgrounds including the Legacy Revival, the New Faces Showcase & Concert, and the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards. CMAOntario took the steps to reschedule the festivities to ensure that the health and well-being of artists and audiences is protected. CMAOntario is committed to presenting and promoting the work of Ontario’s country […]
April 16, 2021
2021 Country Music Association of Ontario Male Artist of the Year nominee, David Boyd Janes, has been on a helluva ride over the last couple of years. And if you asked him about it, he’d probably start by telling you that Thoughts Become Things. The Toronto country artist caught our attention in the summer of 2019 by putting himself in the spotlight – winning the Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase that August. Since then, we’ve seen him release a string of singles (that we hope are leading to an album) and watched him work through social media, building his base as an emerging artist. In 2021, while he hasn’t been able to get on stage the way he or any other artist wishes they […]
April 16, 2021
// by Larry Delaney // (THE “COUNTRY” SIDE OF GORDON LIGHTFOOT) Born: November 17, 1938 – Orillia, Ontario (#48 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) Gordon Lightfoot, one of Canada’s most renowned singer/songwriters, has seen his compositions recorded by artists from around the globe… and from all musical genres. Lightfoot’s own recordings of many of his songs have become permanently etched in our musical memories. While Gordon Lightfoot is most often regarded as a “Folk” artist, his “Country” roots run just as deep. His songs have been recorded by the Who’s Who of country music, many of them becoming major chart hits for those artists. During the 1970s and mid 80s, Lightfoot placed eight of his recordings of original songs on the Billboard Country Charts, […]
April 16, 2021
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”. […]
April 15, 2021
TIM HICKS, ROBYN OTTOLINI, AARON ALLEN, SACHA and more! Announced as Performers for the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards April 15, 2021 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is excited to announce Tim Hicks, Robyn Ottolini, Aaron Allen, Sacha, and more as part of an initial list of performers for the CMAOntario Awards on Sunday, May 30 at Ancaster Fairgrounds in Hamilton. The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend will host three drive in concerts at Ancaster Fairgrounds May 28 – 30, 2021 including the Legacy Revival, the New Faces Showcase & Concert, and the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards. Hosted by Jason McCoy and Beverley Mahood, the CMAOntario Award Show will close out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend on Sunday, May 30 with performances and 18 award […]
April 6, 2021
The Country Music Association of Ontario Announces 2021 CMAOntario Awards Nominees Meghan Patrick, Tim Hicks, and Robyn Ottolini Lead In Nominations April 6, 2021 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is excited to announce the nominees for the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards, taking place Sunday, May 30, 2021 as a drive-in style event at the Ancaster Fairgrounds in Hamilton, Ontario. Leading the nominations are 15 time CMAOntario Award winner Meghan Patrick, nine time CMAOntario Award winner Tim Hicks, and viral sensation Robyn Ottolini, with five nominations each. Hosted by Jason McCoy and Beverley Mahood, the CMAOntario Award Show will close out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend May 28 – 30, 2021. After presenting the first ever, live, drive-in country music awards show in October 2020, CMAOntario is happy to do it all […]
March 12, 2021
Jaclyn Kenyon doesn’t fit in any traditional musical box. She’s a lot of country and a little rock and roll, and it all comes together in a personal fit for her. From an early age, Jaclyn has been performing and earning attention and praise. At just 12 years old, she became the youngest artist to perform in the all-female Canadian showcase, Honey Jam. And she hasn’t stopped since! The Burlington, Ontario native has released a string of singles over the last two years, most recently, Me & Tennessee. It’s a heartbreaker with a strong vocal performance that feels vulnerable, honest and real. And, with a music video that accompanies it perfectly and adds to the storytelling of it all, Jaclyn hits us hard. In 2019, […]
March 12, 2021
// by Larry Delaney // Born: March 4, 1949 – Bridgewater, Nova Scotia Home: Guelph, Ontario (#47 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) Carroll Baker’s career in Canadian country music remains unmatched. Notwithstanding the modern-day accomplishments of such Canadian-bred country stars as Shania Twain, Terri Clark, Michelle Wright, etc., Carroll Baker still holds the Canadian chart record of scoring 12 consecutive #1 hits (February 1975 to May 1979). Carroll Baker was on the RPM Country Hit Charts for a total of 528 weeks, with 31 consecutive singles reaching the charts and 20 of them making the Top 10, mostly achieved with her manager/producer/songwriting partner, the late Don Grashey. Carroll’s success story did not end with the Don Grashey era. After moving to Tembo Records in […]
March 12, 2021
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”. […]
February 9, 2021
2020 was a big year for Sacha’s country music career, and 2021 looks like it’s going to be even bigger! The Ontario singer-songwriter released her “The Best Thing” EP in July last year, with her single Standards approaching 400,000 streams on Spotify and picking up adds on country radio stations. It has landed on great playlists, picked up great reviews and recommendations, and cracked the Top 50 on the charts, with momentum for more. But, the biggest news right now might be her inclusion in CMT’s Next Women of Country, Class of 2021! With Canadian stars MacKenzie Porter and Tenille Arts, as well as talented artists like Ashland Craft and Reyna Roberts, Sacha finds herself in great company on the list – and the exposure […]
February 9, 2021
// by Larry Delaney // Born: Dec. 10, 1944 – Seaton (Devonshire) England Home: Ottawa, Ontario (#46 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) In the Bluegrass Music world, Mike O’Reilly has long been one of Canada’s “best kept secrets”. The now-veteran Canuck has done it all: a masterful musician, a gifted singer, a quality songwriter, and a stage presence that balances a traditional bluegrass voice with a comedic side that keeps an audience enthralled. Today’s bluegrass fans will likely be aware of Mike O’Reilly’s quartet of albums recorded with long-time music partner Dick Smith, releasing the four albums (from 2002-2008) on the New Era Recording label under the “Dick Smith – Mike O’Reilly Band” banner. Amazingly, all 56 songs featured on these albums were written solely […]
February 9, 2021
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”. […]
January 11, 2021
Y’all know Meghan Patrick. She’s the 15-time Country Music Association of Ontario award winner, the CCMA Rising Star, two-time Female Artist of the Year, and Ontario-born-and-raised hit machine. From the very start of her solo career with Bow Chicka Wow Wow, to her most recent single (and entry to the US country radio market), My First Car, Meghan Patrick has been capturing the attention of country music fans and building a reputation as a world class singer, songwriter and performer. Note: If you still haven’t seen Meghan Patrick perform live, we highly recommend that you make a plan to do that when our stages are reopened and it’s safe to get out there and dance and sing along! The Bowmanville, ON native was once in […]