January 11, 2021
// by Larry Delaney // (#45 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) Seven albums, 20 charted singles, including three #1 hits and eight Top 10 hits to their credit… but still, Canadian Zephyr remain as one of Canadian country music’s all-time “mystery” acts. A product of the pre-CD, pre-video era of Canadian country music, Canadian Zephyr were the perfect example of being “ahead of their time.” The early origins of the band go back to the late 1960s as a foursome called The Four Jacks, featuring the talents of John Hayman, Bill Meens, Marty Steiger and Chris Plewes. In 1971, after Steiger and Plewes left the act, Hayman and Meens were joined by bassist/vocalist Garth Bourne, billing themselves as CANADIAN ZEPHYR, with a home base in […]
January 11, 2021
Ottawa’s country brother duo Lemon Cash visits In The Country to chat with Dave about about their upcoming single “Wine Tonight” produced by CMAOntario Producer of the Year Jeff Dalziel, their influences, how they came up with their duo name & much more! Dave Woods is a monthly columnist for the CMAOntario Newsletter and has been hosting the popular online radio show In The Country with Dave Woods since 2009! To hear episodes, please visit www.inthecountryinterviews.com, www.soundcloud.com/dave-woods-3 and iTunes.
January 11, 2021
This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Jason Blaine! We caught up with Jason Blaine to chat about his new EP, Go With Me, which was released on October 23, 2020! He shares the stories behind the tunes, including a behind-the-scenes look at his love story with his wife Amy – the inspiration for the title track (along with many others)! Jason also talks about his upcoming live streams and so much more! For more information about Country Music Junkies, visit www.countrymusicjunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview here and 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 […]
January 11, 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”. […]
December 11, 2020
Toronto-based country duo Jess and Tay have been steadily working to build their country music career, step by step. And as a strange and challenging 2020 fades into 2021, there are more steps waiting for them to climb. We first saw Jess and Tay back in 2016, when they competed in the Emerging Artist Showcase at Boots & Hearts. In 2020, the duo was scheduled to hit the stage at Burl’s Creek again, but when the festival was postponed for the year because of the pandemic, they had to put that plan on pause. However, with the announcement of the 2021 B&H lineup, Jess and Tay are poised to return on Friday, August 6. While they may not have been able to tour as much […]
December 11, 2020
Born: April 4, 1940 – Riceville, Ontario // by Larry Delaney // (#44 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) Hugh Scott is the epitome of the “hometown hero”… a singer, songwriter and performer who had the pure talent to become a huge star at the national level, but chose to stay close to home to pursue his music career. Born April 4, 1940, in the Eastern Ontario town of Riceville, Hugh Scott was raised in Ottawa and began playing the fiddle at age 5. By his mid-teens, he was playing in his first professional band, Smokey Rand & The Drifters, working shows at the popular Chamberland Hotel in nearby Aylmer, Quebec. Later, while heading-up his own group, The Meteors, Hugh generated a huge fan following with […]
December 11, 2020
Dave welcomes Dani Strong to the show to chat about her new album, Undefined, and to share some songs from it. She’ll also talk about Tom Petty, Shane & Stacey Lee Guse, “task writing”, music therapy & much more! In The Country Radio Show · Interview With Dani Strong (October 2020) Dave Woods is a monthly columnist for the CMAOntario Newsletter and has been hosting the popular online radio show In The Country with Dave Woods since 2009! To hear episodes, please visit www.inthecountryinterviews.com, www.soundcloud.com/dave-woods-3 and iTunes.
December 11, 2020
This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Mike Robins! Mike Robins was formerly half of Autumn Hill and half of East Adelaide, but he’s now launched his own solo project! Mike talks about his decision to release music as a solo artist, as well as the swoon-worthy story behind his new SMASH “Lightning Don’t Strike Twice.” For more information about Country Music Junkies, visit www.countrymusicjunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview here and 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 world. As a radio broadcaster with an inside view of the world of country music, Patrice […]
December 11, 2020
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”. […]
November 3, 2020
Toronto born and raised, but still able to dive deep into a country feeling, Owen Barney is being recognized as an up-and-comer on the Canadian country music scene. The 19-year-old singer-songwriter recently released his second EP, No Road Too Long, with four tracks that show off his talent, potential, and personality. Owen Barney’s musical journey began at just seven years old when he started strumming a guitar and found influence and inspiration in superstars like Eric Church, Jason Aldean, and Steve Earle. In his early teens, he started playing shows and growing his skills on stage, and from there he has covered a lot of ground. Owen hit our radar hard in 2019 with his EP Home, and we had the chance to see him […]
November 3, 2020
Born: January 16, 1961 – London, Ontario // by Larry Delaney // (#43 in the Ontario Pioneers Series) Marie Bottrell has been writing songs and singing since her pre-teen years. After performing in her family group (Whitestone Bridge) and singing at dances and Legion Halls in her hometown of London, Ontario, Marie was signed to The Mercey Brothers’ MBS Records label in 1978. She pursued a solo career, releasing two albums on MBS and an additional three albums after being signed to RCA Records. Many of the songs on these albums were original songs written by Bottrell. Her debut “Just Reach Out And Touch Me” album featured four songs, which she composed, including the title track, which became the first of her twenty nationally-charted hit […]
November 3, 2020
Dave welcomes Barrie’s Brian John Harwood to the podcast to chat about his new single & music video, “All That I Was Missing”, written as a proposal to his girlfriend. Brian is releasing singles as a solo artist while continuing to release new Kansas Stone material with Matt Davey. Also on the show, we’ll hear Brian’s summer anthem “Hotter Than Summer.” In The Country Radio Show · Interview With Brian John Harwood (October 2020) Dave Woods is a monthly columnist for the CMAOntario Newsletter and has been hosting the popular online radio show In The Country with Dave Woods since 2009! To hear episodes, please visit www.inthecountryinterviews.com, www.soundcloud.com/dave-woods-3 and iTunes.
November 3, 2020
This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Ryan Laird! Ryan shares the story behind his new tune “Make It Work,” the upcoming music video for the tune and what fans can expect to hear next! For more information about Country Music Junkies, visit www.countrymusicjunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview here and 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 world. As a radio broadcaster with an inside view of the world of country music, Patrice currently works with radio stations across Ontario to bring listeners the newest of new country music. You can find out more about […]
November 3, 2020
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”. […]
October 16, 2020
Oakville’s Nicole Rayy has worked hard to reach new heights and recognition in her country music career. With the release of her recent single, Broken Boys, and her 2020 EP, All Woman, she’s showing everyone that she’s certainly well on her way to becoming a known and celebrated artist in Ontario and beyond. The 2020 Country Music Association of Ontario Female Artist of the Year nominee has been busy during the pandemic. She’s released new music, done press rounds to promote it, performed in live streams and at drive-in concerts (including the CMAOntario Awards in London, ON), creating her own opportunities with HarmoniaFest, and more. None of this busy schedule is new to Nicole. Her career has already taken her to big Canadian festivals and […]
October 16, 2020
Born: December 9, 1942 – Grande Prairie, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Bob Lucier was born in Grand Prairie, Ontario – a small community near Chatham – and he has been playing steel guitar since his late teenage years. He first played professionally with his hometown-based Myers Brothers & The Jubilaires. He would later become a renowned steel guitarist for several of Canada’s top country bands, including Eastwind – a group headed up by Johnny Burke; and with the Caribou Showband, with that group hosting their own TV series At The Caribou. Bob also was the steel guitar player in the house band backing Canadian legend Tommy Hunter, host of the long-running CBC-TV series, The Tommy Hunter Show. He was also the steel guitarist in the […]
October 16, 2020
Dave catches up with Mike Robins about his debut solo single “Lightning Don’t Strike Twice”. Mike hit it big on the country music scene in 2013 with his group Autumn Hill, achieving radio success with multiple top 10 and 20 singles including “Anything At All,” “Mixtape,” and “Can’t Keep Waiting.” The music video for the groups hit single “Blame” also topped the CMT charts reaching #1. As part of Autumn Hill, Mike has been nominated for 4 Canadian Country Music Awards, 2 JUNO Awards, and 5 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards, and won awards for the CMAOntario’s Rising Star and Best Group/Duo. In The Country Radio Show · Interview With Mike Robins (October 2020) Dave Woods is a monthly columnist for the CMAOntario Newsletter and […]
October 16, 2020
This month, our feature video from Patrice Whiffen at Country Music Junkies profiles Canadian country music artist, Elyse Saunders! Elyse shares the story behind her new tune “Free,” fills us in on her vlog and what’s coming up soon for this inspiring Ontario artist! For more information about Country Music Junkies, visit www.countrymusicjunkies.com. Listen to the exclusive interview here and 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 world. As a radio broadcaster with an inside view of the world of country music, Patrice currently works with radio stations across Ontario to bring listeners the newest of new country music. You can find out more […]
October 16, 2020
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”. […]
October 5, 2020
The Country Music Association of Ontario Announces Winners of the 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards October 4, 2020 (TORONTO) The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) tonight celebrated the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry across 17 categories. The 8th Annual CMAOntario Awards was the first ever, live drive-in country awards show, and took place on The Raceway at the Western Fair District in London, Ontario. Meghan Patrick from Bowmanville, Ontario led with three wins, followed by Tim Hicks, James Barker Band, and The Reklaws with two wins each. These wins mark a historic run for CMAOntario artists: Meghan Patrick has won the CMAOntario Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for three consecutive years. She has won Album of the Year for two […]