Image – Page 10 – Country Music Association of Ontario

December 21, 2017

Winners Selected to Open for Brett Kissel on His “We Were That Song” Tour

Countless fans have uploaded videos of themselves performing their favourite Brett Kissel song to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook entering for their chance to #KickItWithKissel this Winter on his ‘We Were That Song’ national tour. The winners have now been selected! Congratulations to our members chosen to open for Brett on the tour dates below: • Fri, Feb 2 – Thunder Bay, ON – Thunder Bay Community Auditorium – Augusta Ray • Thu, Feb 22 – Barrie, ON – Georgian Theatre – Nicole Rayy • Fri, Feb 23 – North Bay, ON – Capitol Centre – The Small Town Girls and Ben Hudson • Sat, Feb 24 – Sudbury, ON – Fraser Auditorium – Amanda Jordan • Sun, Feb 25 – Sault Ste Marie, ON – The Machine […]

December 21, 2017

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Jack Kingston

Born: October 4, 1925 – St. Catharines, Ontario Died: May 18, 1996 – St. Catharines, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) As a youngster, Jack Kingston sang in church choirs in his hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario and by his late teens, was performing on CKTB radio (St. Catharines) and formed the country band The Kingston Brothers with his brother Alex Kingston and friend Alex Dalgleish. After the break-up of the group in the late 1940’s, Jack Kingston joined the Wingham, Ontario-based CKNX “Traveling Barn Dance”, where he was nicknamed “The Yodeling Cowboy”. By the early 1950’s, Jack Kingston became the first Canadian country artist to be signed to Capitol Records (Canada), releasing two singles. Soon afterwards, Jack Kingston became a member of the famed Main Street […]

November 17, 2017

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Donna Moon

Born: June 5, 1951 – Madoc, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Donna Moon was born in the Central Ontario town of Madoc, and launched her singing career as a young teenager with performances at the Lakehead Barndance staged in nearby Peterborough. Donna became affectionately dubbed “The Moon Of Madoc”, and after moving to Toronto in the early 1970’s to pursue her career at the professional level, she soon attracted the attention of Jack Hosier who signed Donna to his Marathon Records label. In 1973, Donna Moon released her debut album with the title track single, “Bittersweet”, quickly attracting radio airplay and the single reaching #2 on the RPM Hit Charts. A follow-up single, “Baby And Me”, also charted, peaking at #29. Donna’s second album on Marathon, a self-titled collection, […]

November 13, 2017

CMAOntario RoadShow Hits Peterborough

CMAONTARIO ROADSHOW: LEARNING EXCHANGE IN PETERBOROUGH Saturday, November 25, 2017 Kawartha Trade & Technology Centre at Fleming College Room 1129 – 599 Brealey Dr., Peterborough, ON On Saturday, November 25th, the CMAOntario RoadShow will be pulling into Fleming College, to host a daylong program of educational seminars. For aspiring music professionals, artists and songwriters, it is a unique opportunity to network with peers and access industry experts with the potential to impact your career. SEND US YOUR DEMO A perennial favourite, the DEMORAMA LISTENING SESSION, provides you with the captive audience you’ve always wanted. Send a demo and get direct feedback from industry professionals – both from a craft and business point of view. Find out what these experts have to say about song structure, lyric writing and generally […]

October 31, 2017

Kick It With Kissel Contest Returns

Want to open for Brett Kissel on his “We Were That Song” tour? Here’s your chance! Submit a video of you performing your favourite Brett Kissel song to win an opportunity to open for him on his We Were That Song tour. Simply record yourself, stating your name, location, and why you want to open for Brett, then rip into your rendition of your favourite Kissel tune. Upload your video to Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook by November 26, 2017 using the hashtag “#KickItWithKissel” and tagging CMAOntario. Winners will be announced on December 4, 2017. Contest open to current CMAOntario members for the Ontario dates on the tour. Brought to you by the Country Music Association of Ontario, Invictus Entertainment, and BK himself. Contest Rules: 1) Winner will […]

October 20, 2017

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Orval Prophet

Born: August 31, 1922 – Edwards, Ontario Died: January 4, 1984 – Ottawa, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Orval Prophet was affectionately dubbed “The Canadian Plowboy”, reflecting his Ottawa Valley farm-life upbringing and his musical roots. Orval originally performed as part of the Ottawa Valley groups Fiddler’s Fling and Mac Beattie & His Melodiers. Following his early success with his Decca recordings, Orval “Rex” Prophet toured across Canada with both Wilf Carter and Johnny Cash. During his heyday, Orval Prophet’s live performances were typically filled with a touch of showmanship rarely seen with country music performers of the day… Orval would work a room using a 50-foot microphone cord, throwing one arm in the air, and shaking hands with patrons as he walked among his audience, […]

October 20, 2017

MusicOntario & Rogers Hometown Hockey Looking for 2017-2018 Tour Stop Performers

The Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour is proud to announce that Season 4 will roll into 24 communities across Canada this season with a weekend of free outdoor hockey festivities for all ages. Each tour stop is full of activities, prizes, giveaways and great live music from local bands all culminating in an outdoor viewing party of an NHL game broadcast live every Sunday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW. Ron MacLean and Tara Slone host live on site from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio. For more information on the tour stops, please follow Rogers Hometown Hockey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MusicOntario is pleased to assist in the search for local artists and bands to perform at each tour stop! Are you from one of the following […]

September 19, 2017

Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers: Bob King

Born: January 6, 1934 – Joyceville, Ontario Died: January 20, 1989 – Ottawa, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Bob King was one of Canada’s first country stars to earn recognition beyond our national borders. Raised in the Ottawa Valley, Bob King headed up his first band, The Country Cousins, at age 14, playing area talent contests. At age 16, he became a solo artist, beating out another Ottawa youngster, Paul Anka, in a talent show. Soon afterwards, Bob King joined on as a member of the popular traditional country group, Mac Beattie & The Ottawa Valley Melodiers. In 1954, at age 20, Bob King was signed to a solo recording contract with RCA Victor. His debut single, “Laurel Lee”, became an instant hit, selling a reported 50,000 […]

September 19, 2017

Partner Spotlight: MusicOntario

What is MusicOntario? Launched in 2012, MusicOntario is a non-profit, membership-based Music Industry Association (MIA), representing Ontario’s independent artists and businesses. As a division of the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), our mission is to provide professional development, services and support to the independent music industry in Ontario. What do we do? MusicOntario curates programs, events and initiatives that assist in nurturing, promoting, and sustaining growth within the provincial music sector. We do this by both creating accessible opportunities for emerging local talent and professionals, and connecting them to Ontario’s existing industry infrastructures, festivals and organizations within Ontario’s communities. From 2015-2017, MusicOntario delivered over 108 events (and counting), ranging from workshops, panels, b2b and peer mentorship sessions, to showcases, domestic and international market access, networking […]