October 20, 2017
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
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
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 […]
August 10, 2017
The CMAOntario is happy to announce that Johnson Crook of Toronto, Ontario, is the winner of the Lucknow’s Music In The Fields performance opportunity. Johnson Crook will take to the Emerging Artist Stage on Friday, August 25 for two performance slots – 8:30pm and 10:00pm. If you’re going to the festival, make sure to catch their performance. About Johnson Crook: Toronto roots-rock band Johnson Crook share a love of pure, honest music stemming from their small-town backgrounds. Drawing inspiration from groups like the Eagles and the Avett Brothers, each member contributes equally, injecting their unique personalities into the overall sound built on four voices. Watch for a new album Aug 2017. Website: http://www.johnsoncrook.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnsoncrookband Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnsonCrook Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnsoncrook/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBMNHaFdlI3RiW7QY23Vleg Congratulations Johnson Crook! We wish you much success as you represent the CMAOntario at one of Ontario’s […]
August 8, 2017
Born: February 9, 1931 – Eberts, Ontario Died: June 30, 2010 – Chatham, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Based out of Chatham, Ontario, Ray Francis formed his first band The Whippoorwills in the late 1950’s (with John Tangelis, Max Dauphin, Ray Dauphin, and Bill Taylor) and they quickly earned a solid reputation by backing up touring Nashville stars like Ray Price, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, Faron Young, Ferlin Husky, etc., and making appearances on major stages. The Whippoorwills also hosted a “live” show, aired weekly for more than five years over CFCO radio in Chatham. The act recorded two albums in the mid 1960’s: “The Whippoorwills” released on Canatal Records; and “Country Jamboree” on Arc Records. After the demise of The Whippoorwills group, Ray Francis joined […]
August 6, 2017
During PotashCorp Country Music Week 2017 in Saskatoon, ole will be hosting “on the spot” – a premiere event that delivers instant artist/songwriter development, and a contract with ole’s red dot valued up to $40,000 USD – that includes music publishing, EP recorded production, YouTube SRAV management, and support from ole’s world-class Creative Staff. Simply submit YouTube videos of yourself singing one of the approved hit songs from the ole catalog, as well as an original composition, and you could earn a chance to perform in Saskatoon during PotashCorp Country Music Week in front of some of Country music’s top A&Rs. Join the ranks of Charlie Worsham, Josh Dorr, Sam Grow, Katia Zuccarelli and Jordan Davis, whose careers have been launched by ole’s red dot artist development program. Enter before August 14 […]
July 10, 2017
Born: December 13, 1931 – Pembroke, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) Quite likely the “most heard” and “least credited” musician on the Canadian country music scene during the 1960’s-80’s was Pembroke, Ontario-born guitarist Mickey McGivern. His tasty guitar talents were featured on hundreds of albums released by the popular Canadian indie label Arc Records, but many of these releases were issued in an era when session musicians were not credited on the back cover liner notes. Mickey McGivern’s guitar work played a key role on Arc Records albums released by such Canadian artists as Dick Nolan, Jimmy James, Dusty King, Irwin Prescott, Freddy McKenna, etc.; as well as on Arc albums featuring Nashville artists Red Sovine, Donna Darlene, Ramblin’ Lou Shriver, etc. At the time, Mickey […]
June 7, 2017
Congratulations to Ben Hudson on being selected as a finalist in the 2017 CCMA Spotlight Performance Contest. Ben was selected among numerous submissions to the CMAOntario to represent Ontario and the Association in the national competition. Voting is now open. To vote for Ben, click here to access the CCMA Spotlight Performance online voting poll. The finalist that receives the most votes on the poll by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, June 16, 2017 will win one performance spot during PotashCorp Country Music Week 2017. Only one (1) vote per IP address will register with the online polling system – so make your one (1) vote count!
June 7, 2017
Born: April 4, 1950 – Kapuskasing, Ontario Died: November 9, 2010 – Aylmer, Ontario (by Larry Delaney) David Thompson’s career in the spotlight was relatively short, but quite productive. Born in the Northern Ontario town of Kapuskasing, the family moved to Detroit when he was 5 years old… and while there, he absorbed various styles of music. During his teenage years, he played with local bands. At age 20, he returned to his hometown in Ontario, where he further developed his songwriting skills and performed with various local bands, most notably, The Richard Gordon Trio. David Thompson’s songwriting talents took him to Thunder Bay, Ontario, in an effort to pitch his tunes and secure a recording contract. In 1977, he was signed to RCA Canada, […]