Category Archives: Country, Bluegrass & Folk

It’s CMAO Monday so I thought it would be fun to dedicate this week’s edition of Monday Musings to discuss my picks for the third annual event. I should mention that I personally am not a member of the Country Music Association of Ontario, yet, so my picks have not influenced the outcome of tonight’s awards. 

So Gord Bamford brought his buddy Joe Nichols & Autumn Hill along for the ride on the Country Certified tour that landed at Algonquin College this past Monday night.   Our Sean Sisk was there to capture the show.  Here is his Photo Review of the event.  

Our friends over at the CMAO’s have their upcoming R2I Spring TuneUp Conference taking place in Markham, Ontario on May 28-29th.   We have an opportunity for 2 lucky readers to attend the Conference thanks to the folks at The Country Music Association of Ontario.

Madeline Merlo released her debut album Free Soul, on Friday April 29th. Following her earlier EP release back in 2014, let me tell you, this girl put her heart and soul into this album. From her radio hit “Whatcha Wanna Do About It”  and “Honey Jack” to some older hits such as “Sinking like a Stone” and “Alive”.

The HOPE Volleyball SummerFest Mainstage every year brings Canada’s most talented musicians to our stage, to entertain our over  20,000 players & spectators. In partnership with NewCap Radio’s Big Money Shot contesting, whose winners play as our opening acts – we will continue to bring the biggest & brightest to rock Mooney’s Bay Beach!

Lets keep this one simple.  I love Country Music!  I really do.  And this morning waking up to the CMAO 2016 Award Nominations was kind of like a kid at Christmas.  As my eyes read through and processed this years nominations I couldn’t help but wonder.  Who will be the BIG Winners next month at the Awards Ceremonies in Markham? Here is the list of Nominations.

Anticipation ran high in Canada’s Capital since it was announced that the best selling solo artist in US history, Garth Brooks, would be making his return to the city for the first time in 19 years this past January. The wait came to an end on Friday as thousands of fans descended on the Canadian Tire Centre for the first of 4 shows.

It may have been less than a year since Johnny Reid brought his high spirited show to RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest but his local chapter of the Tartan Army didn’t have any issues packing into TD Place for, what many who have been to multiple stops on the tour are calling, one of the best shows to date on his “What Love Is All About Tour”

London, Ontario played host to the Country Music Association of Ontario ( CMAO ) New Artist RoadShow on Saturday March 19th. Various events took place around the city for up and coming country artists from across the province, the purpose being to gain knowledge and feedback from industry experts including Jason Blaine, Steve Wilkinson, Jason Barry and many more.

It’s that time of year again, first everyone is excited about the forthcoming announcement of the Ottawa Bluesfest lineup and then for the next 5 months won’t stop complaining about the lack of “blues” in the lineup.