Hey, hey there! I know! I am publishing another post really quick. But there is some really exciting stuff coming up that I want you to hear about.  This way, if you have the opportunity to take part, you still have time to do it.

It is CMAOntario Awards time again and this year, they have been moved to London, On. I was invited to participate again, but regretfully, I had to decline. I will be in Nova Scotia with my family at that time. So it’s a very happy trade-off. That being said, I still think that they are great people and absolutely want to support them in any way that I can. So today, I will bring you the nominees for the awards and some of the really fun stuff going on because, this year, there are a couple of new events happening!

Since Thursday is the new Friday, everything gets rolling on June 8th at the Purple Hill County Hall. Presented by Country 107.3, The Legacy Show features a lineup of Canadian talent that has helped pave the way for artists in Ontario and Canada in general. It includes: Charlie Major, Genevieve Fisher, Kiley Joe Masson, Marie Bottrell, The Good Brothers, Wendell Fergusson and special guest Aaron Pritchett. Doors open at 6 pm and the show begins at 7 pm. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling 519-461-0530 or emailing purplehillcountryhall@gmail.com.

If you are a sports fan, perhaps you’d like to take in the Artists vs. Media Charity Softball Game. Being held on Friday, June 9th at Labbatt Memorial Park, doors open at 6 pm and game time is 7 pm. Entrance fee is “pay what you can” (donation). A portion of the proceeds will be going to support the Unison Benevolent Fund and a portion will go to a local charity. The anthem will be sung by The Small Town Girls. At 9 pm there will a concert center field featuring Genevieve Fisher, Leah Daniels and The Abrams. Who can you expect to see sweating it out on the field? The artist roster currently includes: Aaron Pritchett, Dani Strong, Gavin Slaight, Genevieve Fisher, James Barker Band, Jason Blaine, Jason McCoy, Leah Daniels, River Town Saints and The Abrams. What a fantastic (and fun) way to get out and support a great cause. If you know anything about Chris Labelle and Jason McCoy, it is safe to say shenanigans will probably ensue.

Leah Daniels

That weekend will also see the R2I (Road To Independence) Spring Tune Up Conference on Saturday June 10th and Sunday June 11th. This year, the conference will be held in the Delta London Armouries. This is a phenomenal two-day conference full of advice, learning and mentoring. Participants will be able to partake in panels and receive one-on-one coaching on digital marketing, navigating Nashville, songwriting, promotion, funding, and more. The stories and pointers that the artists and professionals provide is really invaluable. Even as a blogger, I found that I walked away with things that I have employed that I know have helped. For more information and tickets, please visit www.cmaontario.ca.

Get ready to kick up your boots on Saturday night with the New Faces Showcase and Concert! This gives some up-and-comers an opportunity to show their stuff. The showcase lineup is still to be announced, but there will be a concert performance by River Town Saints and Eric Ethridge. Eric is the CCMA 2016 Discovery Program winner and recently released his first single “Liquor’s callin’ the shots” and it is doing great! I am working on an interview I had with him. This guy is a riot and has tons of energy. So if you have a chance to take in this free concert at Market Square (Dundas St. and Market Lane) that night, I suggest you do!

Eric Ethridge

The whole weekend winds up with the 5th annual CMAOntario Awards presented by Slaight Music with support from the Ontario Media Development Corporation. Being held at Centennial Hall, this gala evening will be hosted by the very talented (and very funny) Jason McCoy and the house band for the evening will be The Western Swing Authority. Performances will include: Genevieve Fisher, Jessica Mitchell, River Town Saints, Aaron Pritchett, Jason Blaine, Cold Creek County, James Barker Band, Tim Hicks, Deric Ruttan, The Abrams, and nomination front-runner, Meghan Patrick. Doors open at 6 pm and the show begins at 7 pm. Tickets are available at www.centennialhall.london.ca.

Blue Rodeo will be receiving the Impact Award for making a long and lasting impression on the country  music and Canadian music scene alike. I am sure we can all agree that their music has woven its way into the tapestry of everyday Canadian life. This award is much deserved.

Let’s take a look at the rest of the nominees:

SINGLE OF THE YEAR:

“Beer Weather” – Cold Creek County

“Cherry Bomb” – River Town Saints

“Lawn Chair Lazy” – James Barker Band

“Still Lovin’ You” – Meghan Patrick ft. Joe Nichols

“Workin’ On Whiskey” – Jessica Mitchell

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:

Born To Love – The Lovelocks

Country Side – Jason Blaine      

Grace And Grit – Meghan Patrick

Shake These Walls – Tim Hicks

Till The Wheels Come Off – Cold Creek County

Deric Ruttan

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:

Deric Ruttan, Craig Wiseman – “Came Here To Forget” by Blake Shelton

James Barker, Gavin Slate, Travis Wood – “Lawn Chair Lazy” by James Barker Band

Jessica Mitchell, Dave Thomson, Patricia Conroy – “Workin’ On Whiskey” by Jessica Mitchell

Meghan Patrick, Patricia Conroy, Philip Barton – “Grace And Grit” by Meghan Patrick

Tim Hicks, Todd Clark, Gavin Slate, Travis Wood – “Stompin’ Ground” by Tim Hicks

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

Genevieve Fisher

Jessica Mitchell

Leah Daniels

Meghan Patrick

Tianna Woods

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

Jason Blaine

Marshall Dane

Tim Hicks

Deric Ruttan

Tebey

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR:

The Abrams

Autumn Hill

Cold Creek County

James Barker Band

River Town Saints

RISING STAR AWARD:

The Abrams

Buck Twenty

Meghan Patrick

River Town Saints

Dani Strong

ROOTS ARTIST/GROUP OF THE YEAR:

The Abrams

Jessica Mitchell

Lindi Ortega

Kelly Prescott

The Western Swing Authority

FANS’ CHOICE:

Autumn Hill

Jason Blaine

Cold Creek County

Tim Hicks

James Barker Band

River Town Saints

Meghan Patrick

Tebey

INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR:

Steve Coady – Warner Music Canada

Mike Denney – MDM Recordings

Catherine Faint – Catherine Faint Entertainment

Amanda Kingsland – Rogers Radio

Dave Woods – “In The Country”

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR:

“Bow Chicka Wow Wow” – Meghan Patrick

“Cherry Bomb” – River Town Saints

“Dance With My Daughter” – Jason Blaine

“Lawn Chair Lazy” – James Barker Band

“What Love Is All About” – Johnny Reid

RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR:

The Agenda, Leah Daniels (Leah Daniels)

Jason Barry (Dean Brody, Genevieve Fisher, The Western Swing Authority, Tianna Woods)

Dan Brodbeck (Dani Strong)

Gavin Brown (The Abrams)

Dave Thomson (Jessica Mitchell)

RADIO STATION (LARGE MARKET):

KX 94.7 (Hamilton)

BX 93 (London)

KX 96 (Oshawa)

Country 101.1 (Ottawa)

Country 104 (Woodstock)

New Country 94 (Ottawa)

RADIO STATION (MEDIUM MARKET):

Country 92.9 (Chatham)

Cool 100.1 (Belleville)

KICX 91.7 (Sudbury)

Country 104.3 (Sault Ste. Marie)

Country 93.5 (Kingston)

RADIO STATION (SMALL MARKET):

Country 103 (Little Current)

Star 96 FM (Pembroke)

KICX 106 (Orillia)

Country 107.3 (Tillsonburg)

Country 93 (Owen Sound)

If you live nearby or have the means to get out to London, this is a fantastic experience and you should be a part of it. I really enjoyed mine last year. I made some great connections and some great friends. I may not be going this year but I am already looking forward to next year. And trust me, I am there in spirit(s).

Since the weather is warming up and festival season is upon us, I think I will leave you with one of the Music Video Of The Year nominees. Performing at MTS Center here in Winnipeg on Friday May 12th in the Dean Brody “Beautiful Freakshow” tour along with Madeline Merlo, here is James Barker Band with “Lawn Chair Lazy”: