Meghan Patrick, Reklaws lead with six nominations each in 2020 CMAO Awards

Story by Howard Druckman | Thursday April 23rd, 2020

Meghan Patrick and The Reklaws lead lead the nominations for the 2020 edition of the Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) Awards, with six apiece, closely followed by James Barker Band with five, and Tim Hicks and Tebey with four each, while Carroll Baker will receive the Impact Award. The eighth annual awards gala is slated for Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 at Centennial Hall in London, Ont.

Among their nominations, Meghan Patrick and The Reklaws are tipped for the Songwriter(s) of the Year Award, sponsored by SOCAN – as are James Barker Band, Tim Hicks, and Tebey, as follows:

  • Jessica Mitchell, for “Somebody Gonna Get Hurt,” performed by Jessica Mitchell featuring Tim Hicks
  • Meghan Patrick, Jordan Rager, and Michael Whitworth, for “Wild As Me,” performed by Meghan Patrick
  • Stuart Walker, Jenna Walker, Brad Rempel, and Ben Stennis, for “I Do Too,” performed by The Reklaws
  • Tebey, Kylie Sackley, and Matt Rogers, for “The Good Ones,” performed by Tebey & Marie-Mai
  • Tim Hicks, Emma-Lee, and Karen Kosowski, for “What A Song Should Do,” performed by Tim Hicks

Hosted by Jason McCoy and Jennifer Campbell, the 2020 CMAO Awards, presented by Slaight Music with support from Ontario Creates, will celebrate the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry across 19 categories, including the Impact Award, Nielsen Compass Award, and Holly and Steve Kassay Generous Spirit Award.

Tickets are $69 to $225 CAD (plus HST and fees) and are available online at www.centennialhall.london.ca, or by phone at 1-888-999-8980.

Photo by courtesy/courtoisie. Left to right/De gauche à droite : Red Heartbreaker, Kim Gaboury (aka Akido), Peter Chapman, Darren Fung

Attend an online conversation between three SOCAN #ComposersWhoScore

Story by Howard Druckman, with files from/avec la participation d'Olivia Cummings | Friday April 24th, 2020

Budding screen composers and others interested in the art and craft of film and TV scoring are invited to join a moderated conversation with three of Canada’s busiest #ComposersWhoScore,  as the Screen Composers Guild of Canada (SCGC) presents “From Emerging to Established” live on Zoom at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT on Monday, April 27, 2020.

Mod-career screen composers Red Heartbreaker in Vancouver, Peter Chapman in Toronto, and Kim Gaboury in Montréal will take part in the chat, moderated by Darren Fung in Los Angeles. They’ll reminisce on their journey to where they are today, and how they got their start in the business, as well as addressing such subjects as working with an agent, assistantships, mentors, finding work, work-life balance, the role of back-end income in their livelihoods, war stories, and more.

You can attend the webcast by clicking here on Monday, April 27, at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT.

Photo by courtesy/courtoisie. Alessia Cara.

“Stronger Together/Tous Ensemble” TV special airs Sunday, April 26

Story by Amal Yassir | Wednesday April 22nd, 2020

Musicians are coming together from their homes for an all-Canadian, star-studded benefit in support of front-line workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. The one-hour special will feature a mix of music and stories of hope and inspiration.

Stronger Together/Tous Ensemble will be broadcast on the CBC, CityTV, CTV, Global, ICI ARTV, SériesPlus, VRAK, and V television networks, and streamed online on platforms across Canada on Sunday, April 26, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The event will raise funds to help Food Banks Canada provide more nourishment for those in need across the country during the pandemic.

The lineup includes SOCAN members Céline Dion, Marie-Mai, Alessia Cara, Michael Bublé, Bryan Adams, Jann Arden, Sarah McLachlan, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Barenaked Ladies, and Arkells, among others.

Also making special appearances are author Margaret Atwood, astronaut Chris Hadfield, skater Tessa Virtue, TV stars Eric McCormack, Jason Priestley, Howie Mandel, Rick Mercer, Russell Peters, and Will Arnett.