CMAO is Proud to Present The Future Stars of Canadian Country Music

The Canadian Music Association of Ontario recently held a competition for the live performance opportunity in Canadian Country Music Week celebration. With more than 50 CMAO member applicants, the hand-picked jury had a difficult time picking just 8 finalists to open for the legendary Good Brothers and The Sadies. If  you enjoy the very best in country and roots music you are in for a treat ON  Thursday September 8th  at The Studio at Hamilton Place! (1 Summers Lane, Hamilton). 

The finalists are:

Naomi Bristow
Naomi hails from the small town of Beeton, Ontario and is the youngest of the showcase acts to perform at the tender age of 13. She started out at 5 years old, with her family’s involvement in the rodeo life, which led her to the  path of country, western and cowboy music. She has recorded over four CD’s to date and last year won the ‘Fans Choice Award’ from the Havelock Jamboree. This little cowgirl has a huge voice and a big smile and is sure to capture your heart with her talent and yodeling. As Naomi says ‘why sing when you can yodel ?!”

Dawson Reigns
Dawson Reigns (Cambridge, Ontario) is the latest product of a creative fusion between rock influences and new country. Reign’s influences include Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, Montgomery Gentry, De Leppard and Bon Jovi. Quite an eclectic taste in music for a young man who is on the cusp of becoming a big country star. Dawson has been singing and performing most of his life and began his professional musical career when he started working the indie circuit in local bars and festivals. His hard work and dedication as a singer, songwriter and performer has begun to pay off on both sides of the border and around the world. It is a great choice for the CMAO show, and Dawson is sure to ‘Reign’ on the stage.  

Cadence Grace hails from Whitby, Ontario, a small town just outside of Toronto, but there is nothing small about this girl’s vocals and talent. Few things in this world are forever, but young Cadence Grace is fast and furiously proving that she intends to be in the country music scene forever. With an incredible voice and drive to match, the 25 year old is carving out a name for herself in the music scene. Keep your eyes and ears ready to be delighted and dazzled by this new rising star – Cadence Grace.

Wade Amey Wade are from Oakville, Ontario and are made up of Thomas Wade, Denise Wade and Colin Amey. Wade Amey Wade are one of Canada’s very own vocal trios, comprised of three faces that are no strangers to the country music scene. Individually, they have all made their mark and now they have joined forces to combine the right ingredients to success and to become a household name in the music industry. They are sure to make the stage their own with their unique blend of vocals and talent.

Kirsten Jones is a singer/songwriter living in Toronto, Ontario. “Life is short,” sings Kirsten Jones, sounding like she’s ready to take charge on the song “I Don’t Wanna Live Like This.” “You’re either in, or you’re in the way,” she declares, with a bold honesty that is a hallmark of all her songs. Those lines speak to the life-changing decisions that the rootsy singer/songwriter herself underwent in the years leading up to ‘The Mad Mile’, her first major release. On “I Will Love You Now,” she sings: “If I wait ‘til I’m sure/ or until my heart is pure/Then I will wait forever.”

There’s no more waiting: Kirsten Jones is sure that she’s made the album she’s been working toward her whole life—and that the world has been waiting to hear, whether they know it or not. Look out Kirsten is on her way.

Sarah Cripps is from the quiet, sleepy little town of Brighton, Ontario but there is nothing quiet about this beautiful singer/songwriter just about to burst onto the scene. Only 19 years old, but with ten years in the industry to date, there is no better time for this fresh, new artist to burst on to the music scene. Sara’s determination has led her to tour her nation  from coast to coast, and she is expecting to do so in the many years to come. With definite promise, Sara is on the road to building a long and successful career in the country music scene. She is sure to delight and mesmerize the audience of the CMAO Show.

Tia McGraff is without a doubt one of the most authentic singers and composers to come into the limelight as of late. Her voice is melodic and her lyrics remind us that we need not carry our burdens and should start living our lives in all our glory. Her vocal inflections are that of an early Linda Ronstadt (Stone Pony days) with lyrics that are intuitive and reflective of the soul. Tia is a singer’s singer and songwriter’s writer, and her fan’s choice for leading people into ‘soul-stirring’ captivation is sure to capture your heart with her warmth and honesty in her performances. Born in Port Dover, Ontario, Tia has released 5 albums since her first recording at the tender age of 19, spent time in Nashville, where she met her partner in life and song, and returned to Canada. We are glad she did.
 
The Abrams Brothers are from Kingston, Ontario and are fourth-generation musicians with musical roots reaching back to their great-grandparents. And despite their age, veteran is certainly not a word out of reach given their credits. They’ve been touring together for almost a decade – and in the past few years, have become Canadian festival favourites.  In 2005, the Ontario-based group became the youngest Canadians to appear on Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry.  They’ve toured Europe, and several times have performed for the Jacob’s Ladder Folk Festival in Israel. Now it is fitting they grace the stage in their home province of Ontario, and do what they do best – perform and entertain.

This all-star future rising artists are backed by a top notch band, led by the amazing guitarist extraordinaire, Wendell Ferguson. Ferguson is a multi CCMA Award winner, and is the perfect M.D. to make these future stars shine.

The date of September 8, 2011 is an advance celebration of Country Music Week September 9-12 2011, and the CCMA Awards on September 12, 2011, all in conjunction with  Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities (HECFI), the City Of Hamilton and Tourism in celebration of our Canadian Country Artists.

Doors for the CMAO event open at 6pm with the show starting at 7pm. Tickets are $32.50 and are available at www.ticketmaster.ca and Copps Coliseum Box Office.

We encourage all country music fans and supporter of our Canadian artists to support and attend this amazing line-up of new talent and legendary performers, The Good Brothers.

C’mon buy some tickets – it’ll be ‘Good’ for ya!
Visit www.cmaontario.ca

See Also: CMAO Delivers the Goods